Date Caramel Apple
If you’re looking for a healthy twist on a classic caramel apple, you’re in for a treat! Meet the date caramel apple, a delicious and wholesome treat that swaps out traditional sugar-laden caramel for naturally sweet dates!
It’s a game-changer for anyone who loves indulgent snacks but wants to skip the processed sugar.
Perfect for fall gatherings, a fun kitchen project with the kids, or just a cozy treat for yourself, this date caramel apple is as satisfying as they are nutritious.
Ready to dig in? Let’s get started!
Why you’ll love this date caramel apple
Here’s why you’ll fall in love with this recipe:
All-natural sweetness – Forget the processed sugar! The “caramel” in this recipe is made entirely with sweet, sticky dates, giving you a dessert that’s naturally delicious and wholesome.
Easy – This recipe is easy to make and fun to boot. You’ll have it made in no time.
Simple and nourishing – With just a handful of ingredients, you can whip up this caramel apple any time. Plus, you’re getting the goodness of fiber-rich dates and the crunch of fresh apples.
Enjoy a dessert that feels indulgent but is packed with real ingredients you can feel good about!
Ingredients and some notes
Making a date caramel apple is all about using simple, wholesome ingredients creatively to recreate a classic.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each ingredient is essential:
- Apple: Choose a crisp apple variety you like, such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, Gala, or Granny Smith. The natural crunch of the apple pair perfectly with the soft, chewy dates.
- Dates: Medjool dates work best here because they’re naturally sweet, soft, and sticky—ideal for creating a caramel-like layer.
- Chocolate chips: A dunk into melted chocolate adds another layer of flavor to the date caramel apple and gives you a surface for toppings to stick to. Opt for dark or semi-sweet chocolate for a balanced flavor.
- Coconut oil: This helps the chocolate melt smoothly. Just a small amount helps a lot.
- Toppings: These add texture, crunch, and extra interest. Whether you go for crushed peanuts, shredded coconut, or even a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, the toppings take the treat to the next level.
Each ingredient works together to create a snack that is so delicious. Plus, it’s super customizable—swap in your favorite apple variety, choose your go-to chocolate, and get creative with your toppings!
How to make date covered apples
Making date caramel apples is easier than you might think!
Here’s how to do it step by step:
- Gather your ingredients and tools. You’ll need pitted Medjool dates, an apple, chocolate chips, coconut oil, skewers, plastic wrap, parchment paper, and optional toppings like chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or mini chocolate chips.
- Prep the apples. Wash and dry the apple thoroughly. Insert a popsicle stick or skewer into the top.
- Make a date caramel “sheet.” Sandwich dates between two sheets of plastic wrap. Starting with your palms and ending with a rolling pin, flatten and roll the dates until they smoosh together into a single mass.
- Wrap the apple with the dates. Peel off the top layer of plastic wrap from the dates, set the apple in the center, and begin to wrap the dates around the apple. Gently peel off the bottom layer of plastic wrap. You may need to trim off excess dates from the top of the apple.
- Cover in chocolate. Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave. Place the apple in the melted chocolate. Use a spoon to spoon the chocolate onto the the sides of the apple, covering the dates.
- Add toppings. Place the apple on a piece of parchment. Sprinkle on whatever toppings you like. Chopped roasted peanuts are a favorite!
- Refrigerate. Put the apple into the refrigerator for 15 – 20 minutes to help the chocolate harden.
- Serve and enjoy! Once the chocolate is set, your date caramel apple is ready to eat!
These naturally sweet treats are perfect for a healthier dessert and are a fun project to make. Happy caramel apple-making!
Prep tips
Making date caramel apples is a fun and rewarding process. Here are some tips to help yours turn out perfectly:
- Choose firm, tart apples. Go for crisp apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Their tartness pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of the date caramel, and their firm texture helps them hold up well when coated.
- Dry your apples completely. After washing your apples to remove any wax or residue, make sure to dry them completely.
- Choose plump dates. Make sure you use dates that are not dry.
- Trim off extra dates. When wrapping your apple in the dates, you may find you have some excess dates when you get to the top. Just carefully peel back the plastic wrap and trim the excess dates with a paring knife or kitchen scissors. Date trimmings can be eaten as is or re-rolled and used on another apple!
With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating perfectly coated, healthy date caramel apple that looks and tastes amazing!
Conclusion
This date caramel apple recipe makes a delicious, wholesome twist on a classic treat.
By swapping traditional caramel for a naturally sweet and sticky dates, you get all the indulgent flavor without the processed sugar.
Whether you’re making them for yourself, your family, or a party, date caramel apples are a win for anyone who want to enjoy a treat.
Date Caramel Apple
January 4, 2025Equipment
- Rolling Pin
- skewer or popsicle stick
- plastic wrap
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 apple
- 12 Medjool dates pitted
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- ¼ cup roasted peanuts chopped
Instructions
- Wash and dry the apple thoroughly. Insert a popsicle stick or skewer into the top of the apple. Set aside.1 apple
Roll out the dates
- Lay out a sheet of plastic wrap. Splay open the pitted dates and lay them on the plastic wrap in three rows of four, forming a rectangle. Lay another sheet of plastic wrap on top.12 Medjool dates
- Start the process of forming the dates into a solid sheet by pressing the dates flat with your palms. The heat of your hands help the dates soften.(If you immediately try to roll the dates with the rolling pin, the dates will move around a lot.)
- After using your palms, grab the rolling pin and gently whack/pound the dates to flatten them further.
- Lastly, use the rolling pin to roll the dates flat and smooth. Be careful not to tear the plastic wrap. There's no need to roll the dates very thin, just get them flat and smooshed to each other. You'll want to end up with a rectangle of dates that's about 10"x 8".
Cover the apple
- Once the dates are a solid sheet, carefully peel off the top layer of plastic wrap. Place the prepared apple in the center of the sheet of dates. Start to wrap the dates around the apple.
- You may find you have excess dates when you get to the top of the apple. Carefully peel back the plastic wrap and trim off the excess dates with a paring knife or kitchen scissors (date trimmings can be re-rolled and used on another apple!).
- Use your hands to press the dates onto the apple to ensure the dates are firmly adhered.
Melt the chocolate
- In a microwave safe bowl (a bowl that is wide and shallow works best), melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave at 30 second intervals. Stir between each interval, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.½ cup chocolate chips, 2 tsp coconut oil
- Peel off the plastic wrap from the date covered apple. Place the apple in the bowl of melted chocolate. Spoon the chocolate onto the the sides of the date covered apple, coating the dates in chocolate.
- Put the chocolate covered apple on a piece of parchment paper. Sprinkle on the chopped peanuts (or whatever toppings of your choosing).¼ cup roasted peanuts
Chill and enjoy
- Put the apple into the refrigerator for 15 – 20 minutes to help the chocolate harden. Once set, your date caramel apple is ready to eat!
