Hi everyone!! I am so excited to get back to blogging. I’ve spent a couple mornings mostly in the kitchen testing out some recipes and it feels so good. It is so hard getting caught up though. I’m still working at it and slowly trying to get things back to normal. Plus I’ve added a few other things to my plate including some behind the scenes blogging things that will hopefully that will be out of the way soon.
Onto the food! Look at this caramel! Don’t you want to just eat that with a spoon? Mmm! As a disclaimer though, I will say that this isn’t exactly caramel. Similar, and very delicious, but if you’re used to eating real caramel this will seem a little weird. But if you love dates as much as I do, you will LOVE this raw caramel! Plus it’s totally dairy free so everyone can enjoy it 🙂
Plus, it lasts in the fridge for quite a while so I’m sure we’ll all be able to find quite a few uses for this caramel. I’m thinking of putting some on top of my morning oats with bananas, mixing some with sliced apples and some other ingredients for a raw apple pie filling, and of course just using it as a dip for apples.
Yum!
Oh and then I also made apple nachos 🙂 If you haven’t heard of apple nachos, go make some asap! I posted about them before but the pictures weren’t so great so I decided to take some more pictures and share them again.
You’ll have to trust me and try these. Such an awesome way to dress up a regular apple. And if you’re like me, you’re already putting peanut butter or whatever else on your apple so this isn’t so much of a stretch. Plus it’s so much fun for the kids.
If you have tried apple nachos, what are your favorite healthy toppings?
Now that’s what I call an awesome after school snack 🙂 Enjoy!
Apple Nachos with Cinnamon Spiced Raw Vegan Salted Caramel
Ingredients
- 2 C loosely packed Medjool dates pitted
- 1/2 C + 2 tbsp water
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 - 3/4 tsp coarse salt
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Add the dates to a food processor and pulse until broken up into small pieces. Add the water, vanilla and cinnamon and blend until smooth. This may take up to 7-8 minutes, scraping down the sides of the food processor as needed. Once very smooth, add the salt and maple syrup if desired. Blend until completely combined. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge.
Apple Nachos with Cinnamon Spiced Raw Vegan Salted Caramel
Ingredients
- 1 large apple cored and thinly sliced and arranged on a plate
Instructions
- Drizzle:
- Natural nut butters like peanut butter, almond butter or your other favorite nut butter. Or sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter for a nut free version
- Caramel, chocolate syrup, melted chocolate or other sweet sauces
- Jam or lower sugar fruit spreads like chia seed jam
- Sprinkle:
- Whole or chopped, raw or toasted nuts like peanuts, walnuts, pecans, cashews, pistachios, hazelnuts, etc.
- Raw or toasted seeds like sunflower seeds, pepitas, chia seeds, etc.
- Dried fruit like raisins, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, chopped apricots, chopped dried plums, chopped dried banana, dried cherries(sweet or tart!), chopped dried mango, etc.
- Other toppings such as unsweetened shredded coconut, chocolate chips, sprinkles or other candies. Spices like cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice. Crunchy cereals like granola or even crispy rice cereal or corn flakes.
- Dip:
- Dip your nachos into vanilla or honey flavored Greek yogurt, or make your own with plain Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup and a splash of vanilla.
Comments & Reviews
Bridget says
My roommates were talking about making caramel apples..of course I won’t eat the HFCS processed kind, but this is a lovely alternative! Thank you
Heather says
OMG Apple Nachos!!!! Why haven’t I discovered these before, okay this is going to be by new favorite snack, I can’t wait to whip up a batch of these 🙂
Ari @ Ari's Menu says
Ummm, this looks AMAZING!! I saw a couple posts for date caramel, and it is definitely something I want to try ASAP!!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
Hmm. You know I have to try this! I can’t even imagine what it tastes like. Your nachos are beautiful! Super after school or any time snack. 🙂
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction says
What a great snack! Love the caramel!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
These are so fun! I’ve been experimenting with making a dairy-free caramel, but your version is a lot healthier than mine. 🙂
Eat Good 4 Life says
I love this. It would be the perfect after school snack or any time type of healthy snack for that matter 🙂
purelylori says
love it! apple nachos I would be all over that plate! looks perfect!
The Café Sucré Farine says
What a great idea, so much healthier than traditional nachos but they look even better!
Kathryn says
I love the idea of a raw caramel using dates; I can imagine so many uses for it!