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Is there anything quite so quintessentially fall as a caramel apple? They’re one of my favorite treats–arguably of all time–and I rarely miss the opportunity to bite into a crisp, tart apple covered in rich, chewy caramel.
Chocolate shops at the airport most certainly not excluded.
The only trouble with my favorite recipes is that they’re essentially sugar laden with more sugar, butter, cream… not always the healthiest of treats, am I right? But since the base is an entire apple, I decided to take on the challenge of turning the classic fall dessert into a totally healthy and raw recipe.I was inspired to take the raw salted caramel dip I’ve been making for years, made of dates and almond butter, and essentially dehydrate it to make caramel “sheets”. I then cut rectangles out of the dehydrated caramel and wrapped it around the apples, finally covering them with coconut, almonds, and a raw chocolate ganache. Could that get any better?
I used our oven to dehydrate the caramel, since we returned the two we got from our wedding registry after we realized we have zero space for them and they truly only do one thing. If you’re mostly raw or even frequently raw, they’re an amazing little investment, but if you opt for raw only here and there–admittedly less than we should–you can use your oven on the lowest temp with the door cracked open. It worked beautifully for me, though it technically doesn’t keep the concoction 100% raw, and it keeps the recipe minimal, which I love.You’ll love this recipe because it’s
rich
indulgent
healthy
raw
vegan
versatile, and
sweet!
It also takes hardly any hands-on active prep time, and induces far less anxiety than hovering over a pot of caramel waiting for the “soft ball stage”. And all-around win! This raw caramel apple is about to become an autumn staple in your home, I can juuust feel it.
Raw Caramel Apples
A rich, chewy caramel apple made from dates and nut butter. Almost raw, this is a deliciously healthy makeover of the classic fall treat!
Ingredients
- 2 cups pitted dates , preferably Medjool, soaked in water for 4 hours
- ¼ cup raw nut butter (almond or cashew recommended)
- 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pinch sea salt
- 1 teaspoon seeds of 1 vanilla bean , scraped or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6-8 small apples , very small sliver of bottoms cut off to steady the apples
- 1 tbsp flake coconut , optional, for coating
- 1 tbsp chopped almonds or peanuts , optional, for coating
- 2 tbsp raw ganache (recipe follows), optional, for coating
- ½ cup Medjool dates , pitted
- ¾ cup full-fat coconut milk
- ¾ cup cacao powder
- ¼ cup refined coconut oil
- ¼ cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions
- Ready dehydrator or preheat oven to very lowest setting.
- Make the caramel: drain dates and add to blender along with raw nut butter, lemon juice, salt, and vanilla, and blend until very smooth.
- If making in the oven: Place a Silpat on a baking sheet and spread the caramel mixture into a thin layer, using a dough scraper to even the surface. Place in oven and leave door open. Let dehydrate for about 2 hours, or until the surface of the caramel is dry.
- If making in dehydrator: Spread caramel mixture into a thin layer on prepared dehydrator pans, and use a scraper to even the surface. Dehydrate at least 2-3 hours, or until the surface of the caramel is dry.
- Once the caramel has dehydrated just enough, remove from oven/dehydrator and, using a dough scraper, cut caramel into rectangles and remove gently from Silpat or dehydrator pans using the dough scraper. Try to lift the caramel off the sheets rather than just scraping it. It won't just pop off, but should retain its shape and consistency. Pat to the surface of the apple and roll in coconut, almonds, peanuts, or drizzle with ganache. Keep in refrigerator in an airtight container for a few days.
- To make raw ganache: Blend the dates to a paste, then add in coconut milk and cacao powder. Blend to combine. Add in warm water and blend again until smooth. Lastly, add in your melted coconut oil and process until smooth, glossy, and all-around lovely. Drizzle over caramel apples.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Serving Size: 6servingCalories: 394calProtein: 5gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 15gSodium: 397mgPotassium: 715mgTotal Carbs: 60gFiber: 8gSugar: 45gNet Carbs: 52gVitamin A: 91IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 3mg
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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Can you believe I’ve never HAD a caramel apple? I don’t know what I’ve been thinking, but I certainly have no reason to keep putting it off- this recipe is INCREDIBLE and GENIUS. SERIOUSLY. You go.
What. Carla.. no! You must remedy this ASAP! I wouldn’t resist if you tried this recipe to break your palate in.. just saying! 🙂 Thanks girl
These look amazing! I always avoided making caramel apples at home but I can absolutely get behind these raw treats – SOO much easier, and much much healthier. The little twigs you used for them look really cute too 🙂
They’re so much work, right?! But these are so easy and totally guilt-free. Yum yum! Thanks Christine 🙂
Nope, caramel apples ARE fall! And these are flipping awesome looking.
Right?! It doesn’t get any more *fall* than that. Thanks Katrina! 🙂
Amazing!! I feel like I have bad associations with caramel apples because of my days wearing braces, but (as we have discussed), if there’s anything I love it’s date caramel, there’s no way these aren’t delicious! Beautiful styling, too. 🙂
Hahaha!! I totally know what you mean.. caramel stuck for *days*. Thanks Shannon 🙂
Ooh, I love caramel apples! These look like the bomb diggity. Extra points for making them healthy! 🙂
Woot woot, bomb diggity! 😀 Thanks so much Meredith!
These look amazing Cheryl ! What a cut idea! I love dates and will definitely try these !!! Perfect pictures as usual!
Thanks so much Mira! 🙂
God these caramel apples look delicious.. great photography too, Pinned!
Thanks Thalia! 🙂
I’m not sure if I’ve ever actually eaten a caramel apple before, but these are making me hungry!! It really doesn’t get much more fall-like than pumpkin pies and caramel apples! I’m so intrigued by your caramel sauce! It sounds amazing and much healthier than the regular caramel sauce that I usually shovel in my mouth with a spoon 🙂
Mmmm, yes, caramel is one of my go-to’s! I was brainstorming ideas for recipes for the fall and literally every recipe was based around caramel. The raw version at least lets me eat it on the daily without developing, you know, diabetes! 😀
Well done, Cheryl! A truly healthy carmel apple.. and look at that raw, vegan ganache?! I didn’t know it was possible, but you did it again! Always full of surprise and skillfully crafted recipes! Your presentation is stunning, as is your photography. I think I would enjoy these caramelized apples better than ‘regular’ ones simply because it seems I’ll break a few teeth when I bite into one! So I just don’t bother. Thank you, too, for the oven method of dehydration. That’s what I needed!
Traci, you’re really inflating my ego over here! You should tone it down! Hahah 🙂 Thanks always!! They really are yummy, and agreed, traditional caramel apples can require such wrangling of the teeth, although it *would* be kind of cool to always whistle when you talk, due to a caramel apple-induced chipped tooth. Admit it!! 😀
My caramel apples is to your caramel apples as a sumo wrestler is to a pilates instructor. These look delish and like they won’t give you 5 cavities! Great original recipe 🙂
Bahahahaha. There is like *nothing* in this world I love more than a legit, 5-sugars-laden caramel apple.. I mean, goodness. But these I can eat for breakfast and be like… “I’m so healthy. I am *such* an adult. I am a literal role model”. Haha!