This easy Caramel Sauce (Dairy Free Vegan) is a perfect sweet ending on a decadent dessert. You won’t believe this homemade caramel sauce is ready in about 5 minutes, contains no refined sugars and only has 3 ingredients. This healthy caramel recipe is great for dipping and made from dates, a Food Allergy dream!
I loved caramels as a kid. It didn’t matter if it was caramel candy, caramel apples or the fake glaze from the jar. And the quality of ingredients never matter, to me until now.
Most caramels contain dairy as the main ingredient other things like corn syrup and stabilizers like hydrogenated fats. Clearly not for those with dairy allergies. But there are plenty of dairy free caramel sauces out there like Megan from Allergy Free Alaska’s Liquid Gold or Fork & Beans Caramel Vegan Caramel. Those are really outstanding dairy free Vegan recipes.
But…
Those all take time.
It takes time to make the sauce and more time to make something to use it on, right? And as Summer arrives, forget about it, time just flies out the window. All the extra special activities and social gatherings are almost too much at times. You know what I mean…
I mentioned on Facebook how we sometimes opt out of attending picnics and other social events simple because it’s stressful. Many of you shared your thoughts and concerns with social gatherings to help confirm I’m not the only one who does this. In addition to the stress of people not understanding the ‘deal’ with asking question after question regarding ingredients. Staying at home also relieves the need to cook/bake something to match the food being served. This thread was a great dialog between so many of you. I know only people managing allergies truly understand all the unspoken social rules in keeping safe while eating away from home. It made me feel better talking with you and of course ‘normal’ in my concerns and actions. (You can read the full thread here)
So here’s a quick, easy and healthy dessert topping you could make for taking to social event. Or for just staying at home, like us.
Enjoy this simple caramel sauce that really tastes like the real deal. Feel free to keep that info to yourself when you serve this to your kids. 😉
- 8 medjool dates
- 3 Tbsp oil (I used avocado oil)
- 4 Tbsp water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pit dates and coarsely chop.
- Combine all ingredients in a high powered blender or large food processor.
- Process until smooth. Add less water for a thicker caramel or more water thinner for consistency.
Some other things you may like:
Salted Caramel Brownies- gluten free egg free vegan
Chocolate Avocado Truffles- dairy free vegan
Hello, I’m Laura! Thanks for stopping by… I hope this blog will help you or someone you know and love. 
Ooh, I love date caramel! This variation sounds delicious, so creamy and smooth 🙂
Thanks so much June!
You always inspire me with creative ways to make a sweet treat but in a healthy way! this is awesome Laura, can’t wait to try it!
Aww, you’re too sweet Krista!
I seriously think dates are magic. What a great treat!
I couldn’t believe how much they tasted like real caramel, without blending either. Thank so much Courtney!
What a beautiful sauce, love that you used dates. I have been experimenting with them more and more in my recipes!
Thanks Amy! I’m totally hooked now too.
Caramel sauce that’s also healthy? That’s just the perfect dessert right there!
Isn’t that the truth? ? thanks so much Stacey!
Can’t wait to give this a try, Laura – love the use of the dates!
Thanks so much Melanie! Dates are seem to be so versatile in baking.
This looks really good, Laura! I have never tried to make a caramel with dates! Love the simplicity of this recipe.
Thank you Kelly! Simple with food allergies is awesome!
I bet those dates make it amazing! Looks so good! Love your new site too!
The dates really taste like caramel! Thanks so much!
Talk about genius! I love caramel but the whole sugar loaded versions that take forever make me think twice. Now this is my kinda caramel!!
Easy with a family is always a good thing (and less sugar too). 🙂 Thanks Megan
I love dates and date paste and can’t wait to try this version. It looks amazing!
Thanks so much! I’ll have to look into date paste since that sounds wonderful too!
this looks way too good to be true! So simple but i’m sure it’s absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to test it out!
Thanks so much! I hope you’ll love it.
Yum! I love date caramel, but the version I used to make has coconut in it which Natalia can’t have.
I hope this one can fill the gap (no pun intended), for date caramel! Thanks so much Debra!
This was completely disgusting with avocado oil; that was almost all we could taste. I might try it again with coconut oil instead. (Also, for others’ reference, I had to add more water than this in order to get it to blend. I guess that might depend on the size of the dates.)
Rachel, feel free to use any oil. I have not found our brand of Avocado oil to be over powering as you did. Just keep in mind if using coconut oil, it may become chunky unless warm. And yes, the dates as well as the desired thickness can influence the amount of water used. Hope you’ll try it again!