The Best Salted Date Caramel
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Make this Salted Date Caramel once and you’ll wonder why you ever bought it in the store! It’s made with real ingredients, naturally sweet from dates, and there’s no refined sugar in it at all. Just a homemade caramel recipe that tastes way too good to be this simple. It’s so delicious you’ll be eating it by the spoonful before you even think about what to use it for!
Why I love it (and you will too!)
I’ll be honest with you… I didn’t expect to love this as much as I do. One thing you should know about me is I am a salted caramel LOVER, and I haven’t bought it from the store since I first made this recipe!
It’s just dates, coconut milk, vanilla, and salt, but somehow it turns into the creamiest, coziest caramel I’ve ever tried. It’s naturally sweet from the Medjool dates with no refined sugar, which is definitely one of the reasons I keep coming back to it. It’s also gluten-free and vegan! If you’ve been around the blog, you know I love making basics from scratch for my home, and this is another one to add to my little collection of feel-good recipes. (Along with my incredible Almond Nutella!)
And the sea salt really makes it, like I said, the best! That little pinch just takes it from good to really good, and I don’t think it’ll be long before there’s always a jar in your fridge.
Ingredients you will need
Just a few very simple ingredients come together to make this creamy, naturally sweet caramel! You’ll find the full ingredient list and exact amounts in the recipe card below.
- Medjool dates – They’re naturally so sweet and blend up super smooth once softened. You can find them in your local grocery store, or grab the kind I use here.
- Coconut milk – Adds creaminess and helps everything blend into that perfect caramel texture.
- Vanilla extract – Helps gives it that warm, classic caramel flavor we all love.
- Sea salt – Brings out all the sweetness and gives it that perfect salted caramel finish. I keep sea salt stocked in my kitchen at all times!
Tools You Will Need
If you’ve been needing a reason to grab a food processor, here it is!
- Food processor – This is what gives you that smooth, creamy texture. My mawmaw just gifted me this Stack & Snap Food Processor, so of course I had to break it in with something delicious. I’ve been loving it so far, it’s so easy to use!
- Bowl – For soaking the dates so they soften up before blending.
- 8 oz jar – This recipe stores perfectly in an 8 oz jar with a lid.
Easy Ways to Use this recipe
Sounds delicious, right? This homemade caramel is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself reaching for all the time! Let me tell you some of the best ways to use it.
It’s amazing as a dip for apples, pears, or really any fruit you love. It also works so well in desserts like my No-Bake Banana Snickers Bites when you need too add something a little sweet and salty.
You can even stir it into lattes for a naturally sweet caramel flavor, or honestly just eat it straight from the spoon (no judgment here, it’s that good).
How to make the best Homemade Date Caramel
Ready to make your new favorite sweet treat? Let me show you how:
- Soften the dates
Start by soaking the dates in very hot water until they’re soft. I soak mine for about 10 to 12 minutes and they come out perfect every time.
- Blend it up
Drain the water and add the softened dates to a food processor with the coconut milk and vanilla, then blend until smooth. Scrape down the sides as you go to get it super creamy.
- Add the salt
Sprinkle in the sea salt and blend again until everything is creamy and well combined.
- Ready to enjoy
All done! Scoop it into a jar… or just grab a spoon and enjoy!
FAQs and Tips
Yes, a high-speed blender works great for this too. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides a few more times to help everything blend smoothly, but it will still turn out nice and creamy.
I’ve only made this with Medjool dates, but if you can’t find them, you could try another soft variety like Deglet Noor. Just keep in mind they’re usually a little less sweet and not as soft, so you may need to soak them a bit longer to get that smooth texture.
It keeps well in the fridge for about 1–2 weeks in an airtight jar. It may thicken a bit when chilled, but you can just let it sit out for a few minutes or give it a quick stir.
Yes! For a thicker caramel, use a little less coconut milk. For a thinner, drizzle-style caramel, add a splash more until the consistency is where you like it.
variations
Try different milks
Coconut milk gives it that rich, creamy texture, but you can also use almond milk or oat milk if that’s what you have on hand. It’ll still turn out delicious, just slightly different in richness.
Add a little extra flavor
There are so many fun ingredients you can add to this to switch it up a bit or match whatever you’re using it for. It’s already delicious on its own, but a little extra flavor can make it even better! Here are some to try:
- Cinnamon – Adds a cozy flavor that goes really well with the natural sweetness of the dates. Perfect for fall! If you’re drooling thinking about this, you also need to try my Cinnamon Maple Walnut Butter!
- Espresso powder – Just a tiny pinch deepens the flavor, almost like a caramel mocha combo.
- Extra pinch of sea salt – If you really love that salted flavor in salted caramel, this is the way to go!
related Recipes
If you’ve already broken out the food processor for this salted date caramel, why not keep it going? There are so many other simple spreads and butters you can make! Here are some of my favorites to try next:
- Make your own Chocolate Almond Butter for a yummy, chocolatey spread that’s perfect on toast, fruit, or just by the spoonful.
- Try this Walnut Butter for a simple snack that’s a little different from your usual nut butters and so good on everything from fruit to oatmeal!
- This Homemade Almond Butter is smooth, creamy, and way better than store-bought! Try it once and you’ll want to keep it in your kitchen all the time.
- And if you want something a little seasonal, this Pumpkin Seed Butter is super easy, slightly nutty, and such a fun way to change it up from traditional nut butters.
Salted Date Caramel
An easy, creamy salted date caramel made from just a few simple ingredients. Naturally sweet with no refined sugar and perfect for drizzling or dipping!
Ingredients
- 14 Medjool dates, pitted
- ¾ cup unsweetened coconut milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Soften the dates by covering them with boiling water in a bowl and letting them sit for about 10 minutes, until they’re soft. Drain well.
- Add the softened dates to a food processor along with the coconut milk and vanilla. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
- Add the sea salt and blend again until everything is creamy and well combined.
- Transfer to a jar and it’s ready to use!
Notes
- Storage: Store in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 1–2 weeks. It will thicken as it chills, so just let it sit out for a few minutes before using if needed.
- Consistency: If you want it thicker, use a little less coconut milk. If you want it thinner or more drizzle-like, just add a splash more coconut milk until it reaches what you're looking for.
- Saltiness: Start with the ¼ tsp sea salt, then taste and add a little more if you want a stronger salted caramel flavor. It really depends on how you like it!
- How to use it: This is great on sliced apples, drizzled over oatmeal or yogurt, stirred into lattes, or used in desserts. Or honestly… just eat it straight from the spoon!
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 2 tbspAmount Per Serving: Calories: 145
Nutrition information isn't always accurate.
