I don’t know about you…. But I love the sweet and salty combo.
Fries in milkshake? Yes please.
Ice cream and crisps? Yes please.
Caramel popcorn? I want it all.
Salted caramel rice cakes? I could eat the whole package at once.
I am a huge fan of salted caramel but I have never made or bought a vegan kind. I think I have eaten brownies with salted caramel sauce in a restaurant, but never tried making my own.
I am pretty sure it is easy to make your own… Brown, coconut milk or soya cream, vanilla and sea salt. Boil it together and make some caramel.
But as I had bought a bunch of dates and I knew date caramel was a thing I thought…. Why not try making salted date caramel?
And I can say….. it was so yummy. Of course, it was not as smooth as maybe a regular caramel sauce or a store bought one as dates has a lot of fiber and the skin is on the dates which contribute to a rougher texture. But it still tastes good.
The best is to use fresh dates, the kind that are super soft and “moist” (gotta love that word!). However, if you do use dry dates just put them in a bowl and soak in boiling hot water for 5-10 minutes, then they will become softer.
I also recommend using a highspeed food processor and not a handmixer, just because it will get the job done quicker and will make it smoother. But you can of course use a handmixer.
I used soya cream at home as that was what I had at home, but it should work fine with coconut cream (though the caramel will have a taste of coconut then) or you could use oat cooking cream.
Note, I used a sweetened soya cream which wasn’t necessary as dates are already so sweet. So I would recommend using an unsweetened cream if possible.
How to store this caramel?
I stored it in an airtight glass jar in the fridge, and it lasted about 5 days. So that is what I can guarantee, but it should store longer.
You can adapt the quantities based on how much caramel you want. You can use more liquid to thin it out, add more sweetener or salt depending on your preferences. So this is just a base recipe, but you can adapt it as much as you like. And if you do want a really thin and smooth caramel sauce I do recommend you go for a coconutmilk/brown sugar caramel sauce and not use dates.
Also, you can use less liquid and instead make more of a date caramel paste which you can use to dip apples in or even use as filling for cakes!
Recipe:
I used about 15-20 dates. (Use the fresh kind, if not soak in boiling hot water)
Around 200-300ml soya cream/oatcream/coconut milk or cream
1-2tsp sea salt
Optional, 1tsp vanilla or brown sugar for muskiness (though the dates or so sweet this shouldn’t really be necessary)
How to:
If your dates aren’t fresh, soak them. If they are fresh then add them to a pot along with c.a 200ml liquid (add more as necessary when mixing). Heat on medium for 5-6 minutes and allow to simmer. Add 1 tsp of sea salt.
Pour of the contents into a high speed food processor and mix until smooth, or if using a handmixer, mix directly in the pot until smooth. Keep adding liquid until you have reached the right texture. (add a little at a time). Give the caramel a taste and add more salt according to preference. It is better to start off with a little and add more, rather than add too much and not know how to fix the saltiness.
Once smooth, pour over into a clean glass jar and store in the fridge!
This caramel works great to eat just as it is, or use in cake fillings or why not eat with some apples or crisp bread!
It should of course be noted that even if this is date caramel sauce, it is high in sugar and should still be considered a sweet treat!!!
Have you tried making your own date caramel sauce before…? If not, it is about time you try!!
Don’t forget to let me know in the comments down below if you made this or tag me on Instagram, itsahealthylifestyle.
