If you’ve ever wondered how to make date caramel, this is the tutorial for you! Date caramel is so easy to make and extremely delicious, but there are a couple of important tricks to know before you dive in.
1) It’s all about having good, moist, fresh dates. If your dates are dry and hard, they won’t blend as well and will require soaking in warm water first in order to soften them. Otherwise, you won’t achieve that creamy, caramel-like consistency. So, whenever possible, look for the freshest, most sticky dates you can find.
2) It’s all about the equipment. In my experience, a food processor works best to get that ultra creamy, smooth texture. But now that I’ve simplified and only have a Vitamix, I’ve found it’s not quite as easy with a blender. While they get the job done, blenders just require a little more time, effort and a bit more water to get things going.
Now that you have the basics down, let’s make caramel!
Date Caramel
Ingredients
- 20 large pitted dates (if not moist and sticky, soak in warm water for 10 minute then drain)
- Water (to thin)
- 1 pinch sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Add pitted dates to a food processor or high-speed blender (in my experience, a food processor works best to get a creamy texture without having to add much water).
- Pulse/mix on low until small bits remain. Then stream in hot water while the blender is on until a paste is made. You will need to scrape down the sides and encourage it along periodically.
- Be sure to only add enough water to form a paste – too much and it will be too liquidy. Amount will depend on your machine and size/moistness of dates.
- Leave as is, or add a pinch of salt to enhance flavor (optional). Will keep covered in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks, and often more.
- Date caramel is perfect for adding to things like 5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Caramel Truffles, Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie, No Churn Ice Cream, Vegan Pumpkin Caramels, Dulce De Leche Pops, Ice Cream Snickers Bars, Sea Salt Caramel Coconut Ice Cream, Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse Pie and more.
- It also makes a wonderful natural sweetener in dishes like oatmeal and milkshakes.
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients.
Connie says
Just wanted to say I made this with the oldest, crusty dry dates that I’ve had sitting in the cupboard for ages lol and it still turned out amazing! I was going to soak them for a bit in the food processor but I didn’t want to submerge them, in my confusion I just decided to process them straight away with a bit of hot water, then I slowly drizzled in a bit more every minute or so and scraped the walls of the food processor down like 3 times. It probably took about 5 minutes or so but I got a perfect creamy caramel texture! Amazing recipe- thank you! I can see how this would only work in a food processor if using old dry dates though. But I’m very happy this worked for me as these dates are more affordable than the fancy ones.
We’re so glad it worked, Connie! Thanks so much for sharing!
Maryam says
This is so easy to make. I used deglet noor dates; softened them with boiling water and used that same water to blend them. It turned out really good, sweet but not overly sweet.
We’re so glad you enjoy this caramel, Maryam! Thank you for sharing! xo
LeAnne says
I thought I saw this as a topping for a plant based chocolate dessert in a video. I saved the caramel recipe, but apparently NOT what it goes on! The recipe looked so delicious. It was put in single serving glasses with the caramenl on top and bits of chocolate. I thought it was more like chocolate cake than anything…. any ideas where I can find that recipe?
Hi LeAnne, hmm, was it this Salted Caramel Ganache Tart? It’s not in glasses, but otherwise sounds similar to what you’re describing. You can also search by ingredient for “date caramel” in our recipe index, which may help find it!
LeAnne says
No, I actually asked AI when a friend suggested it! AI found :Plant-Based Chocolate Cake with Date Caramel Topping
It didn’t tell me the source, but it is your same recipe for the date caramel sauce! I’m making it right now! Thank you!
Christy says
Can you bake with this? I have a protein cookie that I use peanut butter for and thought this would be a great substitute with a lot less fat. Thoughts?
Hi Christy, we think it would stay a bit wet/sticky after baking, unfortunately! That could work in some recipes where maybe it’s swirled in, but probably not in place of peanut butter.
Bhavna Sehgal says
Hi! What would be the shelf life if I use it as a layer in a chocolate bar?
Hi Bhavna, it would keep for 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator. We wouldn’t recommend storing at room temperature. Hope that helps!
Charlotte Vaughns says
This is so tasty! I soaked my dates for about 45 minutes (with baking soda per another reviewer’s suggestion), peeled off the skins and blended them in my Vitamix. Afterwards, I added vanilla bean paste and cinnamon. It came out great and I have been adding it to my homemade yogurt. Thanks for the recipe!
That sounds even more delicious! Thank you for sharing, Charlotte! xo
Rachel says
Crazy how much this tastes like caramel! I added a splash of vanilla, and it’s perfect. Very good with apples.
Right?! We’re so glad you love it. Thank you for sharing, Rachel! xo
Rachel says
I’m making this for the Snicker Chocolate Bark but it looks like I only need a 1/4 recipe. Will it still process correctly if I make a quarter recipe?
Hi Rachel, depending on the size of your food processor, it may struggle to blend. If you have a 7-8 cup food processor, a half batch might work!
A O says
I really want to use this in a rice crispy treat!! Any advice on that, I’m trying to replicate sweet greens rice date honey caramel treat.
Hmm, we haven’t tried those, but now we must! We’re not sure how to prevent the rice krispies from getting soggy from the moisture content of the dates. Maybe using a method similar to this recipe, replacing the maple syrup with honey and the coconut sugar (and maybe some or all of the peanut butter) with date caramel? We’d love to hear if you do some experimenting!
A O says
Great idea I really appreciate your response! Trying this tonight and will let you know.
A O says
I did this!! It tastes pretty similar to sweet gree n treat :) I replaced the coco sugar equal amount of date caramel, replaced maple syrup with equal amount honey, and 3/4 cup date caramel for PB, and 1/4 cup PB. The topping I kept the same.
It worked really well for a first try :)
The peanut butter is more liquidy, so I needed to add up to 1-2 cups extra of crispies for the thicker date caramel to cover.
Amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Chery says
Could you use this caramel to make caramel popcorn that isn’t sticky?
Could you put it on popcorn and bake it in the oven? Thanks
Hi Chery, we don’t think that would work unfortunately! It would probably make your pop corn too moist.
Georgina says
What could be more simple? I usually just eat the dates from the bag. This will be a neat trick when I want it to feel so much more decadent and more like a real treat. -Gina
E says
Hello! I was wondering if I could use this as a sweetener instead of maple syrup?
Hi E, it will depend on the recipe, but possibly! It will be thicker than maple syrup, so you may need to add additional water.
Micah says
I’m thinking of making this recipe to top a pecan cake. Do you think I could use dried figs or dried apricots instead of dates? Or a mix of dates/apricots? Thanks!
Hi Micah, we’ve never tried that, but it sounds delicious! We’d suggest a mix of dates and apricots. Let us know how it goes!
Jessica says
Would this work with deglet noor dates? I accidentally bought deglet noor instead of Medjool dates so I was wondering if the results would still be similar?
Hi Jessica, as long as they’re moist, it should work. We prefer medjool because they have more of a caramel-y taste. Hope that helps!
Sheilah says
Hi….my family and I are enjoying your recipes. Thank you for your healthy ideas.
We’re so glad to hear it, Sheilah! Thanks for letting us know =) xo
Anel says
Hi,
Is there another ingredient that a person can perhaps add to the date caramel to make it taste more like the canned caramel? I’m starting to try and wean my kids off from normal cakes and tarts (which normally contains a lot of caramel, like peppermint crisp tart, filling for chocolate cakes etc..), but the date one is still a few steps not creamy enough.. Will adding some cream and perhaps caramel/vanilla essence/coconut cream help?
Yes, we think vanilla and/or coconut milk/cream would help. Let us know if you try it!
Jenna says
I made this before and my boyfriend LOVES it! He loves dates. I was wondering – if I made brownies and kind of swirled it in with a tooth pick, would it cook? Thank you so much!
Yay! We’re so glad he enjoys it. And yes! We do that in this recipe.
Sarah says
I am so confused you put that a tablespoon is ~30 cal but there are 70 cal in a date and I made 4 tablespoons so I used five dates so wouldn’t that be 87.5 per tbsp?
Thanks for bringing this to our attention, Sarah! We’ll double check the calculations and update, if needed.
Jenna says
It’s thinned out with water, so I think it would be a little less. Does that make sense?
Maya says
I know it’s a crazy question, cause who would have left overs, but can you freeze it?
Hi Maya, all questions welcome :) We don’t think it would freeze well, but we haven’t tried!
Dora P says
I have made this in the past and was amazed by how simple and delicious it is! Absolute yum!
I was wondering if this would work as a caramel layer in between two layers of cake? Or if it would be too soft and just absorb into the cakes?
Hmm, good question! We haven’t tried it, so we’re not certain. But we think it would work, especially if it isn’t left at too high of a room temp. Let us know if you try it!
Dora P says
I tried it! It worked really well, and held it’s structure – even under a cake topper on my counter for the past 3 days in the heat!
Yay! Thanks for sharing, Dora!
Andrea says
Hi, re the date caramel, I don’t understand stage 2 please: how do you steam it while it’s in a food processor bowl please? I have a Magimix. I do have a hand blender too – is it best to blend it in a Magimix and then put it in a bowl over boiling water and use a hand blender? Thanks! 🤗
Hi Andrea, I think the confusion might be steam vs stream. By stream, we mean pour in hot water (through the spout).
Mark says
If you substitute Date paste for sugar in a bbq sauce would it caramelize like sugar on things like ribs? Artificial sweeteners will not caramelize, therefore lacking flavor.
It should! But we haven’t tried it.
Beverly Ostrom says
Can you make extra to freeze? Love date Carmel!
Hi Beverly, we don’t think it would freeze well. But let us know if you try it!
Marti says
YES! the Whole 30 has a BBQ sauce recipe that only uses dates, I have made it and the trick in my opinion is putting the sauce in a small crock pot and leaving it on almost all day cooking on low to really get that caramelly texture and thickness. It is very good and my non-Whole 30 people didn’t know and said that they liked my BBQ sauce. Bonus – it keeps almost forever!
Susan says
I make “sugarless” recipes with dates as a substitute.
My technique:
I soak dates a long time, maybe 45 minutes, in hot or boiling water with a heaping teaspoon of baking soda mixed in.
It softens skins of dates and they rub off so much more easily, and you can pit and rub skins off under warm water, so you just have ave creamy date meat left.
My mom did this in her kitchen in the 1950s and it’s an old technique to make sure a recipe is smooth and less gritty.
Doing this doesn’t take a lot of time and makes a huge difference in a recipe. Also I just don’t add sugar, even coconut sugar.
Enjoying a healthier recipe,
Susan in The San Juan Islands
Lynda says
Does this really taste like caramel? I would think it would taste like the filling in a date square.
We think it does! You may prefer this recipe though: https://minimalistbaker.com/5-ingredient-vegan-caramel-sauce/
Susan says
It does!
And it does taste caramelly.
You’ll enjoy it when your tastebuds get used to real Whole Foods and less less less refined sugar, always a better thing.
Kaitlan Whitteberry says
Hi Dana!
First, let me just say how much I adore your recipes! They are just awesome, keep it up :)
I have a quick question. I accidentally added 1/2 a cup of water to my mixture and now it’s too watery, and I’m out of dates! Is the only way to fix it to add more dates? Or could I slowly cook some of the water off?
Thanks so much for your help!
Thanks so much, Kaitlan! Hmm, we aren’t sure how cooking them might impact it. We wonder if leaving uncovered in the fridge might help dry it out a bit?
Amanda says
I’m looking for a dairy-free alternative to caramel topping (aka Smuckers). Will your date caramel sauce work? I use ice cream topping in my iced coffee.
This recipe would be best!
Camille Martin says
Ive been making date caramel with this technique for years! I even used it as the caramel inside chocolate with almonds so make a healthy type of snickers bar. It was amazing.
We love it in that capacity, too!
Hannah Ashford says
I have a big box of dates sitting on the worktop, being thrown into a few savoury dishes but not much else (other than my sister eating them every time she goes in the kitchen!) Today she asked me if I’m even eating them as the mountain looks no smaller than when I got them last week, came across this while looking through your recipes and omg!!! I have made this to go on top of banana fritters as my treat for having no desserts all month and what a revelation! My tip is when you think you’re done blending,blend some more for a smoother texture! Oh dates im sorry I neglected you! Never again! Thanks so much.simple but effective! I’ve only just turned vegan this month but your recipes have been my saviour!
So glad you’re enjoying this, Hannah! Love your tips as well. Thanks!
Gabriela says
Just made it! I also added a pinch of vanilla extract. Delicious!
Nicole M Roman says
Hi there! I made this over the weekend but after refrigerating, it got a little hard and doesn’t mix well in my frapp (using you cold brew recipe!). Should I add a bit more water and reblend?
I was very hesistant to add too much at first after seeing some comments.
Yes, try that and it should help!
Patty says
I made this and my husband and I love, love! Great with Apple slices, or on a slice of your delicious banana nut bread.
Emilie says
I only have a hand blender, and I have killed one in the past by blending dates, so I’ve been a bit wary of date-based things. But boiling the dates and letting the water almost completely boil away helped loads! No over heated hand blender this time. Actually I think this would make it possible to mush the dates with a fork, for a caramel that’s a bit more “rustic”.
Sue says
I made this and it turned out perfectly. Just like Dana said, use soft, not dried. I know a few people have said they didn’t have a food processor. I was one of those people for a long time. I recently purchased an inexpensive (aka, not top of the line) and I am so glad I did. Really opens up to a bunch more recipes I can make.
Also, I wonder if you could put some type of flavoured extract in this if you like. I’m guessing you could.
Evelyn Ediger says
I just found this site. I can’t have sugar/honey so I’ll explore this more,
Nidia says
Hello! Thank you SO much for this wonderful recipe! So easy! You are truly a genius! The salt does make a difference! Thanks again!
Orignal says
Awesome, thanks for this. Date sugar is very hard to find locally and it’s expensive on Amazon. This caramel will come useful.
Debi says
So easy, so good, and so many ways to use! I put a little vanilla in mine.
Regina says
Thank you for sharing! I canh’the wait to try it :-)
laura says
I is so simple and it tastes really good, thank you
Amber says
I’m wondering if I add more water and make it more liquid instead of a paste could I use this on your vegan cheesecake recipe instead of the bourbon Carmel? I’d just like to not use processed sugar but still have the Carmel.
That should work! I also have a vegan caramel sauce in our cookbook if you’re interested!
Geena says
Please make an app!!!!
Judy says
Well, I’ve finally gotten around to making Dana’s date caramels. I sure wish I hadn’t, they are ruining my waistline!!! Addicting? Ridiculously! The skins on my dates were separating from the dates themselves & so I thought that the skins being dry would not result in a dreamy, creamy caramel feel in the end, so I found that rubbing the dates under a cool water faucet easily removed the skins completely – and while processing, I found that I did not need to add water at all which may dilute the flavor. Though it got an A+ for dreamy, creamy straight from the processor, I thought the taste was just OK, that is until I pulled out one later from the freezer that I dipped into her homemade chocolate recipe (my version with what I had on hand is 1/4 cup each cacao powder and coconut oil – refined if you want more chocolate/less coconut flavor in your finished chocolate product & then 3 TBSP pure maple syrup). I zapped my choc mixture in the mic for a few seconds when finding that simply beating with a fork didn’t smooth it out enough for me. Then I made turtles and next will make nut clusters. I made frozen bananas too, minus the caramel, but that led me think of making caramel apple wedges with the caramel, minus the chocolate, & rolled in nuts as well. Will do that tomorrow. Possibilities are endless! Dana, you are awesome – thank you for your wisdom and your inspiration!
Brandy says
I’ve been making a version of this for over a year now using half dates and half raisins, to up the nutrition value a little, since I stopped eating processed sugars and flours. I actually soak my dried fruit for a day or so and save the sweet water I drain off to make a delicious chocolate sauce. I’ve only used my blender and never even thought to use my food processor. Duh. *slapping forehead* Thanks for the great idea, can’t wait to try it. When people ask how I’ve lost so much weight (60 lbs.) and how I can live without sugar I’ll just send them here. =)
Reba says
Brilliant idea. Getting off sugar is a task no one do alone, lol!! I like Dana Carpender’s cookbooks. They’re great. Congratulations on your weight loss… !!!
Melanie says
Hello! I love this Date Caramel, but need help using it in your recipes! For instance, I’m wanting to make the Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, but I don’t have fresh dates right now, so was hoping to use the Date Caramel I made, but have no idea how much to use! Would it be possible for you to add an amount equivalency to the Date Caramel recipe (i.e., 1 cup dates equals ___ cups or __ grams Date Caramel)?
I also wondered if the added water in the Date Caramel recipe would be a problem if substituting in recipes.
Thanks!
AbbyZ says
I want to use this somehow in your cinnamon rolls recipe, to make the filling even thicker and more caramel-like. Have you ever tried?
johanne says
Love your ideas and recipes! I’m headed out to the book store to get your recipe book! Also, I noticed you only have one paper copy and the second cookbook is online only. Is it possible to get it in book format? Are they the same cookbook? It appears as they are two separate cookbooks. Thank.
KJ | Omnomherbivore says
Classic vegan sweets staple! :D
kayla says
I just made this. It’s awesome. Even more so with about a 1/4 teaspoon each of vanilla and salt!
CC says
This would probably be good i the brownies mix?
Yanic says
Simply fantastic! I doubled the recipe and used it as icing on your chocolate cake. Just divine!
Michelle says
My husband eats your gf black bean brownies every night for dessert. I make a double batch and freeze them . He is crazy for them! I will try the turtle brownies asap. P.S. I definitely prefer the food processor to the vita mix for making date caramel. Maybe you can get your food processor back.
Ashwaq says
Hi! I just wanted to let you know, coconut oil is a great alternative to the water for a very creamy smooth flavour of sweetness. Ali add a pinch of salt and about a teaspoon of vanilla extract and it comes out tasting just like caramel! Wonderful!
Kate says
I have been making this recipe for the last few weeks, however I’ve been adding a splash of vanilla extract. I want to eat all of it! I have made this and also the truffles, but i want to add it to so many other things! Do you have any recommendations for other recipes this could be used in?
Juls says
Just made this for the first time ever. Oh my caramel goodness. That pinch of salt makes all the difference!
Juls says
Also, I used a single serve shake blender. It was work but worth it!
Tamika says
Wow! This is such a great idea to have on hand for adding to any sweet recipe! I’m so excited to give this a go. Thanks for the inspiration Dana :)
abdulla says
We have dates all around the year , the best quality and was wondering what can I make besid our traditional staff that we do.
Many thanks , I will try this recipe and get back to you
Hi there! If you search “date” in our search bar (in the sidebar), you’ll come up with a whole round-up of recipes!
Cari says
I tried to make these in a blender and it is WORK to get it smooth! I wonder if it would be any easier by using an electric mixer and a bowl? I don’t have a food processor :(
Holly says
I used to make chocolate chunk cookies with a rolo baked in the center. This how-to reminded me of those. Yummm. If you could veganize those cookies you would have a BFF for life!! :)
Joel says
My mom used to make this at home when we were growing up, and I still make it whenever I can. She called it date butter. She would soak the dates for a few minutes in boiling water and then put them in a food processor. The results were just as you’ve shown. Delicious date goodness, which we use as an alternative for jelly, in our PB&J sandwiches.
Thank you for the brilliant ideas on other ways to use it. I’m sure they will taste great. Can’t wait to try some of the recipes.
tatin says
i did this but i pureed them the old fashion way with a fork (’cause i broke the jar of my blender :’)) and it was really good! chunky, yeah, but dates are amazing whatever form they’re in.
I mixed some in in a cashew based ice cream (a.k.a. a custard gone wrong i shoved in the freezer) and it was kinda close to my childhood favorite dulce de leche ice cream!
Carolien says
Hi Dana!
Thnks for this recipe! Any advice on how long you can keep this in a jar in the frigge?
Greetings!
2-3 weeks.
mara says
Can you use this to make caramel apples
Thankyou
Natalie says
Do you find you get the same results using deglet dates? Or do you only use Medjool dates?
I do! Just as long as they’re moist – that’s the most important. Medjool are always best, in my experience.
SoozMarie says
I bought both deglet and medjool dates today. The deglet are tasty, but the medjool have a caramel flavor in comparison. I’d say go with medjool if you can!
Tara says
The one itsy, bitsy, teeny, weenie problem with this this date caramel is that……if it’s there –staring at me from the shelf in my refrigerator, it must be eaten! It’s so delectable I can just eat it, one scoop at a time, all by its lonesome….deadly delish:)
Elizabeth says
Thank you for the recipe! I absolutely LOVE your site- your dishes are constantly making their way onto my table! About how much water did you use? I’ve tried making date caramel before and I added too much, so I’ve been kind of intimidated to try again, but yours looks absolutely perfect!
Thanks again :)
I think I added about 3 Tbsp, but it definitely depends on the freshness of your dates. You’ll know you’ve added too much when it’s liquidy, so only add a little at a time!
Alexis @ Upside Down Pear says
This sounds amazing! I have a bunch of dates sitting on the counter waiting to be turned into something, and now I know what to do with them :D What a great idea to add this to oatmeal! Can’t wait to try it for breakfast.