Sea Salt “Caramels”- Only 3 ingredients needed to make these healthy sweet treats. Medjool dates, dark/milk chocolate chips, and sea salt. That’s it! In about 5 min. you can have homemade caramels. (Easy, healthy, Vegan option)
I really wanted to call these” Faux Caramels”but I thought you all might be wondering what in the world is going on over there in SHK land if I keep posting FAUX foods…just last week it was Faux Loaded Potato Skins and before that it was Faux Ice Cream?! Well, I’ll tell you what is going on over here , I’m looking for ways to take foods that have traditionally been higher in fat/calories and make them more nutritious and healthy!
Same holds true for these Sea Salt” Caramels” . Only 3 ingredients needed , no added sugar, fat etc. Just three simple ingredients: Medjool dates, chocolate chips (or carob/dairy free chips if you’re keeping things vegan) and sea salt. The first time I tried these I was kind of blown away by :
- How EASY these are to make (literally you can whip these up in 5 min.)
- Only 3 ingredients needed (I love SIMPLE)
- You can make as many or as few as you like. (thankfully! because I can’t be trusted with a whole big batch of caramels!)
- How much dates really do taste like caramels!
Making these sea salt caramels is so crazy EASY! You can use dates that have pits or have been pitted. If using dates with pits you simply remove the pit. I just kind of squished the center of the date to break it in half and could easily remove the pit. If you are using pitted dates you’ll just need to break the date into two pieces. (you can use a whole date if you want bigger caramels).
You’ll get a little sticky with this next part..but it’s SO worth it! Place one half of the date into the palms of your hands and roll around until the date becomes super soft and can be molded into the shape you’d like your caramels to be. You can see in the picture above my caramels somewhat resemble rectangles. (I’m not too picky about them being the same size/shape but you can absolutely spend a bit more time than I did and get them more even in appearance if you like).
Next…you’ll melt the chocolate chips (or small chocolate pieces or shavings if using a bar of chocolate) in the microwave. I like to use a coffee mug because of the handle, it makes it super easy to grab and not worry about the bowl being hot.
Heat the chocolate chips in 30 second increments. Stir after each 30 seconds because the chips will continue to melt as you stir. It will probably only take about 1 min. total to melt the chips.
Pierce the end of a caramel with a fork and dip it into the chocolate. Place each dipped caramel on a parchment (or wax paper) lined plate or surface.
I used the tines of the fork to make a few grooves on the top of the chocolate for the sea salt to stick into to, but that’s totally up to you. Smooth works too.
Sprinkle a little sea salt on the top of each caramel while the chocolate is still warm (so it sticks).
Pop the plate of caramels in the refrigerator or freezer for the chocolate to harden (10-20 min.).
Once the chocolate has hardened they are ready to bite into…..mmmmm! Look how creamy and chewy. Nothing processed, no added sugar…just a healthy little date (covered in some heart healthy dark chocolate).
Faux caramels or Sea Salt “Caramels” – whatever you want to call them, they are an easy way to indulge your sweet tooth in a healthier fashion.
With Valentines Day coming up…you could whip up a few for your sweetie! If you want to dress them up you can put them in festive little paper wrappers like these. (Amazon link)
- 6 large medjool dates (with pits or without)
- ⅓ cup chocolate chips (milk or dark) (use dairy free for Vegan option)
- sea salt
- If dates have pits, remove. Break each date into two pieces. Roll date around in the palms of your hands until they become very soft. Form into shape you would like your caramels to be (square, round, rectangle etc.) Set aside on a parchment lined plate.
- In a microwave safe bowl, add chocolate chips (a coffee mug works really well). Microwave in 30 second increments until fully melted (approx. 1 min). Stir the chocolate chips after each 30 seconds in the microwave, they will continue to melt as you stir.
- Pierce one end of date caramel with a fork and dip into the chocolate. Place on prepared parchment lined plate. Repeat until all caramels have been dipped.
- Add a pinch of sea salt to the top of each caramel while the chocolate is still warm (so it adheres to chocolate). Place plate of chocolate dipped caramels in the refrigerator or freezer for 10-20 min. When the chocolate has hardened they are ready to serve.
- Store in the refrigerator.
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