When I gave up processed and refined sweeteners I never thought I would be able to enjoy a caramel apple again, until I created this.
Although they’re perfect for the Fall or Halloween, you can enjoy this healthy treat any time of year! They look just like the “real” thing and kids of all ages love them!
Healthy Caramel Apples - Raw and Unprocessed
Ingredients
For the Date Paste:
- 1 pound dates pitted
- 1 cup water, unsweetened non-dairy milk, or unsweetened juice
For the Apples:
- date paste
- 1 tablespoon alcohol-free vanilla
- apples
- sticks
Optional Toppings
- chopped nuts unsalted
- cacao nibs
- shredded dried coconut unsweetened
- Goji berries
Instructions
For the Date Paste:
-
Soak dates in liquid overnight or for several hours until much of the liquid is absorbed.
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In a food processor fitted with the “S” blade, purée the dates and liquid until completely smooth.
For the Apples:
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Place each apple upside down on a flat surface and push a stick into the center. Roll the apple in date paste, using your hands if necessary, to get it to stick over the entire surface of the apple.
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Roll in your favorite topping such as unsalted nuts, cacao nibs, unsweetened coconut, or Goji berries or a combination.
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Chill well before serving.
Recipe Notes
Any extra date paste can be stored in the refrigerator and used to sweeten other recipes.
Photo courtesy of Chef AJ.
About the Author
Chef AJ is a chef and culinary instructor in Los Angeles, and former Executive Vegan Pastry Chef at Sante restaurant, specializing in in plant-indulgent food that is free of sugar, oil, and salt. She teaches how to create meals to transform your health, how to deal with cravings and food addiction, and addresses the emotional side of eating. Chef AJ is the author of Unprocessed: How to Achieve Vibrant Health and Your Ideal Weight and The Secrets to Ultimate Weight Loss: A revolutionary approach to conquer cravings, overcome food addiction, and lose weight without going hungry.
Visit her website, her YouTube cooking show The Chef and the Dietitian, and find her on Twitter and Facebook, and Instagram.
Healthy Caramel Apples look awesome and delicious!
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Where do i find the alcohol free vanilla? particular brands??
Trader Joe’s has an alcohol free brand and Whole Foods has Frontier which is also alcohol free. You can also buy on line or make your own from 2 vanilla beans plus one cup of water in a blender, blend until smooth and then keep in frig.
Love & Kale,
Chef AJ
Thank you.
Fantastic resource – thanks!
What non-dairy milk do you use ? Soya, almond? I’m assuming it should be unsweetened?
I actually don’t used boxed milks because I don’t like to buy food in packages for environmental reasons, and I don’t eat salt or carageneen which is added to all of the boxed milk. I simply and easily and cheaply make my own out of raw almond butter and water, you can get the recipe in my book UNPROCESSED or free on my website hch is http://www.EatUnprocessed.com.
This is a cool (and beautiful) idea but it can’t possibly taste like caramel. ..can it?
If you use a creamy milk for the liquid and be sure to include the vanilla extract in the date paste, then yes, it tastes a lot like cream caramel. I used 1/2 lb dates, 1/2 cup half and half (dairy), and 1/2 TBSP vanilla.
I have fooled many people with these the last 13 years. I was an Executive Pastry Chef at a Los Angeles restaurant for many years and fooled many people with my gluten free, oil free, salt free date sweetened desserts. Dates inherently taste like caramel. Especially the Bahri variety.
I am allergic to milk but even with non dairy milk it tastes like caramel.
Mmm. Cinnamon would be excellent in the date paste, too.
it is, it is.