Irresistibly Easy 4 Ingredient Date Caramels for Guilt-Free Indulgence Recipe
These irresistibly easy 4-ingredient date caramels offer a guilt-free indulgence with natural sweetness and a luscious chocolate coating. Made with simple wholesome ingredients like Medjool dates, almond butter, coconut oil, and dark chocolate, this treat is perfect for a healthy snack or dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth without refined sugars.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 caramels 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
For the Caramel Base
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
- 2 tablespoons almond butter or sunflower seed butter (for nut-free option)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
For the Chocolate Coating
- 1 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar (preferably dark chocolate for richer flavor)
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil
Instructions
- Soak Dates: Start by soaking 1 cup of pitted Medjool dates in hot water for about 10 minutes to soften them, making blending easier and resulting in a smooth caramel texture.
- Blend Together: Drain the soaked dates well, then add them to a blender along with 2 tablespoons of almond butter and 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
- Set the Caramel: Line a 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper and transfer the date caramel mixture into it. Spread it evenly with a spatula and place the pan in the freezer to firm up for 2 to 3 hours.
- Slice the Caramels: Once the caramel base is firm, remove it from the pan and slice into 12 equal squares for even bite-sized treats.
- Melt the Chocolate: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup of chocolate chips with 2 teaspoons of coconut oil. Microwave in short bursts of 20 seconds, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.
- Coat the Caramels: Using a fork or dipping tool, dip each caramel square into the melted chocolate, ensuring it is fully coated. Place the coated caramels onto a parchment-lined plate.
- Set the Chocolate: Refrigerate the chocolate-coated caramels for about 1 hour or until the chocolate has completely set and hardened, then serve or store in an airtight container.
Notes
- You can substitute almond butter with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.
- Using dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate enhances flavor and adds antioxidants.
- Store finished caramels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Ensure dates are fully pitted before soaking to avoid any hard bits.
- If dates are not very soft, soaking time can be extended up to 20 minutes.
Keywords: date caramels, healthy caramel recipe, vegan caramel, no refined sugar dessert, easy 4 ingredient dessert, almond butter caramels, dark chocolate treats
