Date-Sweetened Vegan Caramel Apples Recipe
These Date-Sweetened Vegan Caramel Apples are a delicious and healthy twist on the classic treat. Instead of traditional caramel, a creamy, naturally sweetened date and peanut butter caramel is used, making the recipe vegan and free of refined sugars. Coated in chopped peanuts with a drizzle of melted non-dairy chocolate, these apples are perfect for a wholesome dessert or snack. They’re easy to prepare, require no baking, and provide a delightful combination of sweet, crunchy, and creamy textures.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes plus 1-2 hours soaking time
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (melting chocolate and blending caramel)
- Total Time: 20 minutes active plus 1-2 hours soaking
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Date-Sweetened Caramel
- 1 cup pitted medjool dates (12-14 dates)
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons unsweetened dairy-free milk
Apples
- 8 green apples
- 8 popsicle sticks or apple sticks
Coating and Topping
- 1½ cups chopped peanuts
- ½ cup non-dairy chocolate chips
Instructions
- Soften the Dates: Place the pitted dates in a medium-sized bowl and cover them with enough water. Let them soak for one to two hours, or even overnight in the refrigerator, until they become soft to ensure easy blending.
- Prepare the Date Caramel: Drain the soaked dates and transfer them to a high-speed blender or food processor fitted with an S-blade. Add the peanut butter, vanilla extract, and start by adding two tablespoons of unsweetened dairy-free milk. Blend until smooth and creamy, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides. Add more non-dairy milk if needed to reach a spreadable consistency.
- Insert Sticks into Apples: Push a popsicle or apple stick firmly through the stem of each green apple. Prepare a plate or baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Coat Apples with Caramel and Nuts: Using a rubber spatula, spread the date caramel evenly over each apple. Immediately roll each coated apple in the chopped peanuts to cover the caramel layer. Place the coated apples upright on the parchment-lined surface.
- Melt the Chocolate: Using a double boiler method, fill a small saucepan with water and place a heatproof bowl or pan on top, ensuring it doesn’t touch the water. Set the burner on low and gently melt the non-dairy chocolate chips while stirring constantly until smooth.
- Drizzle Chocolate Over Apples: With a piping bag or a spoon/fork, drizzle the melted chocolate over the peanut-coated apples to add a decadent finishing touch.
- Set the Apples: Refrigerate the apples until the chocolate and caramel are fully set, ensuring they are firm and ready to serve chilled.
Notes
- Soaking dates overnight speeds up the caramel preparation but soaking 1-2 hours works well too.
- Adjust non-dairy milk quantity to achieve the desired caramel consistency.
- Use green apples for their tartness which balances the sweet caramel well.
- Ensure the apples are thoroughly dry before inserting sticks to avoid slipping.
- Store leftover caramel and coated apples in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For nut-free option, substitute chopped peanuts with crushed seeds or coconut flakes and use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.
