I am so excited to share today's date syrup caramel recipe with you guys! This healthy vegan caramel recipe is one of my all-time go-to recipes. It's simple, easy, and tastes just like traditional caramel. The only difference is it uses whole foods plant based ingredients. Therefore it's super healthy!
Why Make This 2 Ingredient Vegan Caramel?
Aside from the fact that this recipe is absolutely delicious, it is also super healthy (as are all my recipes). It's no secret I love desserts, I mean that's why I have so many dessert recipes on my blog. I have to say that caramel desserts are my absolute favorite, it just goes with so many flavors!
As I have been building my blog, and adding tons of recipes, I wanted to make sure that some of my staple recipes were up. I figure I make them all the time, so I am sure someone out there will enjoy them as much as me. This 2 ingredient vegan caramel is definitely a staple. It's easy, healthy, and customizable.
Uses For This Vegan Date Caramel Recipe:
This vegan date caramel is a staple in my kitchen, because it goes with everything! I love making large batches of this recipe and keeping it in my fridge for weeks! You could store this in the pantry as well, but I always keep my sweet foods in the fridge to avoid fruit flies!
Some of my favorite ways to use this raw vegan date caramel are: topping desserts, baking, candies, coffees, the list goes on! It's important to keep in mind that this recipe changes texture with the temperature, so just be mindful of that when you are creating a recipe for it. If you want it runny and spreadable, warm it up, if you want it stiff and to hold a shape, chill it for about an hour.
What Makes This 2 Ingredient Vegan Caramel So Healthy?
This vegan date caramel is special, because it is whole foods plant based. This means that this recipe is free of all the bad stuff, and loaded with all the good stuff! This 2 ingredient vegan caramel recipe is:
- WFPB
- DAIRY-FREE
- REFINED SUGAR-FREE
- OIL-FREE
- GLUTEN-FREE
- VEGAN
- HIGH FIBER
Ingredients for this 2-ingredient Vegan Caramel:
- Date Syrup
- Coconut Butter
- Vanilla Extract (optional)
- Sea Salt (optional)
How To Make This Date Caramel Recipe:
Making this date syrup caramel recipe is incredibly simple. All you need to do is combine the coconut butter and the date syrup and mix until smooth. It's that easy!
However, there are actually multiple ways to make this date caramel. When I originally created this recipe I didn't use date syrup or coconut butter. Crazy right? The original recipe was made of whole medjool dates and and whole cashews.
I loved this recipe, but it was not realistic for most people. The only way to successfully get the smooth caramel was using a high-speed blender like a Vitamix. While I definitely recommend investing in a Vitamix, there are easier ways to make this recipe.
After ditching the whole food method I decided to make this date caramel recipe using date syrup and cashew butter. This method is absolutely delicious and totally spreadable. I love making this recipe using that method. The only reason I made the switch from cashew butter to coconut butter is because it melts and chills better.
Although cashew butter changes consistency slightly I find that coconut butter is the best. Coconut butter can chill and firm up, or melt and become saucy when warm.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Do You Make Caramel With Date Syrup?
It's no secret that I love using dates around here. They're the ultimate natural dessert. Therefore they are perfect for refined sugar-free recipes. There are many things you can do with date syrup, but making raw vegan caramel may be my favorite.
To make caramel with date syrup you don't have to do anything besides mix it with the coconut butter. Coconut butter can be a solid or a liquid depending on the temperature. However, you will not need to heat it or the date syrup to get a liquid caramel sauce. It will melt perfectly just by stirring it.
Is Date Syrup Healthier Than Agave?
Agave is a plant-based sweetener that gained a lot of attention recently. However, I do not recommend this sweetener. Agave is super processed and refined, therefore it is not any better for you than cane sugar.
Date syrup on the other hand is much healthier. Although date syrup is still processed, it still contains fiber and other nutrients. Whenever I am choosing a sweetener the fiber content is super important to me.
Does Date Syrup Spike Insulin?
If you're looking for a diabetic-friendly caramel recipe, then this vegan caramel made with dates is for you. Date syrup is the perfect plant-based sweetener for diabetics because it does not spike insulin like many other sweeteners out there.
Is Coconut Butter Healthier Than Coconut Oil?
If you're not familiar with coconut butter, allow me to introduce you to an incredible ingredient! Like other nut and seed butter, coconut butter is simply just ground-up coconut. You may be wondering why this is any better for you than coconut oil.
Since coconut butter is ground and not pressed like coconut oil, all the fiber stays intact. Therefore the calories are more filling and nutritious. It works a lot like coconut oil due to its high-fat content, however, it is much more nutritious and works perfectly in this vegan date caramel recipe!
Is This Date Caramel Raw Vegan?
I love eating raw vegan recipes. I will never go fully raw for many reasons, however, I do believe that there are many benefits to eating a raw vegan diet. With that said I always try to make my recipes raw vegan if possible.
Since this date caramel recipe is made with date syrup and coconut butter, it is 100% raw vegan! If you're very strict about your raw vegan diet, then you can make this recipe using whole dates as well. You may need to soak them for a bit before blending them into a date paste. Once you have the paste, simply combine it with the coconut butter and you're good to go!
Related Recipes:
- Chocolate Caramel Baked Oats
- Chocolate Caramel Chia Seed Protein Pudding
- Maple Caramel Almond Cheesecake
- Caramel Chocolate Protein Pancakes
2 Ingredient Vegan Caramel
Ingredients
- 1 cup date syrup
- ⅓ cup coconut butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- pinch sea salt optional
Instructions
- Simply mix your date syrup and coconut butter together with a fork until smooth ad stretchy. If using vanilla extract and sea salt, mix in once smooth. Enjoy!
Kris says
Tastes like the real thing!
Lucy says
I'd been searching for vegan caramel to make caramel shortbread so this was perfect! So simple and easy to make and healthy too without compromising on flavour.
Devorah says
I found the date syrup taste to be overpowering and the overall taste profile to be something more like molasses.
I really wanted to love this seeing as it’s much simpler than other recipes.
Is there a specific brand you use?
Thanks
Katie says
I recommend D'Vash! I have it linked in the recipe card. You can also add more coconut butter to lessen the date syrup flavor.
Stefanie says
This is amazing! Can't wait to try it with some of my favorite Fall baking ?
Choclette says
Your date recipes are wicked. This is so simple and far less complicated than my recipe. One question though, is coconut butter the same thing as coconut oil? I use coconut oil a lot, but have not come across butter before.
Grace Tejero says
What makes this more awesome, aside from the fact that it's really healthy and all natural, is needing only 2 ingredients to make this! Excited to try it!