You guys know I have a thing for date caramel. It makes wonderful things like truffles and No-Bake PB&J Pies, and No-Churn Chocolate Ice Cream. Clearly, there is nothing it cannot do.
Exhibit D: Pumpkin Caramels!
These truffles are seriously simple! They require just 6 ingredients, are naturally sweetened, and are both vegan and gluten free.
They get a serious punch of pumpkin flavor from both pumpkin butter (or puree), and pumpkin pie spice, and the result is a decadent-but-healthy caramel rolled in roasted pumpkin seeds and sea salt. Serious yum.
If you’ve never tried date caramel, you must! Get your hands on some dates, whirl them in your food processor, add a little coconut oil (or water) until you get the creamiest, dreamiest paste that tastes seriously identical to caramel.
In addition to rolling your date caramel in pumpkin seeds and eating it as caramel bites, date paste keeps for weeks in the fridge and is ideal for adding to oatmeal, smoothies, desserts, and practically anything you want to sweeten naturally. It’s practically magic in a jar for health nuts and the sugar conscious.
The concept for these caramels came to me one night just before drifting off to sleep, as so many of my ideas do. I muttered to John, “Don’t let me forget, pumpkin caramels with dates!” so it wouldn’t escape me.
I’m so glad I remembered and gave it a go. I’ve been snacking on these for the past couple of weeks. The best part? No guilt! Dates really do hold a special place in my food-loving heart.
You’re going to love these caramels. They’re:
Sticky
Delectable
Infused with pumpkin
Creamy on the inside
Salty-sweet on the outside
Subtly spiced
Satisfying
Simple
& Healthy
If you give these caramels a try, let us know! Leave a comment or take a picture and tag it #minimalistbaker on Instagram so we can be caramel-loving buddies together. Cheers!
Vegan Pumpkin Caramels
Ingredients
- 12 ounces medjool dates, pitted (12 ounces or 250 g yields ~1 1/4 cup packed // if not moist and sticky, soak in hot water 10 minutes then drain thoroughly)
- 2 Tbsp pumpkin butter* (or sub pumpkin puree)
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 2 Tbsp melted coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/3 cup raw pepitas
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (176 C) and place raw pepitas on a baking sheet. If your dates are not sticky and moist, begin soaking in hot water now. Wait 10 minutes and then drain thoroughly.
- Bake pepitas for 5-7 minutes, or fragrant and just slightly toasty. Remove set aside.
- Add dates to the food processor and mix until a ball forms. Then add in pumpkin butter (or puree) and spices and mix.
- While mixing, stream in melted coconut oil until a paste forms, scraping down sides as needed. If it won’t mix, add 1-2 Tbsp hot water (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) – this will depend on the size and stickiness of your dates. Taste and adjust spices as needed.
- Transfer mixture to the freezer to chill/harden for at least 2 hours, preferably 4-6. You want it to be tacky enough to allow for handling and rolling into balls.
- Once set, remove date caramel from freezer and scoop out rounded Tablespoons and roll between your palms to form a ball. Roll in pepitas to coat and sprinkle the tops with sea salt. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate and pop back in the freezer to set.
- Keep these in the freezer for freshness – they won’t harden. Enjoy straight from the freezer, or let set at room temp for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
*Inspiration from PBS and my 5 Ingredient PB Caramel Truffles
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
Megan says
How area these so good?! I took one bite and went bug-eyed. The medjool dates really do make it taste like there’s real caramel in it. Perfect autumnal treat!!
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoy these caramels, Megan! xoxo
Jess says
My entire family couldn’t get enough of these!
Jen says
Just made these little gems up and they are absolutely divine!!!! I substituted pumpkin seeds for the pipitas and from the small tastes I have been enjoying, I would say that this is a fine substitution. Unbelievably, my Kroger does not carry pumpkin butter (sigh) so I was going to use apple butter but lo and behold I found a jar of pumpkin butter from Trader Joes in my pantry. I believe the apple butter would have been a fine substitute. I am very looking forward to serving these to my family!!!! I will 100% make this very easy recipe again!
Thanks for sharing, Jen!
Mary @ Fit and Fed says
Love that date caramel idea, how useful and delicious is that?
Susan Paul says
How many does this recipe make?
Diana says
I’m sorry but these didn’t last for weeks in the refrigerator……
They were gone within 3 days :)
Philip Laws says
pretty delicious ! adding image makes this recipe catchable ,
Jen says
Some friends and I get together once a month for a potluck-style dinner. I’m usually the dessert girl. Between the five of us, we’re gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and vegan, though none of us is all of these together. Of course, when we cook, we ARE, so as to accommodate everyone. I made these for this month’s dessert (I made my own pumpkin butter to ensure there was no refined sugar) and everyone LOVED them! They’re gooey and sweet (but not TOO sweet) and hearty and just freaken perfect. Thank you for this recipe!! I think I’m going to make it again for my Sunday Funday group next weekend. Go Bolts! :)
Shukla says
Hi! Any tips on making this in a Vitamix? I don’t have a food processor. I tried making this in my vitamix and it just doesn’t mix! I have to keep adding water , which ruins the consistency. Any tips would be great !
Hi Shukla, we’ve also struggled with dates in the Vitamix. But pulsing in short bursts works OK. A food processor is best!
Sarah says
How many caramels does this recipe make?
Beth says
OH my goodness! I just made these, or rather just processed them, they are still chilling, but I tasted them and they are seriously amazing. Thanks for the recipe!
Whoop! Glad you liked them. Thanks for sharing, Beth!
Steph says
I don’t really like sweets so I substituted the pumpkin components for Granny Smith apples and almost went half/half with the batter and the pepitas. YUMMO! Will definitely be experimenting more and making a second batch. Thanks for the recipe!
April says
I am very excited to make these pumpkin caramels! I love the combination of dates and coconut oil and think this recipe is just going to be phenomenal! Dates are wonderful for sustained energy and are known as “nature’s fuel”, so this will be a great snack before, during, or immediately after working out.
Alison says
These look divine. Can you please suggest a substitute for pumpkin pie spice which I haven’t yet found in Brisbane, Australia! Thank you!
Julia says
So simple yet so tasty! Another awesome recipe!!! Can’t wait to make a second batch, wooo!
Mer Now Fitz says
Having never looked for medjool dates or pumpkin seeds at a grocery store, I don’t know how difficult (or not?) they’ll be to find, but I am definitely going to make it a mission if need be, because this recipe looks heavenly! I was thinking as I read it that I might make it for some friends for holiday gifts, but once I saw that you should eat them from the freezer, I was less sure about the caramels as gifts. If I would be driving them about 30 minutes away to get to friends’ houses, do you think they’d get weird before delivery? What happens to them outside of the freezer for too long?
P.S. I will definitely be making them for myself either way, but I’d rather just make a big batch if you say they’d be good for friends, instead of a trial run first.
Cherri says
Wow!!! These are amazing, love your blog, everything is quick and easy. And mostly, really health too!!! Keep up the good work x
Lynsey T // Eeyore Likes Cupcakes says
These caramels look irresitably gooey and moreish !! Love salty-sweet combinations from the pumpkin seeds. YUM. L x
Yay! Hope you love them, Lynsey!
Kristina says
What a perfect combo of sweet and salty flavors, and such a perfect snack size too. YUM. They look amazeballs–ha, no pun intended :)
Brittany says
I must make this caramel…the easiest vegan caramel recipe I’ve seen!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
I’ve made snack balls with dates before, but I’ve never made caramels with dates! Definitely giving these a go!
Gaby Dalkin says
OH YUM! these would also make an awesome energy boost after a tough workout. And they look super portable!
Carmen says
Hello! I think these look delicious and I really want to try them, but I have a question–is the melted coconut oil mandatory? We have a coconut allergy in our house, and I know these would go over really well! Thank you very much!
It’s not! They should be fine without :D Just sub olive oil or a little hot water. Good luck!
Carmen says
Awesome, thanks!
The Blonde Chef says
I love recipes that use dates as sweetener and this pumpkin caramels look divine! Good call on the pepitas, those are always a good idea :)
Emilie@TheCleverCarrot says
In your face yum! You are outdoing yourself, girl. Ps- I love date caramel and literally just made a batch of granola bars with them Great minds ;) xx
Smart lady. Date paste BELONGS in granola bars.
Anne says
Wow! This looks absolutely mouthwatering!!
Melodie says
I love your site! You always post such delicious, simple recipes and your photography is stunning. However, I have one small criticism: as a reader who checks your blog every day, I would love to see something besides pumpkin as a key ingredient. Obviously, your blog your rules. Just a thought. :-)
Thanks for the suggestion and kind words!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
Yum! I haven’t tried making caramel with dates yet, but I’ve been meaning too. This is the perfect opportunity :)
Gaia Swanenberg says
They look delicious! I am definitely going to try that!
Amy S says
Oh my…Just Yum!… adding to the top of the to try list.
Julie Cookson says
These are addictive! Do you think they are still healthy if you eat five at once!! I also made your pumpkin bread today. It looks amazing but I am saving it for tonight’s dessert…if I have the willpower!
ha! If you eat 5 you’re on par with me ;D Glad you enjoyed these and the pumpkin bread!
Teffy says
YUM!! I am a huge date caramel fan, so I definitely don’t need an excuse to eat dates. With added pumpkin butter and pumpkin seeds? It’s now become my duty to eat this!
charlotte says
They look so tasty! I’m going to have try and make these!
Lauren @ Kale and Cookie Dough says
These look absolutely amazing! Can’t wait to try it!
Millie | Add A Little says
Delicious! SO festive!
jenna @ just j.faye says
AMAZING. I want to make some date caramel right now.
Abbie @ Needs Salt says
I couldn’t agree more about date caramel! I constantly keep a jar of it stocked in my fridge. It’s my go-to natural sweetener for pretty much everything. Plus it’s amazing on a spoon. (: These pumpkin caramels look stunning! I love how you rolled them in pumpkin seeds. So creative and cute!
Candace @ The Wheatless Kitchen says
Good thing I have dates on hand, because I’m making these RIGHT NOW!
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
I just want to eat the mix straight from the food processor! Looks so delectable!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Oh I absolutely love date caramel. Totally digging the fall twist here! I’m ready to snack!
Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table says
Never tried making date caramels… How sweet would you say these turn out? I like to sweeten things with dates because it tastes less jarring… But these seem like they might be too sweet, no?
They are pretty sweet, but the sea salt helps cut the sweetness :D
Danielle @.Chits and Chats and Chocolate says
Dates are magical. And these caramel look super creamy and soft…..I just want to sink my teeth into one (or twenty-five)!
JLu says
It look so delicious!