Thick, creamy, dreamy date caramel. Made with just three simple ingredients.
Today’s post is going to be short and SWEET. Just like this scrumptious 3 ingredient date caramel (vegan and gluten-free).
Alex and I were conversing about what sort of recipe I should create for Valentine’s Day. We wanted to give you something easy and delicious, something fast and pretty, and something that even your kids could make. Long story short—you’ll believe that when you see it—I made a 3 ingredient date caramel.
The real Valentine’s Day recipe that I’m going to share with you next week needs this recipe to make it awesome. And this recipe is indeed awesome. And easy. And fast. Kind of like a fun V-Day date. 😉
Ohhhhh, so many great jokes wrapped up in this recipe. But I’ll stop with that one. You’re welcome.
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN DATE CARAMEL
STEP ONE
To make our three ingredient date caramel you’ll need some fresh medjool dates. If you don’t have or can’t find fresh, plump, juicy dates you can always soak your shriveled up dry dates in warm water for an hour or two until they plump up. And by dry dates I don’t mean dehydrated or dried dates. I mean less than fresh.
Gosh how I wanted to make another joke in that last paragraph. Self. Control. Or, control self.
STEP TWO
Now that those gorgeous, sticky, sweet dates are ready to roll, grab some non-dairy milk.
I used unsweetened almond milk, but you can use whatever you like. You can even use water, but I find that a non-dairy milk makes it a little creamier and more like caramel.
The last ingredient you’ll need is sea salt.
Take out your food processor
or a high powered blender, like a Blendtec
or a Vitamix
.
You’re not going to have much luck if you don’t have a high powered blender or a food processor. Those dates will not turn into a smooth and creamy texture without a lot of heavy blending.
STEP THREE
Add the dates, sea salt, and three tablespoons of non-dairy milk or water and start blending. Continue adding the milk or water by the tablespoon until you get the consistency that you’re looking for.
I added eight tablespoons to get this thick caramel sauce because I used it for the recipe I’m sharing with you next week.
If you want a thinner sauce to drizzle over ice cream, oatmeal, or anything else you can think of, then keep adding liquid until you get the consistency you’re looking for.
That’s it. Three ingredients, five minutes, and you have a refined sugar-free caramel sauce that’s so good you’ll be tempted to eat it by the spoonful.
This 3 ingredient date caramel recipe makes about one full cup of date caramel.
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and it will keep for a week. Drizzle it over ice cream, put it in your morning smoothie, add it to your oatmeal, or spread it on toast. Let your imagination soar.
DATES ARE HEALTHY
FYI: Dates are not only delicious, they’re good for you. Read more about the health benefits of dates here.
Another FYI: Dates are high in calories, so if you’re trying to lose or maintain your weight, limit yourself to one date a day. About a teaspoon of this date caramel. It doesn’t sound like much, but trust me, it goes a long way.
One more FYI: If you’re an athlete and you need a boost before or during an intense workout, eat a date.
So what is the Valentine’s Day treat that I’m sharing with you next week? Here’s a hint. Turtle. ♥
Tell me:
Do you have plans for Valentine’s Day?
Have you ever had date caramel?
Are you excited for next week’s mystery recipe?
Alex and I love hearing from you. Please leave a comment and let us know what you think of our recipes. And let’s connect! Hop on over to Facebook page and give it a like, or follow us on Instagram or Twitter, and follow us and share this and other Veganosity recipes on Pinterest. We'd be so grateful if you did.
3 INGREDIENT DATE CARAMEL (VEGAN AND GLUTEN-FREE)
Ingredients
- 1 pound of medjool dates approximately 20 dates – remove pits and stems
- 8 tablespoons* of non-dairy milk or water
- ¼ teaspoon of ground sea salt
Instructions
- In a food processor or a high powered blender process the dates, milk or water, and sea salt until the dates are smooth and creamy.
- You can use water in place of a non-dairy milk but it won’t be quiet as creamy and it won’t taste exactly the same as date caramel made with milk.
- If your dates aren’t fresh (plump and squishy), soak them in warm water for an hour or two. When they feel soft and look hydrated drain and rinse them.
- This recipe makes about on full cup of date caramel. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and it will keep for a week. Drizzle it over ice cream, put it in your morning smoothie, add it to your oatmeal, or spread it on toast. Let your imagination soar.
- Enjoy!
Notes
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Jennifer Walker says
Can you post a link to your turtle truffles, please?
Linda Meyer says
Hi Jennifer! Yes, thanks for asking. We need to rewrite both posts. In the meantime, here's the link to the recipe.https://www.veganosity.com/5-ingredient-vegan-turtle-truffles-raw-gluten-free/
Rani says
Can you use coconut milk instead of water?
Linda Meyer says
Hi Rani, I'm sure that would work. Let me know how it turns out.
James Michael Hicks says
That was my first thought when I read 'dairy-free milk'!
Linda Meyer says
That's why we gave options. 🙂
Kathy Hester says
Date caramel is one of my favorites. I love it in my iced coffee, because it makes a fabulous iced caramel mocha!
Linda Meyer says
That sounds fabulous! I'm going to try it once the weather warms up. Thanks, Kathy!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
i do love dates a lot and use them in enegy bite recipes. this is a lovely idea!!!
Linda Meyer says
Hi Dixya! Yes, I've used dates in several of my energy bites recipes too. They're nutritional value is amazing. Thanks so much. 🙂
Evi says
Oh wow, this date caramel looks extremely delicious! Definitely my kind of recipe! I would put all of it on my oatmeals and add to every smoothie I make 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Evi! Yes, it's wonderful in oatmeal or spread on apple slices.
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes.com says
Yum! Love a good date caramel. Looks perfect! i'll have to try it out soon 😉
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Vanessa! Check out the turtle truffles I just posted. They're made with the date caramel. 🙂
SuzLyfe says
You are a mad genius and I love it.
Linda Meyer says
LOL! Alex gets credit for this actually. Thanks, Susie!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Oh my! Your jokes are funny! You can make caramel from dates? Whaaaaat? Whatever those turtle truffle-looking things are you have for next week need to get in my belly! Happy early V-Day! 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Why do I feel like they're not funny-haha! It's not fat and butter laden caramel, but it's pretty dang close. Perfect as a dip for apples. 😉 Thanks, Rachelle. Go Panthers!
The Vegan 8 says
Date caramel is so popular and I love that it can be used in so many things! So healthy too. Natures candy!! The turtles sound awesome!
Linda Meyer says
Haha-it was Alex's idea. I hadn't heard of it before, but I love it. So much easier than the caramel I used to make with butter and sugar. And much better for me. Thanks, Brandi!
Lori D. says
Looking forward to your "turtle" recipe next week!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Lori!
harrietemilys says
Yummmmm!!! Dates are my favourite - I could eat them all day every day! Such a great and healthy idea to use them to make a caramel. Love that it's just 3 ingredients too 🙂 this looks so delicious Linda!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Harriet! I know, I love dates too. I'll be eating a lot of them as I train for the marathon in October.
Christine (Run Plant Based) says
Such a simple and great recipe that I could eat by itself! Thanks! And just grabbed a huge box of organic dates from Costco.
Linda Meyer says
So easy! Yes, that's where I buy my dates too. Thanks, Christine!
Natalie says
I love this stuff so much <3 And eeeeeepppp TURTLES!!!!!!! Only my favorite chocolate treat ever!
Linda Meyer says
It's dangerous to have around-haha! One spoon here, another there..... Thanks, Natalie!
Strength and Sunshine says
So I've never bought dates...ever....think I should? Well if I get some yummy gummy gooey sweet caramel then YES! Hahaha! I really need to get on this date caramel bandwagon 😛
Linda Meyer says
Really?! I'm shocked! Yes, you need to jump on that bandwagon now. 🙂