This creamy date caramel is a delicious dairy-free and naturally sweetened alternative to caramel. Enjoy as a dip, use it as a topping for desserts or add to smoothies.

A jar of date caramel next to dates and a spoonful of salt on a wooden board.

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Ingredient tips
Step by step pictures
Substitutions and variations
Serving
Storage
More vegan recipe ideas
Recipe

This easy vegan date caramel sauce is a delicious naturally sweetened alternative to caramel.

Dates are rich in natural sugars so they make a brilliant base for a refined-sugar-free caramel!

This date caramel recipe is:

Dairy-free
Gluten-free
Naturally sweet
Really easy
And quick to make!

Ingredient tips

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy date caramel:

Ingredients for date caramel - dates, almond milk, nut butter, salt and vanilla extract.

Dates - For best results, choose Medjool dates which have a strong caramel flavor and soft, sticky texture.

Dairy-free milk - You can use whichever plant-based milk you prefer, gluten-free if necessary.

We used almond milk here. Full-fat coconut milk will give a richer caramel. Some recipes also just use water.

Vanilla extract - This enhances the overall taste.

Salt - Just a little to complement the sweetness of the dates.

And nut butter - This is optional for extra richness.

The healthy fats help to intensify the flavor of the dates, but some nutty taste will come through depending on which nut butter you use. Peanut butter or almond butter will have a stronger flavor, whereas cashew butter has a more neutral and mild taste.

Step by step pictures

Here's how to make date caramel. Full detailed recipe and quantities in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Step 1 - Pit the dates. Soak if necessary.

Dates, almond milk, nut butter, vanilla extract and salt in a blender.

Step 2 - Add all the ingredients into a blender or food processor.

Step 3 - Process the mixture until a smooth caramel forms. Scrape down the sides as needed. You can adjust the texture by adding extra plant milk for a thinner, pourable caramel sauce.

Top tip! If your dates are dry or you haven't got a powerful blender, soaking them in warm water for up to 30 minutes will make them softer and easier to blend.

Substitutions and variations

You can increase the amount of salt to taste to make salted date caramel.

For a nut free version, use a plant-based milk such as oat milk and omit the nut butter, or replace it with sunflower seed butter or tahini.

Serving

Here’s some delicious ways to enjoy your homemade date caramel:

As a dip for apple slices for an easy sweet treat.
Drizzle onto vegan ice cream. (Great in a vegan ice cream sundae too!)
On a vegan snack board with fruit, pretzels and dark chocolate.
Use in desserts as a healthier alternative to traditional caramel sauce. (It makes a delicious caramel layer under vegan chocolate mousse.)
Add a spoonful into smoothies for a natural boost of sweetness.
Drizzle some over your morning oatmeal or swirl through vegan yogurt.
Spread it on a slice of bread or banana bread.

You can also top it with flaky sea salt for serving.

Dipping pretzel sticks into a jar of caramel.

Storage

Keep chilled in a jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Freeze in an ice cube tray and transfer to a container when solid for convenient-to-defrost portions.

Date caramel drizzled over vanilla ice cream in a bowl.

More vegan recipe ideas

This recipe is featured in our collection of 25 Awesome Raw Vegan Desserts and Sweet Treats, be sure to browse it for more great inspiration.

And try these other delicious recipes:

Puff Pastry Apple Tart
Chocolate Mousse with Silken Tofu
Vegan Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Recipe

Easy Date Caramel Sauce

Vegan Dessert Ideas

This creamy date caramel is a delicious dairy-free and naturally sweetened alternative to caramel. Enjoy as a dip, use it as a topping for desserts or add to smoothies.

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Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Servings 6

Category Sauces and Dips

Cuisine American

Equipment

Ingredients

1 cup (150 g) Medjool dates approximately 14 large dates
¼ to ½ cup (60 to 90 ml) almond milk or other plant milk
1 tablespoon nut butter optional, see notes
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch sea salt

Instructions

First slice open the dates and remove the pits. If they seem dry, soak the dates in warm water for at least 10 minutes up to 30 minutes to make sure they are soft and moist.
1 cup (150 g) Medjool dates
Drain the dates and place them in a food processor or high speed blender.
Add the lower quantity of almond milk, vanilla extract, salt and nut butter if using.
¼ to ½ cup (60 to 90 ml) almond milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 pinch sea salt, 1 tablespoon nut butter
Blend until a smooth paste forms and scrape down the sides often as necessary using a spatula.
If the caramel is too thick, add the additional almond milk until you reach the desired consistency.
Transfer the date caramel to a serving bowl or a jar and store in the fridge.

Notes

Nut butter is optional for richness. It helps to intensify the flavor of the dates, but some nutty taste will come through depending on which nut butter you use. Peanut butter or almond butter will have a stronger flavor, whereas cashew butter has a more neutral and mild taste. Use sunflower seed butter or tahini (and a nut-free milk) for a nut free alternative.

The thickness of the caramel will depend on your dates and the amount of plant milk you add. For a thick, dipping consistency use the lower amount of plant milk. For a thinner, pourable sauce add more plant milk until you reach the constitency you want.

Nutritional Estimate Per Serving

Leave a commentI hope you loved this recipe! Leave a ★★★★★ rating and share your ideas in the comments! Vicky x