Whenever I think of fall, I remember apple cider, fresh-picked apples, and the colors of the season in Michigan. Since moving to Arizona, I still enjoy the fall, but cider mills are non-existent. So, to bring fall to Arizona, I made a vegan caramel sauce. My date caramel sauce isn't only great for dipping apples, but it can be made thinner as an ice cream sauce. Or, if you are anything like me, you can dip just about anything in this vegan caramel sauce recipe.
As many of you know, I'm not much of a dessert fan. My blog clearly illustrates my lack of a sweet tooth. But I love savory-sweet foods. And, I love vegan caramel sauce!
Although dates are a natural source of fructose, they are high in nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants. Dates are the perfect natural sweetener to replace sugar. Many of you may know, date syrup is made with dates and water blended. Therefore, dates make the ideal healthy caramel sauce.
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN CARAMEL SAUCE WITH VERY FEW INGREDIENTS
- Medjool Dates
- Natural Peanut Butter
- Vanilla Extract
- Oat Milk (or plant milk of choice)
- Pink Salt
HOW TO SOFTEN DATES FOR VEGAN CARAMEL SAUCE
Before blending the vegan caramel sauce, one trick for softening dates is to soak the dates in hot water. Even though this step is unnecessary if you use fresh dates, it also helps if you don't have a quality high-speed blender. Once drained, the dates are softer, and the pits are easier to remove, which is also necessary before blending. Of course, buying pitted dates is best, but sometimes, pitted dates are more expensive, and eliminating the pits takes seconds.
HOT...COLD...A DIP, OR A SAUCE...VEGAN CARAMEL SAUCE DOES IT ALL
When the vegan caramel sauce is blended, it is ready to serve immediately, or it can be placed in the refrigerator and serve cold. On the other hand, it can be heated in a saucepan and use as a hot dip. In addition, date caramel sauce can be thinned out by adding additional plant milk and used as a caramel sauce for vegan ice cream or on top of black bean brownies.
Another one of my favorite things to dip into date caramel dip is pretzels!
OTHER IDEAS FOR DIPPING
- Frozen bananas
- Strawberries
- Cookies
- Vegan Marshmallows
- Graham Crackers
- Nuts
- Dried Fruit
So, if you love to dip, skinny dip with some vegan caramel dip.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOME FUN FALL DESSERTS, CHECK IT OUT!
Vegan Caramel Sauce
Vegan caramel sauce is a healthy alternative to caramel made for dipping or as a sauce. Served hot or cold, vegan caramel is fabulous for fruit, cookies, pretzels, or anything you choose to dip. Or make it a sauce by adding thinning the dip to make an incredible sauce.
Ingredients
- 12-14 dates, pitted (1 cup)
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 teaspoon pink salt
- 3/4 cup oat milk (or plant-milk of choice)
Instructions
- If dates aren't fresh (or a little stiff), boil 2 cups of water in the microwave and soak dates for 5 minutes; drain.
- Remove date pits
- Place dates and all other ingredients in a high-speed blender.
- To make a thinner sauce, add more plant milk to meet your desired consistency.
- I order to heat the date caramel sauce, place it in a saucepan and heat it on low, occasionally stirring until heated through.
- Or, place the sauce in the refrigerator and serve cold.
- Choose your dippers.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
NutriBullet Pro 900 Hi-Speed Blender/Mixer, 9-piece Set -
McCormick All Natural Pure Vanilla Extract, 1 fl oz -
The Spice Lab Himalayan Salt - Coarse 2.2 Lb / 1 Kilo - Pink Himalayan Salt is Nutrient and Mineral Dense for Health - Gourmet Pure Crystal - Kosher & Natural Certified -
Bard Valley, Dates Medjool Pitted Organic, 12 Ounce -
Dandies, Vegan Marshmallows, Vanilla, 10 oz
Nutrition Information
Yield
12 servingsServing Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 64Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 159mgCarbohydrates 9gFiber 1gSugar 7gProtein 2g
Hi! My name is Kathy, I am a retired high school English teacher & vegan enthusiast and blogger. My entire blog is fully plant-based vegan. I truly believe what we eat & how we live determines our health & the preservation of our planet! 🙂
ACC
The date caramel dip looks wonderful. I am wondering if there might be a way to make caramel apples with date caramel but it's probably the wrong consistency (?). Also wondering if you were to blend the caramel with tofu, if it would make a yummy cake frosting. I welcome your thoughts!
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Amelia, I tried caramel apples, but the consistency doesn't work. The only way it works is to use coconut oil, which I don't cook with. As for the frosting, I think that sounds like a great idea. Let me know if it works. Thank you for reaching out.
Donna Macintosh
I just made this and it's sooo yummy. I believe that I just found a new keeper as a recipe. I made it 'as is' but next time I'm also going to throw in a frozen banana which I always seem to have for smoothies.
Kathy Carmichael
Hi Donna, I'm so glad you like the vegan caramel sauce. I love the idea of the frozen banana. Let me know how it turns out. Thank you for the feedback. appreciate it.