Date caramel sauce- an absolutely delicious, sticky and sweet sauce made with Medjool dates. This vegan caramel recipe is refined sugar-free, nut-free, gluten-free and made with just 3 natural ingredients.
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Easy raw caramel is a perfect dip for apple slices, topping on ice cream, cakes, breakfast oats, as a sweetener in baking and drinks. It's an ideal refined sugar-free replacement for traditional caramel sauce. This is not exactly a vegan alternative to traditional caramel recipes but rather a healthier version made with simple ingredients.
This vegan date caramel sauce is an easy recipe and so versatile that its consistency can be modified depending on the purpose of its use. Going to use it as a topping? Make it a little thin and of pourable consistency. Planning to use it as a spread, dip or baked dessert? Make it a little thicker.
Dates are an essential pantry staple that comes in handy whenever the sweet cravings kick in at unusual times. Instead of nibbling on store bought snacks, these are delicious ways to munch on their own to instantly satisfy those cravings. Sticky dates are absolutely perfect as a natural sweetener in no bake desserts such or as a binding agent in no bake snack recipes such as coconut date balls, date energy bars, cookie bars.
Ingredients
- Dates: Medjool dates are perfect to make this vegan caramel sauce recipe. However, you could use any other type of juicy dates.
- Milk: I have used coconut milk but feel free to use any non-dairy milk.
- Salt: elevates the taste of the caramel sauce.
Find the quantities and a short video in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
How to make date caramel sauce?
Place the dates on a chopping board and cut each date lengthwise.
Remove the seeds and keep them aside in a bowl.
Plug in a high-powered blender.
Add 3-4 tablespoons of milk, pitted dates and salt in a blender jar. Pulse a few times until dates start to break down.
Gradually add just enough milk while processing until you get the desired consistency.
You may have to scrape the sides of the blender in between processing.
The delicious homemade 3 ingredient date caramel sauce is ready to enjoy.
Check out the delicious date snickers on the blog.
Substitutions and Variations
Dash of vanilla extract makes a lovely addition.
Add extra salt to transform it into a healthy salted caramel sauce.
If you have an extremely sweet tooth feel free to add maple syrup, agave syrup or coconut sugar.
Feel free to use any plant-based milk such as almond milk, soy milk or oat milk to make this easy date caramel.
Medjool dates are an excellent choice to make this vegan caramel. However, if you are not able to get them in any stores near you. Use other variety of dates that are soft and juicy
Serving Suggestions
Thick caramel sauce
Great as a dip on a fruit platter and to dip pretzels.
Use it in baking desserts such as cakes, cinnamon rolls, muffins and cookie bar or any other sweet treat.
Spread thick caramel on these eggless crepes instead of nutella.
Put nut butter such as sunflower seed butter, peanut butter or almond butter in a medium bowl along with caramel, stir well and spread it on toast.
Use it as a sweetener in drinks such as pumpkin banana smoothie, oatmeal banana smoothie.
Pourable date sauce
It makes a fabulous sauce to drizzle on vanilla ice cream, cheesecakes, waffles, doughnuts and pancakes instead of regular caramel sauce.
Use it in a healthy treat such as frozen yogurt. Swirl it along with strawberry sauce in strawberry yogurt bark to add a caramel layer.
It's a great idea to use this vegan sweet sauce as a sweetener in yogurt granola parfait instead of honey to make it vegan.
Storage
Fridge: This vegan caramel sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Freezer: Date caramel can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Either store it in an ice cube tray or in a freezer-friendly container. Thaw it when you need it.
Tips and Tricks
Dry dates: Ensure the dates are not dry and hard. Otherwise, you have to soak them to soften dry dates. Place dates in a large mixing bowl of warm water for at least 20 minutes or 10 minutes in hot water.
Milk: Adjust the milk to get your desired consistency.
- Is caramel sauce too thick? Add more milk.
- Is it too thin? add more pitted dates.
Salt: Just a pinch of salt brings out the true flavour so try not to skip it. Use any salt that you have on hand - kosher salt, flaky sea salt, himalayan salt.
Milk: It is essential to add milk gradually throughout the process. Otherwise, it would be difficult to get a thick sauce with a smooth texture. The amount of milk required depends on the type of dates you use and your desired consistency.
Blender: Use a high-speed blender or food processor to make this date caramel recipe.
Full-fat coconut milk: If you are using full-fat coconut milk, use the coconut cream on the top layer of the tin for the extra nutty flavour. The dreamy coconut flavour combined with the caramel flavor of dates makes this 3 ingredient date caramel sauce extra delicious.
More 3 Ingredient Recipes
White Chocolate Cranberry Fudge
KEEP IN TOUCH
Do let me know if you make this delicious 3 ingredient date caramel sauce. If you like this recipe kindly consider rating it using stars in the comment section or on the recipe card to help more people find this recipe online. You can stay up to date by following me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or subscribing to my Youtube channel. Or why not subscribe to my blog and get simple recipes straight to your inbox?
📖 Recipe Card
Vegan Date Caramel Sauce Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
1 Cup = 250ml ; 1 Tablespoon = 15ml ; 1 Teaspoon = 5ml
- 400 gms Mejdool dates
- a pinch Salt
- 200 ml Coconut milk
Instructions
- Place the dates on a chopping board and cut each date lengthwise.400 gms Mejdool dates
- Remove the seeds and keep them aside in a bowl.
- Plug in a high-powered blender.
- Add 3-4 tablespoons of milk, pitted dates and salt in a blender jar. Pulse a few times until dates start to break down.a pinch Salt, 200 ml Coconut milk, 400 gms Mejdool dates
- Gradually add just enough milk while processing until you get the desired consistency.200 ml Coconut milk
- You may have to scrape the sides of the blender in between processing.
- The delicious homemade 3 ingredient date caramel sauce is ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Is caramel sauce too thick? Add more milk.
- Is it too thin? add more pitted dates.
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