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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.
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 2657 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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
*Date Caramel inspired by [This Rawsome Vegan Life | http://www.thisrawsomeveganlife.com/2012/02/oh-my-raw-caramel-apples-recipe.html?m=1].
I mean, do you see the caramely situation happening here?? Yummers.
YESSS! Vegan caramel apples! These are total showstoppers – love the twigs/branches!
This is such an amazing idea! As far as taste, as I find dates too sweet sometimes, do you find these taste sweeter, about the same or less than usual caramel apples?
You are a total genius !!! I will have to try these.
AWE! Thank you so much, heather! I am sure you and the girls will love these!! 🙂
Hope all is well and you guys are enjoying fall!
What a brilliant idea! Perfect for making with kids! Thank you for the inspiration!
Also, can I ask what blender you’re using. Mine is really disappointing when it comes to getting smooth results, I really need to find a high power one!
Healthy caramel apples?! Can’t wait to give these a try! Thank you for sharing, these sound like a perfect Halloween treat!
— Dani @ http://www.styledvariety.com
I love everything about this! Bravo Tieghan!
Only you would give us a caramel apple recipe six ways 😉 I love love LOVE that the caramel is vegan. I’ve actually been searching around for a good caramel apple recipe for this Halloween and I think this is finally the one!! 😀
These caramel apples are beautiful inside and out!!! I can’t wait to make them! I’ll take/make mine with bourbon!! Another brilliant recipe!!
I’m constantly surprised by what you can do with dates! And I’m loving the flavor combos…I’m torn on which might be my favorite. They all look amazing!
You are truly Apple lover I am following your blog last few months and found that you are created lots of recipes with apple and all recipes are amazing.
Be still my heart!! Nutella Hazelnut Latte Apples, uuum… yes!!
I love apples and caramels just not together.
In grade school in the fall Mr. Softie (ice cream truck) would sell the red candy apples and I ate the candy and threw away the apple–ugh.
I am not a fan of caramel apples, and still, yours would get me to at least take a bite!!
http://bloglairdutemps.blogspot.pt
These are going to be such fun to make – got to do all the flavours :-).
By the way Tieghan, I made the Apple Cider Roasted Pork Chops and Sage with Brown Butter Gorgonzola Polenta last night…what a hit ! They were divine, and so easy to do. Thanks for a great Monday nights dinner; Have a great week 🙂
i find it so hard to believe that thanksgiving and christmas testing is ongoing (or done! can’t remember what food mag it was but they were doing it in the summer), since it barely feels like fall to me!
i was going to be like, oooh that toasted almond cacao one sounds like it’d be my favorite, but then the nutella coffee one also sounds amazing, and then the coconut pecan one, and now i’m stuck on which to try first! or maybe i’ll just make one of each, ha.