Hi, I am Dulcia. I love quick, no-fuss sweets that use whole ingredients and lots of flavor. These 4 Ingredient Date Caramels are one of my go-to treats when I want something sticky, chocolatey, and naturally sweet without refined sugar.
Origins
Dates have been used as a natural sweetener for centuries across the Middle East and North Africa. Medjool dates in particular are prized for their caramel-like texture and deep flavor. You can read more about date cultivation on Wikipedia and look up general nutrition resources at the USDA.
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed medjool dates, pitted
- 2 tablespoons creamy almond butter, or any nut/seed butter
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- 1 cup chocolate chips, or an 8-ounce chocolate bar
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil, melted
Instructions
- Soak the dates in a bowl of very hot water for 10 minutes.
- Once dates are very soft, drain them from the water and transfer the soaked dates to a food processor or high-speed blender. Add the almond butter and coconut oil to the dates, and pulse until completely smooth.
- Transfer the date caramel to a 9×5-inch loaf pan lined with parchment paper, then place the pan in the freezer for 2-3 hours, or until date caramel is firm to the touch.
- Remove the loaf pan from the freezer, and lift the date caramel out of the pan. Place the date caramel on a cutting board and slice into 12 small squares.
- Melt the chocolate chips and 2 teaspoons coconut oil in a heat-safe bowl in either the microwave or over a double boiler on the stove. Once chocolate is completely smooth and melted, dip each caramel square in the chocolate to fully coat. Carefully lift the caramel out of the chocolate and transfer to a parchment-lined plate.
- Repeat the dipping process with all caramels, then transfer to the fridge for 1 hour or until chocolate has hardened and is completely set. Once set, enjoy your chocolate covered date caramels, or keep stored in the fridge to enjoy later on!
Date Caramel Chocolate Bites
- Total Time: 4 hours 25 mins
- Yield: 12 bites 1x
Description
Chewy medjool date caramel squares dipped in chocolate for an easy no-bake treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed medjool dates, pitted
- 2 tablespoons creamy almond butter, or any nut/seed butter
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- 1 cup chocolate chips, or an 8-ounce chocolate bar
- 2 teaspoons coconut oil, melted
Instructions
- Soak the dates in a bowl of very hot water for 10 minutes.
- Drain the softened dates and transfer to a food processor or high-speed blender; add the almond butter and 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil and pulse until completely smooth.
- Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and press the date caramel into the pan, then place in the freezer for 2?3 hours or until firm to the touch.
- Lift the set date caramel from the pan, place on a cutting board, and slice into 12 small squares.
- Melt the chocolate chips and 2 teaspoons melted coconut oil in a heat-safe bowl in the microwave or over a double boiler until smooth.
- Dip each caramel square in the melted chocolate to fully coat, transfer to a parchment-lined plate, and repeat with remaining pieces.
- Refrigerate the dipped caramels for about 1 hour or until the chocolate is fully set, then enjoy or store in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 4 hours 10 mins
Tips
- Use soft medjool dates for the creamiest caramel. If your dates are dry, soak a little longer.
- If your food processor struggles, add a teaspoon of warm water or extra coconut oil to help it blend smoothly.
- For cleaner slices, chill the caramel until firm and use a sharp knife warmed under hot water, wiped dry between cuts.
- Store finished bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Variations
- Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter or tahini instead of almond butter for a nut-free option.
- Sea salt: Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on each chocolate-dipped square for a sweet-salty contrast.
- Coconut: Roll the caramel squares in shredded coconut before dipping them in chocolate for added texture.
FAQ
Q: Can I make these vegan?
A: Yes. Use dairy-free chocolate and ensure your chocolate chips are vegan. The base ingredients are plant-based.
Q: How long do they keep?
A: Stored chilled in an airtight container, they keep well for about 2 weeks.
Q: Can I freeze them?
A: Yes, freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
Conclusion
These 4 Ingredient Date Caramels are simple, satisfying, and perfect when you want a small, homemade candy without refined sugar. If you like easy no-bake desserts, check out more on my site at https://www.dulciarecipes.com/ and try another favorite like my cheesecake filling recipe at https://www.dulciarecipes.com/philadelphia-cheesecake-filling/. For background on dates, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_palm and nutrition resources at https://www.usda.gov/.
Enjoy, Dulcia