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This vegan salted date caramel is what sweet, caramel-y dreams are made of—only 4 ingredients and ready in 5 minutes! It’s smooth, creamy, and a nutrient-rich twist on classic caramel (fair warning: you’re going to want to serve it with everything!).

A hand dips a green apple slice into a bowl of creamy date caramel, with a few dates and more apple slices nearby.
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This salted date caramel recipe is proof that sometimes, simple really is better. With only dates, coconut milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt needed, it’s as easy to make as it is to devour (and trust me, it’s very easy to devour!).

In true LEL style, we ditched the complicated caramel-making steps. Just toss everything in a food processor and blitz until smooth. It’s foolproof, folks! Leave the boiling, candy thermometer, and stress for another recipe, okay?

Close-up of creamy date caramel swirled in a spiral pattern, topped with coarse sea salt flakes and a drizzle of rich date caramel.
Okay but how good would this be spread on top of vegan oatmeal cookies? YUM!

You Only Need 4 Ingredients

I bet you have everything date caramel sitting in your cupboard right now! This is just an overview of the ingredients—jump to the recipe card for exact measurements.

  • Medjool Dates: With their naturally sweet, caramel-like taste, dates are perfect for vegan caramel sauce! We’ll puree these to form the base.
  • Coconut Milk: For the best consistency, use full-fat canned coconut milk. In a pinch, you can try other dairy-free milk varieties like soy milk, oat milk, or almond milk (though they won’t be quite as rich).
  • Vanilla & Sea Salt: They balance out the sweet dates, transforming them into caramel sauce.
A glass bowl of dates, a small cup of vanilla, a dish of salt, and a measuring cup of coconut milk are arranged on crumpled white paper.

Flavor Variations

  • Nut Butter: Swirl in a spoonful of almond or peanut butter for a rich, nutty flavor (perfect for spreading on toast or dipping apples!).
  • Cinnamon: Add a dash of cinnamon for some warm, cozy notes—great for spooning onto oatmeal, pancakes, or any fall-inspired treats.
  • Chocolate: Stir in a tablespoon of cocoa powder for a chocolatey date caramel sauce that’s amazing over ice cream or stirred into a smoothie.
  • Espresso: Mix in a teaspoon of instant espresso powder for a mocha-like caramel with a hint of coffee flavor that pairs so well with desserts.
A bowl of creamy caramel dip topped with coarse sea salt, surrounded by dates and apple slices.
It’s perfect for dipping sliced fruits into, spreading on toast or pancakes, serving in our chocolate chickpea clusters, or eating straight from the jar (hey, I won’t judge)!
Close-up of creamy date caramel swirled in a spiral pattern, topped with coarse sea salt flakes and a drizzle of rich date caramel.
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Salted Date Caramel (4 Ingredients)

5 from 1 rating
By: Sarah Bond
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings (2 Tbsp per serving)
This vegan salted date caramel is what sweet, caramel-y dreams are made of—only 4 ingredients and ready in 5 minutes!

Ingredients 

  • 15 medjool dates, pits removed
  • ½ cup full-fat coconut milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
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Instructions 

  • Soak Dates: Add 15 medjool dates (pitted) to a bowl and cover with hot water. Let sit for at least 15 minutes to soften.
    A glass bowl filled with dates soaking in water, placed on a crumpled white surface.
  • Blend: Add dates, ½ cup full-fat coconut milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and ¼ tsp salt to a high speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides to get everything blended.
    The consistency can be adjusted by adding more dates (to make it thicker) or more milk (to make it thinner).
    Overhead view of a blender containing thick, creamy brown sauce or spread, with some residue on the sides of the container, set on a crumpled white surface.
  • Refrigerate to thicken! Serve as a vegan caramel dip with sliced apples, use it in vegan desserts like cookies or brownies, or drizzle it over oatmeal and smoothies.
    A bowl of creamy caramel dip sprinkled with sea salt, surrounded by fresh apple slices, dates, a spoon, and a napkin on a white surface.

Notes

Storage: This date caramel will last for up to 7 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tbsp | Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 9.2g | Protein: 0.6g | Fat: 3.6g | Saturated Fat: 3.2g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 22mg | Potassium: 113mg | Fiber: 1.2g | Sugar: 7.6g | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Nutrition information calculated by Sarah Bond, degreed nutritionist.

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