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    Home » Recipes » Desserts

    Published: Feb 16, 2018 · Modified: Jul 15, 2022 by Melanie McDonald · This post contains affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 33 Comments

    Date Caramel

    JUMP TO RECIPE PIN WATCH VIDEO
    5 from 24 votes
    Date Caramel

    Thick, gooey and deliciously sweet Date Caramel. No cooking and ready in minutes! This easy raw caramel is healthy, refined sugar-free & you can customize the thickness to make it as thick or thin and sauce-like as you want! 

    a jar of date caramel with a spoon

    Date Caramel? Really? Who would have thought you could make caramel from dates? Well, you can with just four ingredients, and it is rich, thick and incredibly delicious.

    In fact it is so good that you might well find yourself standing in front of your blender with a spoon for an extended period of time. This caramel is not messing around!

    In this post:

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Date Caramel?
    • Storing Date Caramel
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe FAQS
    • Recipe Video
    • Recipe
    • Reviews & Questions

    Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients you need to make your own delicious, naturally dairy-free and gluten-free vegan date caramel sauce:

    date caramel ingredients

    You could technically make this raw date caramel with just one ingredient (that would be Medjool dates) and a drop of water, but I really like to add a little extra richness in the form of some nut (or seed) butter, coconut milk (or other creamy plant milk such as oat, cashew or almond milk), vanilla and sea salt. These additions not only make the caramel richer, they also make it taste incredible!

    Peanut butter is delicious in this, but if you prefer a less obviously "nutty" flavour, use almond butter or cashew butter. Sunflower seed butter or tahini are great alternatives if you need to keep the recipe nut-free.

    Success tip - Don't skip the pinch of salt. It enhances the caramel flavor and sweetness!

    How To Make Date Caramel?

    Making vegan Date Caramel is incredibly easy. Here's how:

    1. Add dates plus the nut/seed butter, vanilla and salt to a food processor or high powered blender.
    2. Blend whilst adding coconut milk gradually until you get the texture you want. The consistency is customizable. Adjust it to suit whatever you plan to do with it by adding more or less coconut milk.
    a jar of date caramel with no lid

    Success tip - If your dates are dry and hard or you have a less powerful blender or food processor that you think might struggle a bit, you can soak the dates in warm water for ten minutes prior to blending everything. That will make it easier and give you much smooth results.

    Storing Date Caramel

    Date Caramel will keep in the refrigerator for up to 14 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months. Freezing in an ice cube tray makes it quick and easy to defrost a small portion.

    Serving Suggestions

    Use date caramel sauce just as you would regular caramel sauce. It's great for drizzling on just about anything. Some ideas include:

    • Healthy Caramel Cookie Cups
    • Caramel Chia Seed Puddings
    • Vegan Caramel Eggs
    • On pancakes or waffles
    • Drizzled over oatmeal or on toast
    • With ice-cream
    • Used as a dip for fresh fruit like apple slices, banana or strawberries, or even some salty pretzels.
    • In brownies or cakes
    • Swirled through Dessert Chocolate Hummus - Remember Rolos? That's what this combo tastes like!
    a jar of date caramel

    Recipe FAQS

    Does date caramel taste like caramel?

    Medjool dates are really sweet and sticky with a deep caramel taste. When blended up in this recipe with the added richness of coconut milk, nut butter and salt, the resulting sauce is intensely sweet, nutty and caramel-like. If you didn't know it was made from dates I don't think you would guess. It's just really, really delicious and I highly recommend you try it!

    Can I use another type of date?

    Medjool dates are best because they are the softest, stickiest and most caramel-like. They also blend easily. Other varieties are harder to get completely smooth and won't make such a sweet , gooey caramel. If you have to use a different variety, I recommend soaking in hot water for 10 minutes to soften them before proceeding with the recipe.

    If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it by leaving a comment and rating below! And be sure to join my mailing list for more deliciousness!

    Recipe Video

    Recipe

    a jar of date caramel with a drizzle falling off a spoon

    Date Caramel

    Author: Melanie McDonald
    5 from 24 votes
    Thick, gooey and deliciously sweet Date Caramel. No cooking and ready in minutes! This easy raw caramel is healthy, refined sugar-free & you can customize the thickness to make it as thick or thin and sauce-like as you want!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    PREP TIME: 10 minutes minutes
    TOTAL TIME: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings (makes about 1 cup total)

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 packed cup (175 grams) Medjool dates , measured after pitting (about 10 to 11 dates)
    • 2 tablespoons nut or seed butter , or tahini
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • Approximately 8 tablespoons creamy plant milk , I like to use canned coconut milk

    RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

    • Blendtec Blender
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    INSTRUCTIONS
     

    • Add the dates, nut/seed butter, vanilla and salt to a food processor or high powered blender. Blend until completely smooth, while gradually adding the plant milk to get the caramel to the thickness you want. The more milk you add the thinner the caramel will become. 
    • Scrape the caramel from the bowl and into a jar with a spatula.

    NOTES

    Success tip - If your dates are dry and hard or you have a less powerful blender or food processor that you think might struggle a bit, you can soak the dates in warm water for ten minutes prior to blending everything. That will make it easier and give you much smooth results.
    Storage - Date Caramel will keep in the refrigerator for up to 14 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months. Freezing in an ice cube tray makes it quick and easy to defrost a small portion.

    NUTRITION

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 174kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 167mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 3gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 65IUCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Rate it & leave your feedback in the comments section below!

    This recipe was originally published on February 16th, 2018. The post has since been rewritten and republished. The recipe remains the same. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for following A Virtual Vegan!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Josephine says

      June 20, 2022 at 11:46 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious, turned out amazing. Could live off the date caramel sauce.....definitely will make again.

      Reply
    2. Arlene says

      January 30, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      Why is salt important? I am on a low sodium diet.

      Reply
      • Melanie McDonald says

        January 31, 2022 at 10:18 am

        Salt enhances flavour and sweetness.

        Reply
    3. Patty says

      May 26, 2021 at 6:11 pm

      5 stars
      The best date caramel!! Delicious!!

      Reply
      • Margarita says

        August 21, 2022 at 11:46 am

        5 stars
        Mmmm the best caramel!!!
        Thanks Melani😍😍😍

        Reply
    4. Eric says

      December 09, 2020 at 7:46 pm

      5 stars
      Looove this recipe for all kinds of uses !! Healthier cups #1 of course but a close #2 is to dip apples in but I put it on ice cream, in cookies and a bunch of other stuff

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        December 09, 2020 at 7:58 pm

        I'm really pleased you're enjoying it Eric, and thanks so much for leaving a review. It's much appreciated!

        Reply
    5. Shucheeta says

      June 13, 2020 at 11:27 pm

      How long can i store this sauce in the refrigerator ?

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        June 15, 2020 at 12:36 pm

        It keeps for about 2 weeks. It also freezes well.

        Reply
    6. Vanessa M. says

      April 18, 2020 at 9:41 am

      5 stars
      OMGosh.
      SO. GOOD.
      Absolutely delicious. I'm book marking this as a keeper. Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        April 18, 2020 at 9:53 am

        So pleased you enjoyed it Vanessa!

        Reply
    7. Linda says

      March 10, 2019 at 2:10 pm

      5 stars
      This is so good! Thanks for this sweet nutty salted caramel. Just made it. Great and so easy to make.

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        March 11, 2019 at 10:26 am

        I'm so pleased you enjoyed it Linda!

        Reply
    8. Kendra says

      July 23, 2018 at 11:33 am

      5 stars
      I had some dates to use up. Such a good recipe!

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        July 23, 2018 at 4:50 pm

        Thank you Kendra. Glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    9. Khadijah says

      May 26, 2018 at 3:15 pm

      I have a question if I am allergic to almonds can I use different milk for example cows or is that a bad idea.

      Btw I am not allergic to almonds I just don't like them. But
      Love this recipe

      Reply
    10. Jeannette Nussbaumer says

      May 05, 2018 at 4:16 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing and delicious! I tweaked it a little for my taste, by adding more vanilla and used vanilla paste instead. I also used coconut cream with some h20. Almond butter lends a nice texture and mild flavor as well. So happy I found this recipe! Thank you for sharing :-) look forward to adding to smoothies, oats, and homemade yogurt!

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        May 05, 2018 at 6:44 pm

        So glad you enjoyed it Jeanette!

        Reply
    11. Sue Williams says

      March 16, 2018 at 4:57 pm

      Could you freeze this ??

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        March 18, 2018 at 5:59 pm

        You can. It freezes really well and stays quite soft in the freezer.

        Reply
        • Sue Williams says

          March 22, 2018 at 3:09 am

          Thank you for that :-) Dates purchased now look forward to making it x

          Reply
    12. Holly says

      March 15, 2018 at 8:25 pm

      5 stars
      Whoa. I just made this and it is SO DELICIOUS!! Thank you! I can't wait to share it with my family.

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        March 15, 2018 at 8:48 pm

        Yay! That's awesome. So glad you like it!

        Reply
    13. mar says

      February 28, 2018 at 7:22 am

      What can you substitute the coconut cream with?

      Reply
    14. Sarah De la Cruz says

      February 25, 2018 at 9:57 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! We loved it!!!

      Reply
    15. Sarah McMinn says

      February 21, 2018 at 8:03 am

      5 stars
      Yum! This date caramel sauce is so good and I am eating it on everything!

      Reply
    16. Mary Ellen says

      February 20, 2018 at 6:08 am

      5 stars
      Such an awesome idea to use dates Mel! I made a big batch for Easter and my family put it on everything!

      Reply
    17. Becky Striepe says

      February 18, 2018 at 12:06 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my gosh, I need this over my next bowl of ice cream!!

      Reply
    18. Vanessa Cassani says

      February 17, 2018 at 3:15 pm

      Wow, looks great to enjoy with some apples and bananas! I can't wait to try this snack for my kids, I know they would love it.

      Reply
    19. Louise says

      February 16, 2018 at 1:13 pm

      5 stars
      Lovely flavour. My food processor is not the most powerful, so the texture wasn’t totally smooth, but it didn’t matter. Will definitely make this again. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • A Virtual Vegan says

        February 16, 2018 at 2:12 pm

        Thank you Louise. I'm so glad you like it. Did you try soaking the dates in warm water for a little while before? If you didn't try it next time as it will get them really soft and make it easier to get a smoother result.

        Reply
        • Louise says

          February 16, 2018 at 2:27 pm

          The dates I used were very soft, but I will soak them next time and see if that makes a difference.

          Reply
    20. Freya says

      February 16, 2018 at 10:33 am

      This looks AMAZING and I literally love all the suggestions you gave to use it with. I think I'd have to try it on pancakes first! :)

      Reply

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    Melanie McDonald

    I'm Melanie McDonald (but you can call me Mel), best-selling cookbook author and creator of A Virtual Vegan. I share well-tested, flavour-packed vegan recipes with clear, step-by-step instructions. My goal is to give you the confidence to cook amazing vegan food from scratch.

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