This quick and easy Date Caramel Recipe made from delicious Medjool dates is perfect for topping healthy treats or fabulous as a dip.
Medjool Dates
Sweet and delicious, Medjool dates provide a lovely, rich flavour along with a load of vitamins and minerals including potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and more. With only five ingredients, there is no cream or butter, making this simple recipe dairy-free, egg-less, gluten-free, nut-free and vegan!
The best dates to use in this recipe are fresh, moist Medjool dates. If you feel your dates are too dry or hard, they won’t blend up very well. To overcome this, they will require to be softened by soaking in warm water before using.
Caramel Variations
- Instead of coconut milk, try using almond milk
- Try subbing out some of the milk for maple syrup or golden syrup
- Add 1 to 2 TBSP of natural peanut butter to the mixture for a nuttier caramel
- Vanilla paste can be used instead of vanilla extract at a ratio of 1:1
Using Date Caramel
This date caramel can be used
- As a sweetener in many dishes
- Mix through yoghurt and ice cream
- As a healthy dip for snacks including apples, pears and other fruits
- Swirled through brownies or cookies before baking
- As a spread on banana bread or in sandwiches
- Use as an icing or middle layer in cakes
- On oatmeal, porridge and muesli
- Spoon over baked apples
- As a topping for pancakes, waffles, or crêpes
- In smoothies, shakes and fruit leathers
- As a substitute for maple syrup in muffin/cupcake recipes
- As a topping for scones
Storing Homemade Date Caramel
For maximum freshness, store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
For a longer term option, try freezing it for a month or two in a freezer-safe container or in individual servings using an ice cube tray. To use, defrost in the fridge overnight and stir before using.
Syrup & Extract Recipes
Making Date Caramel
To make this caramel, you will need:
- 15 Medjool Dates – pitted
- ½ Cup Full Fat Coconut Milk
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon – optional
Remove the pits from all of the dates, then add the dates to a small bowl.
Pour boiling water over the dates to just cover them. Let soak for 15 minutes.
Drain the water from the dates and add the dates to a food processor or a high-speed blender.
Add the milk and blend for 2 minutes. If you find this mixture it too thick, add additional milk, 1 TBSP at a time until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Scrape down the sides of the food processor and add the vanilla, salt and ground cinnamon.
Blend for 1 minute.
Let sit until it is completely cool, then add to a jar with a tight-fitting side.
Enjoy!
Date Caramel
Simple Living. Creative LearningIngredients
- 15 Medjool Dates Pitted
- ½ Cup Full Fat Coconut Milk Or Almond Milk
- ½ tsp Vanilla Extract
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Ground Cinnamon Optional
Instructions
- Remove the pits from all of the dates, then add the dates to a small bowl.
- Pour boiling water over the dates to just cover them. Let soak for 15 minutes.
- Drain the water from the dates and add the dates to a food processor or a high-speed blender.
- Add the milk and blend for 2 minutes. If you find this mixture it too thick, add additional milk, 1 TBSP at a time until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Scrape down the sides of the food processor and add the vanilla, salt and ground cinnamon.
- Blend for 1 minute.
- Let sit until it is completely cool, then add to a jar with a tight-fitting side.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. The values may vary according to the ingredients and tools that are used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed information.
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