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    Salted Plains » Recipes » Condiments, Dips, & Sauces

    How to Make Date Caramel

    Published: Sep 19, 2022 by Tessa · This post may contain affiliate links · 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Learn how to make date caramel for a healthier alternative to traditional caramel recipes. Use on cookies, cakes, brownies, bars, ice cream, and more! Made with just 4 ingredients. Gluten-free and vegan.

    Homemade date caramel in a glass jar sitting on a white plate with a knife that has been dipped in the date caramel.

    Date caramel is a revelation. 

    Just like the sweet, decadent texture and taste of the traditional confection, this is the refined sugar-free healthy alternative you will love. 

    So, think cookies, brownies, bars, cakes, and ice cream. The possibilities are delicious.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • Step-by-step instructions
    • Tips
    • Equipment
    • Serving suggestions
    • FAQs
    • Recipes with dates
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Dates are naturally sweet, meaning you don't need a ton of added sugar. That's why they're called nature's candy!
    • The rich color of dates means this sauce has a fantastic color!
    • Combining dates and maple syrup make the perfect vegan option for a sweet, sticky sauce.
    • Simple ingredients - only 4 needed!

    Ingredients and substitutions

    Dates, almond milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract all in separate bowls.

    Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.

    Medjool dates- These dates blend easily when soaked and have beautiful color in the sauce. Other types of dates, such as deglet will work too, but they may need to soak longer beforehand.

    Coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk- Vegan options that still add lots of creaminess. No heavy cream here!

    Choose the one you prefer the taste but any non-dairy milk will do. Soy milk, oat milk, or rice milk can keep things nut-free.

    Maple syrup- A vegan sweetener, the color and flavor pair nicely with that of the dates.

    Vanilla extract- Always use pure vanilla extract here for the best taste. Got vanilla bean paste on hand? What an upgrade!

    Step-by-step instructions

    Before you start: Soak your dates in hot water.

    Dates and almond milk with maple syrup in a blender bowl.

    Step 1: Drain water and place dates back in the blender. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth!

    Step 2: Store date caramel in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Tips

    • Medjool dates are optimal for this recipe. They soak easily and quickly. Their tawny color lends to a beautiful light golden brown when blended with the other ingredients. The natural sweetness of Medjool dates works brilliantly in these easy chocolate energy date balls!
    • Pitted dates make things even easier.
    • You can certainly use other types of dates for this recipe, but you will need to factor in a longer soak time. Soak time is essential for achieving a smooth, creamy outcome. Using hot water keeps soaking time to a minimum.
    • To make more of a vegan caramel sauce, add a little more dairy-free milk until you reach desired consistency. Or, if you need more of a natural sweetener, check out this date paste recipe.

    Equipment

    High-speed Blender - An important tool for making easy date caramel. If you don't have a high-powered blender, a food processor will work as well.

    Creamy date caramel in a small glass jar.

    Serving suggestions

    What to do with date caramel? Here are some delicious ways to use it!

    • Pair with apple slices
    • Use as filling for pop tarts
    • Spread on toast
    • Sandwich in a cookie bar
    • Add a dollop to chocolate mug cake
    • Use in between cake layers
    • Swirl in pretzel bark
    • A dollop in your coffee (add some pumpkin spice creamer, and oh my!)
    • Drizzle on top of apple crisp or blueberry pie
    • Make healthier caramel brownies

    FAQs

    How do I store the finished caramel?

    Use an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to a couple of weeks. Give it a quick stir to reincorporate before using.

    What if I don't have a blender?

    You can try using a food processor, but I'd recommend a smaller version since this recipe doesn't make a ton at once. If you are making a double batch for a party, then it should work just fine in a food processor.

    What does date caramel taste like?

    Sticky Medjool dates, coconut milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract create a sweet, caramel flavor similar to traditional caramel sauce.

    Recipes with dates

    • Chocolate covered dates on a gray plate.
      Chocolate Covered Dates
    • Samoas Cookie Bars
      Healthy Samoas Cookie Bars (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
    • Healthy Star Crunch
      Healthy Star Crunch (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
    • An apple tart drizzled with caramel sit on a wooden surface with a blue cloth.
      Gluten-Free Apple Tart

    ​​Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!

    📖 Recipe

    how to make date caramel

    Date Caramel

    Learn how to make date caramel for a healthier alternative. Use on cookies, cakes, brownies, bars, ice cream, and more! Made with with just 4 ingredients. 
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Course: Dessert, Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1 cup
    Calories: 45kcal
    Author: Tessa

    Equipment

    • High Speed Blender

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted and halved
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ⅓ cup coconut or unsweetened almond milk
    • ⅓ cup maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Place dates into a blender. Cover with hot water and allow to sit for 5 -10 minutes.
    • Drain water and place dates back in blender. Add salt, coconut milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.
    • Store date caramel in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Notes

    • You can certainly use other types of dates for this recipe, but you will need to factor in a longer soak time. Soak time is essential for achieving a smooth, creamy outcome. 
    • To make more of a vegan caramel sauce, add a little more dairy-free milk until you reach desired consistency.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 45kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SaltedPlains or tag #saltedplains!
    how to make date caramel
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brynne

      September 27, 2021 at 1:46 pm

      5 stars
      Revelation is right!

      Reply
      • Tessa

        September 27, 2021 at 1:48 pm

        So good! Thank you!

        Reply
      • Elly

        January 14, 2023 at 2:34 pm

        Is this date caramel really runny? I want to use it for cookie sandwiches but I just want to make sure it doesn’t ooze out the sides. Thank you!

        Reply
        • Tessa

          January 19, 2023 at 11:26 am

          Hi Elly! It is not a runny date caramel, but if you are using it for cookie sandwiches, you might want to reduce the coconut milk a bit. You can always add a little more to get the consistency you need.

    2. Bridget

      December 12, 2020 at 6:26 pm

      5 stars
      Hello!! This caramel tastes SO. GOOD! Thank you!!!😍🤩

      What I am wondering is if it gets firm / chewy at all??

      Reply
      • Tessa

        December 23, 2020 at 12:03 pm

        Thanks, Bridget! It won't get firm like traditional caramel will. If you reduce the almond milk, it would give you a thicker texture.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tessa! I create gluten-free, real food recipes that are approachable and delicious.

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