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Cause you know, we need something to balance out all that butter….and cheese.
I have a short and sweet post for you guys today because it’s a pretty crazy week around here and I may or may not have a Thanksgiving Turkey…(or two) on the brain at the moment.
Ahh, the life of me…lately my brain is a little bit into all the different holidays!!
Anyway, I made us a super healthy, SUPER easy fall treat! Think NO butter + NO sugar…wait, what?!?!
I promise, these healthy caramel apples…six ways, are good – SO good!!
Dates are my secret here. They are nature’s candy and they make these caramel apples delicious. Unlike traditional caramel sauce, this date caramel is made in one bowl, with no stove and literally all you need is dates, milk (of your choice) and vanilla. I added a little bourbon and a pinch of salt too, cause well, it’s me and you know I love these things, but if you want to keep things extra simple all you really need are soft plump dates, milk and vanilla. Then just blend all the ingredients in a food processor, or a SUPER HIGH powered blender, and just like that you’ll have a delicious sugar-free, butter free caramel!
It’s actually kind of amazing.
No really, I was amazed by this caramel.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the same as traditional caramel, but it does taste A LOT like it. I can’t say this is better… but then again, you don’t need any fancy candy thermometer, you don’t have to deal with dipping your apples in burning hot caramel and you won’t be making a giant mess!
So I don’t know, maybe these are better??
They’re certainly a million times healthier, and GUYS they’re even vegan. I made a vegan dessert/snack without even trying…and I love it too!
Whoa.
Weird things going on today.
And don’t think I forgot about all the toppings. NO.
Just because I’m calling these healthy, doesn’t mean I’m skipping on the toppings. In fact, I have six different ways you can top (or well, roll) these caramel apples.
Yup, SIX.
It’s only because I love you guys.
Let me break um down for you.
…first, the salted Rice Krispie treat apple with a chocolate drizzle…that’s what up!
…second, the chocolate toasted coconut pecan apple…because pecans + coconut = the best combo
…third, the chocolate covered pretzel apple…enough said
…fourth, the toasted almond cacao apple…for the hard-core health nuts
…fifth, the chocolate peanut apples…because I never tire of peanuts + chocolate
…sixth, the Nutella hazelnut latte apple…because we needed a latte situation, and Nutella’s where it’s at!
So you see, I covered all the bases. And what I am really suggesting, is that you make all these combos. Hey, they’re all pretty healthy, so you can have one each day of the week!
YES. <–DO IT.
Did I mention these only take around 25 minutes to prep??? See, now you have no excuses. Make um!!
Healthy Caramel Apples...SIX WAYS.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces medjool dates, pitted (about 40 plump dates)
- 1/4 cup coconut milk, plus more if needed, any milk will work
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon bourbon, optional
- pinch of salt
- 6 honeycrisp or granny smith apples
Salted Rice Krispie Treat Apples
- 2 cups brown rice krispies
- 8 ounces dark chocolate, melted
- flakey sea salt, for sprinkling
Chocolate Coconut Pecan Apples
- 2 cup toasted peanuts, chopped
- 1 cup toasted coconut
- 8 ounces dark chocolate, melted
- flakey sea salt, for sprinkling
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Apples
- 2 cups pretzels, crushed
- 8 ounces dark chocolate, melted
Toasted Almond Cacao Apples
- 2 cups toasted almonds, chopped
- 1 cup cacao nibs
Chocolate Peanut Apples
- 2 cups roasted, salted peanuts, chopped
- 8 ounces dark chocolate, melted
Nutella Hazelnut Latte Apples
- 2 cups toasted hazelnuts, chopped
- 1-2 tablespoons instant coffee powder
- warmed Nutella, for drizzling
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor or HIGH powdered blender, combine the dates, coconut milk, vanilla, bourbon (if using) and a pinch of salt. Process until the mixture is completely smooth and spreadable, about 5-10 minutes, scraping down the sides once or twice. The mixture should be thick, but not so thick that you cannot easily spread it on your apples. If it's too thick, add 1 tablespoon of milk and continue processing until smooth. The caramel should not at all be runny, if for some reason it is, just add a handful more of dates to the caramel and process in the food processor until smooth.
- Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper. Push twigs or wooden sticks into the top of the apples.
- Prepare your desired toppings so they are ready to press onto the apples.
- When the caramel is smooth and spreadable, grab one apple at a time and use a butter knife to spread the caramel all around the bottom + sides of the apple. Press your desired topping lightly all around the apple. The topping should stick right to the caramel. If your topping has a chocolate drizzle, drizzle the chocolate on the apple OR dip the bottom of the apple into the chocolate. Place the apple on the prepared cookie sheet and then sprinkle with salt (if desired). Repeat with the remaining apples. Place the apples in the fridge until the chocolate and caramel are set, 20-25 minutes. Will store in the fridge for up to 1 week....like they would ever really last that long!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
I mean, do you see the caramely situation happening here?? Yummers.
Sooo good! Thank you so much for this gem. I am trying to cut calories while combating a serious sweet tooth and this will help me.
Thank you so much Monique! xTieghan
Try adding almond butter to your “caramel” mixture before you blend it in the blender. So good.
Ooo love that! Thank you Stacey! I am so glad you liked these!
Great recipe! We used it for a homeschool activity. We used dark chocolate, Chex pieces, and pecans. Yummo!
Thank you so much Jessie!
These are sooo yummy! I didnt even miss the standard candy coating. And they were so easy to make. Our favorite topping combo was, crushed pretzels with toasted coconut and a liberal drizzling of dark chocolate. I had leftover caramel which we put into shortcrust tarts with pecans and whipped cream on top. Amazing! Thanks so much for the recipe.
I am so happy you loved these Sarah! Thank you!
Would they last if made a few days in advance?
Hey Julie! Yes, I think if kept in the fridge these will last a few days. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you! 🙂
I like how you used sticks as a more rustic look as opposed to candy apple sticks. These are so adorable, I like your choice of toppings as well!
Thank you Eden, so happy you are loving these!
This looks amazing, Tieghan!! I recently made my first batch of traditional caramels…delicious but not something I want to do again for another few years. I can not wait to try this recipe! I’ve never heard of anything like this, and I frequent many vegan blogs!
I do have one question: do you have to use medjool dates? I’ve heard that halawi dates have a kind of caramel-y flavor naturally, and deglet noor tend to be less expensive & easier to find. I’d imagine that the drier types could be soaked in water (or cider?!) to make them softer like medjools? I have very little date experience beyond trail mixes 🙂
Thanks for all your amazing recipes. Enjoy the first snows of the year in your new home!
Hey Amber!
I do like to use medjool dates, but if you thinking soaking the drying dates for a bit will plump them up, I think that will be find. They just need to be moist so the blend. Thanks so much for the kind words and I hope you love these apples!
Thanks so much! I’m sure I will LOVE them! Time for some date experiments 🙂
These all look so good, but I especially love the rice krispie one. That is so creative, I know I would love that!
Thanks Chelsea! Hope you had a great weekend!
These are amazing! I’m dying to try them. Once again, you’ve out done yourself. 🙂
What a great idea!! I have caramel apple week going on my blog right now, but they are NOT healthy!