Name: Easy Raw Caramel Apples
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
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)

Description

Easy caramel apples with only a handful of healthy ingredients! The possibility for toppings are endless!

Ingredients

Scale

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)

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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