Easy Date Caramel Sauce (Rich And Creamy)
Indulge in the rich flavor and creamy texture of this quick and easy Date Caramel Sauce. It’s the perfect dessert dip or dessert topping for autumn/fall get-togethers and is made with nothing more than a handful of whole, natural ingredients.
In This Article
Nutritional Benefits
Dates are an excellent and delicious source of natural sweetness and provide plenty of nutrition too. Most notably they’re rich in fibre, copper and antioxidants (polyphenols, carotenoids plus more!), while also containing potassium, magnesium, iron and vitamin B6 in smaller amounts. This combination of nutrients means that dates support digestive health, brain function, heart health and are also anti-inflammatory.
Ingredients – What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe
Crafted with simple, wholesome ingredients, this recipe offers a delicious and healthier alternative to store-bought caramel dips or sauces. The creamy texture makes it perfect for using as a dip or for dolloping over any number of desserts. Traditional caramel recipes often include butter, and some may use cream cheese or nuts. This version is both nut and dairy free and will generally suit most allergies and intolerances.
- Pitted Medjool dates – the main ingredient and the best type of date to use. The natural caramel flavors shine through in this variety.
- Coconut milk – Use the canned, full-fat version for the best taste.
- Brown sugar, pure maple syrup, or coconut sugar – this further helps to create the caramel profile.
- Vanilla extract – adds depth, warmth and richness to the taste of the caramel.
- Sea salt – helps to balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients.
It’s worth noting that coconut milk does strongly contribute to the flavour profile of this recipe. If you would prefer a more clean caramel flavour minus the coconut notes replace this with oat milk or almond milk. Soy milk or any of the other non-dairy milk would work too – just be mindful of the flavours they may add.
How To Make An Easy Caramel Date Sauce
This simple and satisfying date caramel recipe will indulge your sweet tooth and provide plenty of health benefits. With just a few pantry staples and a little time to soak the dates, you’ll have a rich and flavorful caramel dipping or dolloping sauce to enjoy on your favorite desserts.
- Soak the dates in warm water for 30 minutes. This helps soften them, and make them much easier to blend.
- Drain the dates and gently squeeze off the excess water then add them to a high-powered blender.
- Tip in the remaining ingredients and blend on high for a couple of minutes or until they create a thick dip/sauce. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender a couple of times to reach your desired consistency.
To serve – dollop it over nice cream, add to yogurt bowls, or spread over chocolate cake. You can also add it to a dessert platter or try it one of my favorite ways – simply dip apple slices into it and enjoy!
Substitutions And Variations
Make this a simple date paste to use as a substitute sweetner. Simply soak the dates then blend with a little pinch of salt. You may need to add a tablespoon or two of the soaking water to achieve the desired creamy consistency. Don’t add too much or the paste will start to lose flavour. This is also delicious used as a jam.
Try this recipe with some added extras. Things like a little cinnamon, half a cup of almond butter, cashew butter, or peanut butter all go perfectly with the dates. Just add them to the blender with the other ingredients. Even stirring through some dark chocolate chips is delicious and something the chocolate lover in your life will adore.
Tips For Success With This Recipe
While there are many different varieties of dates available depending on your location, Medjool are the best choice for this recipe. They’re thick, rich, and creamy with a natural caramel taste.
If you have very fresh, soft dates there is no need to soak them. If those you have are hard or even feel a little firm it’s important not to skip on soaking them or you won’t achieve that creamy, silky texture. It will also leave you with large chunks of date that refuse to break down. Even soaking them in hot water for a minimum of 5-10 mins if you don’t have time for the full 30, will make a difference. Do remember to gently squeeze any excess moisture form the dates before adding them to the blender.
Storing/Freezing
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. The caramel will thicken up in the fridge so to make it creamy again just add a small amount of milk and whisk it in.
This can be frozen though it’s best to freeze in individual portions using an ice cube tray. When you want to use it, pop out one or two cubes and defrost in a small bowl in the fridge overnight. Next day, you may want to whisk in a little milk to revive that creamy texture.
FAQ
Date caramel tastes very similar to traditional caramel but they’re not exactly the same. The sweetness and texture are comparable, though the overall flavour profile is much softer and a little earthier.
Any non-dairy milk will work perfectly well in this recipe. The coconut does contribute to the flavour, but it’s equally delicious without it.
Yes, you definitely can. Medjool are the best choice for taste and texture however, any dates will work. Just be sure to soak them and note it may take more than 14 dates to make a cup for smaller varieties.
More Dessert Recipes
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Easy Date Caramel Sauce (Rich And Creamy)
Equipment
- 1 Food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (about 14 dates)
- ½ cup coconut milk (see note 1)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1.5 tsp sea salt
- 2 tbsp coconut sugar (brown sugar or maple syrup are also fine)
Instructions
- Place the pitted dates in a heat proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave to soak for 30 minutes (see note 2).
- Drain the dates and gently squeeze out any excess moisture. Add them to the bowl of a food processor or blender with all the remaining ingredients.
- Blend on high for a minute or two or until the date caramel is silky smooth and creamy. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender and re-blend several times to achieve this consistency.
- Serve as a dessert dip with apple slices, spread over cake or pancakes, dollop it on your yoghurt or use it to add lots of flavour to any of your favourite desserts.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Gabby Campbell
Gabby is a degree qualified Naturopath/Nutritionist (BHSc Nat) with a love of all whole foods. She started her Naturopathic career in clinical practice before making the move to recipe development and online education – a result of wanting to combat the misinformation that abounds on the internet about food and health. Whole Natural Kitchen aims to transform the way you think about healthy eating by helping you embrace an abundance of nutritious foods while leaving the health fads behind. MORE ABOUT GABBY