Epic Date Caramel Recipe (5 ingredients!)

Do Dates Taste Like Caramel?

Dates are commonly used in vegan caramel recipes, because particular varieties, like Medjool dates, tend to have a subtle, caramel-like flavor. Their color even looks like a dark caramel!

Since they are also packed with fiber, I think dates make an excellent alternative to sugar. Be sure try my date paste recipe, Date Energy Balls, and my Healthy Birthday Cake for more delicious ways to use dates!

How to Make this Healthy Caramel Dip

Making date caramel is just about as easy as it gets! Just add everything to a blender, and blend until smooth.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Dates
• Maple Syrup
• Peanut Butter (or almond butter)
• Water
• Salt

The maple syrup is optional, but highly recommended if you want a truly caramel-flavored dip. (One that will please picky eaters!)

I like to use as little water as possible for blending, so start with only 1/4 cup, then stop and scrape down the blender to make sure the dates get totally broken down. I use 1/4 cup of water when I want a thicker caramel, like one that might be spread into a candy bar.

Use 1/2 cup of water for an even smoother texture, that you can use as a dip for apples. (The dip pictured here uses 1/2 cup of water total.)

Since you can taste this recipe as you go, it’s very flexible! You can leave out the peanut butter or almond butter, for a fat-free dip, or add in extra salt, or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten up the flavors.

Feel free to adjust it to your tastes!

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4.65 from 34 votes

Epic Date Caramel Recipe (5 ingredients!)

Date Caramel is a fast & easy recipe, calling for only 5 ingredients. It's the best dairy-free & vegan caramel dip, and can be served with sliced apples, or used as a frosting for your favorite cake!

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword date caramel

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 150kcal

Author Megan Gilmore

Equipment

Vitamix

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup squishy Medjool dates , pitted (about 6 oz.)
• 1/4 cup peanut butter (see notes)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup , plus extra for desired texture
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt , or more to taste
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup water

Instructions

• If the dates aren't already soft and squishy, cover them with hot water for 15 minutes to help them soften up. Drain the water, then transfer the dates to the blender.
• Add in the peanut butter, maple syrup, salt, and 1/4 cup of water. Blend, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed, until the dates have broken down. Add up to 1/4 cup more water to help with blending. When you use 1/2 cup water total, the caramel will have a consistency that's perfect for dipping. For a thicker caramel, use only 1/4 cup water.
• Taste and adust the flavoring, if needed, then serve right away. You can store this date caramel in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Notes

Nutrition information is for roughly 1/4 cup of the caramel dip. This information is automatically calculated, and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.

The peanut butter adds a rich, creamy texture to this dip, but if you would rather not use it, you can substitute with almond butter or sunflower seed butter. Or, you can use 1/2 cup of cashews or almonds, which will turn into a "nut butter" when you blend it! Alternatively, you can also leave out the nuts completely for a lighter, fat-free dip. Some readers have reported that coconut milk works instead of the water, to add creaminess.

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 148mg | Potassium: 228mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

If you try this date caramel recipe, please leave a comment below letting me know how you like it! And if you make any modifications, I’d love to hear about those, too. We can all benefit from your experience!

Update note: This recipe was originally posted in October 2012, and was updated October 2020. The new version tastes SO much better than the original, so I hope you’ll give it a try!

Original recipe below:

• 3/4 cup dates (add more if you need extra sweetness)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup water, plus more as needed to blend
• 1 cup cashews (optional, for creaminess– you’ll need more water in this case)

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Reader Feedback: What’s your favorite dip for fruit? Try my Brownie Batter Hummus or Homemade Nutella for two more delicious options!