How do you make caramel sauce from dates?

It’s easier than you think. You simply blend soft Medjool dates with a bit of plant-based milk, sea salt, and vanilla until creamy. This homemade caramel sauce from dates requires no stovetop, no refined sugar, and comes together in under 10 minutes.

Does date caramel taste like caramel?

Yes—surprisingly close! While it doesn’t have the burnt sugar notes of traditional caramel, date caramel sauce has a rich, toffee-like sweetness and smooth texture that delivers serious caramel vibes, with a healthy twist.

What is the difference between caramel and carmel sauce?

Many people confuse “carmel” with “caramel”—but the former is usually just a spelling error (unless you're talking about the town in California). If you’re after something sweet and healthy, stick with a caramel sauce made with dates.

How to make date caramel without a blender?

If you don’t have a blender, you can still make a chunkier version of this dates caramel sauce recipe. Soak the dates until they’re soft, then mash them thoroughly with a fork. Gradually mix in the milk, vanilla, and salt until you get a thick texture that’s easy to scoop or spread.

Dates Caramel Sauce Recipe – Easy, Healthy & Naturally Sweet

Name: Dates Caramel Sauce Recipe – A Healthy, 3-Ingredient Natural Sweetener
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 16 Medjool dates (pitted; soak for 30 mins if dry); 1 tsp sea salt; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ¾–1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or oat/coconut milk)

Description

This dates caramel sauce recipe is naturally sweetened, vegan, and takes just 10 minutes with three pantry ingredients. It’s a creamy, healthy swap for traditional caramel that works beautifully in both sweet and savory dishes.

Ingredients

Scale

16 Medjool dates (pitted; soak for 30 mins if dry)

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

¾–1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or oat/coconut milk)

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Instructions

1. If your dates are firm or dry, soak them in warm water for 30 minutes to soften.

2. Add pitted dates, sea salt, vanilla extract, and ¾ cup plant milk to a blender or food processor.

3. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

4. If the sauce is too thick, add more milk 1 tablespoon at a time and blend again.

5. Stop to scrape down the sides for even blending.

6. Once smooth, transfer to a jar and use immediately or store in the fridge.

Notes

Use soft Medjool dates for best texture and flavor.

If using Deglet Noor dates, you may need more to achieve desired consistency.

Try variations like spiced (cinnamon), nutty (almond butter), or chocolate (1 tbsp cocoa).

To serve from frozen, thaw and stir in a bit of plant milk to restore texture.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Sauce
Method: Blended
Cuisine: Vegan

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tbsp
Calories: 137
Sugar: 32g
Sodium: 148mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg