Easy raw caramel apples with only a handful of healthy ingredients! The possibility for toppings are endless. Vegan and paleo friendly too!
I used to dread making caramel sauce. It was really temperamental and there were all these things that could go wrong. Cooking it too long would make it hard as a rock. Not melting all of the sugar completely would turn it into a grainy mess, and what I did on more than one occasion, burning it…such a bummer 🙁
Every once in a while the sugar mixture would actually turn out, which meant it was time to stir in a bunch of butter and heavy cream. Then I’d proceed to gain a few pounds after licking the spoon, which had what seemed like a bazillion calories 😉
Well, I found a much better way to get my caramel fix—raw date caramel! Is it the exact same as the caramel made with sugar, butter, and heavy cream?! No. But, I think that it’s pretty close. So close that if I had to choose between the two, I’d pick the one made with wholesome ingredients any day. It’s delicious AND much healthier. That’s always a winner in my book!
The possibilities for toppings are endless! Chopped nuts, toasted coconut, and CHOCOLATE are always great choices…but really, when is chocolate ever not a good choice?! I mean, seriously, can’t even think of one.
They’re not only delicious, but they’re also super simple to make. I’m talking less than 5 ingredients and less than 5 minutes simple. Yeah, that means you could actually be eating this in just a few minutes…
Well, what are you waiting for? Go make you some and don’t forget to take a pic and tag me on Instagram so I can see your creation!
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Easy Raw Caramel Apples
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 4-6 apples 1x
Description
Easy caramel apples with only a handful of healthy ingredients! The possibility for toppings are endless!
Ingredients
- 8 oz. pitted dates
- 4–5 tablespoons water, coconut milk, or almond milk (More liquid may be needed. Milk makes it a little lighter in color.)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- pinch of salt, to taste
- 4 large or 6 smaller apples (granny smith, gala, or honey crisp are all good choices)
- popsicle sticks or other sticks of choice, one per apple
- Assorted toppings: chopped pecans, almonds, melted dark chocolate, cacao nibs, toasted coconut, flaked sea salt, mini chocolate chips, etc. (use dairy free chocolate, if needed)
Instructions
- Add dates to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until broken down. If your dates are hard, soak in water for a few hours and then drain for better blending. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water/milk and blend until creamy. Continue to add liquid as need, one tablespoon at a time until caramel reaches your desired consistency. I prefer my caramel to be thicker, like almond butter, because I find it stays on the apples better than a more runny caramel. Add vanilla and salt, to taste, and blend until creamy.
- Place a popsicle stick into the core of each apple. Use a butter knife or off-set spatula to spread caramel evenly over each apple. Cover with desired toppings—chopped nuts, cacao nibs, toasted coconut—and then drizzle melted chocolate over toppings, optional. A good trick to get a nice drizzle is to place melted chocolate into a sandwich baggie and cut a small tip off the bottom corner and use the baggie like a piping bag. Squeeze chocolate out of the small hole of the baggie to get a thin chocolate line, perfect for drizzling!
- Place apples, bottom down, on a parchment lined plate or tray and refrigerate for at least 10-15 minutes to get chocolate and caramel to firm, although apples can also be eaten right away. Wrap leftovers in plastic wrap/bags or an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Category: Healthy, Dessert, Vegan
You may also enjoy these similar recipes:
Salted Caramel & Chocolate Popcorn Clusters
Salted Caramel Coffee Creamer and Iced Latte
Vegan Caramel Macadamia Nut Bites
Wow! These look absolutely delicious, Joscelyn! Your photos are STUNNING!!! 🙂
Aww, thank you so much, Sina!
This is awesome! I’ve never made date caramel before…genius! I too have experienced the annoyances and stinkiness of burned sugar! Boo. And. I seriously heart that cake stand! Give meeeeeee! 😉
Girl, you must try it sometime! Date caramel is too yummy not to enjoy on a regular basis 🙂 I LOVE my new cake stand! Found it at Marshall’s. Give me all the wooden kitchen items, haha! Thanks for stopping by, sweet friend! Have a lovely week!
I love, love, love caramel apples! These look delicious and your photographs are beautiful!!
Me too, Lori! Thank you for the sweet compliment! 🙂
I love caramel apples!!! These sound so delicious – and such a great healthy alternative too! The chocolate drizzles on top looks so beautiful <3
Thanks, Harriet! Caramel apples are so yummy aren’t they?! I love that I can still enjoy them with healthier ingredients too! 🙂
These look amazing!! I love caramel and candied apples this time of year. They’re my favorite fall treat.
Me too, Keating! Thanks for stopping by!
Fallen in love with these caramel apples… Amazing clicks..
Thank you so much! Really appreciate the compliment!
Oh my goodness, these look amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Marielle!
I had no idea you could use dates this way! Love your pictures, they are gorgeous!
Thank you, Emily! I know, dates are so versatile!
Hi Joscelyn! Love this like always! Looks sooo delicious!
Thank you so much, Danica!
These sound delicious. Your pictures and your apples look gorgeous too. Pinning.
Thank you, Shann Eva! I appreciate the pin too!
Yummm… such a great way to spice up a simple apple out there! I love how it turned out 😀
Thank you, Erika! They were really delicious!
Wow! These raw caramel apples are fanstastc, Joscelyn. Love the substitute. And these clicks are seriously making me drool. I so want to grab 3-5 of these stunning apples right away. 🙂
Thank you, Anu! That’s how I feel about your pictures too! 😉
Ha, had no idea you could use dates for this! I bet they were delish as they look! And I hear you on the melted caramel struggle/ Last week, I made some for a caramel apple bar; they turned out well, but hardened super fast before I could put it on some of the apples!
Yes, caramel is so temperamental, isn’t it! Frustrating when it hardens too fast!
WOW! In love with this. Beautiful clicks.
Thank you so much, Kushi!
I love this idea and have not seen it anywhere before. YUMMY! We’re actually away at my parents’ for Halloween, but I may still try and make these if I have a chance. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, friend! I hope you all enjoy the holiday with your family!
Woah! When I saw your shot on Instagram, I wasn’t expecting date caramel- such a cool idea! And so true about making real caramel- half of it would make its way into my mouth before whatever I was making it for…oops. Thanks for sharing! I’ll need to try this on some other fruit 🙂
Aww, darn those food allergies! I’m not sure if you’re allergic to pears as well, Minna, but it’s good on those too 🙂 Thank you for your sweet words, dear friend!
What a great substitute! Have you tried it in other recipes?
I usually make date caramel as a dip for fruit, but I’ve seen dates used a lot in baking too!
Love love love these! I think I may make chopped Apple versions tonight!
Thank you so much! I hope you like them!
Umm, yes please!!! This post is SO great! How inspiring to eat a delicious treat all while using healthy ingredients! Truly brilliant! They look insanely delicious *drool*
Thanks, girl! I remember that giant caramel apple you shared with all of us that one time long ago. It was so good 🙂
These are so cool! And so pretty. I almost wouldn’t want to bite into one!!
Aww, thank you, Annie!
Joscelyn, I love this! I didn’t know you could make caramel sauce from dates! I usually make caramel apples for Halloween, but I didn’t this year because I didn’t want the temptation around. These are perfect, I can’t wait to try the recipe! My fiance will be very happy too!
Thank you, Stacey! Yes, I know, I tried date caramel for the first time last year and was amazed at how delicious it was! Much better to have around since it’s all natural and full of fiber and other nutrients too. I hope you and your fiancé like it! 🙂
They look good 🙂
Thank you, Marvina! They were really good!