3-Ingredient Vegan Caramel Sauce
Do you know that I actually had no idea what was in caramel until shortly after making the switch from vegetarian to vegan and getting serious about reading ingredient labels? Vegan caramel sauce was not something I had ever made at home, since chocolate almost always trumps every other kind of candy in my book. Of course, once I decided not to eat dairy anymore, salted caramel became very trendy. And then I wanted caramel too.
I’ve experimented with different vegan caramel recipes over the years—some from medjool dates, others from brown sugar and full-fat coconut milk—and for sure there have been a couple that mimic a similar caramel-like flavor, but when I eat caramel, I want the chew factor, you know? The messy, hard-not-to-have-caramel-on-your-chin sort of deal.
A while back, I was making a recipe that called for coconut nectar as a caramel substitute and I thought it was so completely genius. What makes it even better though, is combining coconut nectar with a little neutral-flavored nut butter. Seriously! Cashew butter is my current top pick, and I bet a rich macadamia butter would be really delicious too. I also add a generous pinch of sea salt to mine because I’m still riding the salted caramel trend.
The chew that was previously missing from vegan caramel? Not anymore. The texture and flavor in this recipe are so spot-on, and you only need 3 ingredients (two if you don’t count salt)! There are so many potential uses, and it’s low-glycemic too! Lately, I’ve been eating vegan caramel as my afternoon snack with apple or pear slices for dipping. Highly, highly recommended.
3-Ingredient Vegan Caramel Sauce
3-Ingredient Vegan Caramel Sauce
Serves: about 1 cup
Prep Time: 5 mins
Finally, a vegan caramel recipe that isn't missing the chew! Just 3 ingredients, 1 bowl, less than 5 minutes, and so many uses. Oh, and it's low-glycemic too!
Cuisine: Gluten Free, Vegan Servings: about 1 cup
Prep Time: 5 mins
Finally, a vegan caramel recipe that isn't missing the chew! Just 3 ingredients, 1 bowl, less than 5 minutes, and so many uses. Oh, and it's low-glycemic too!
Instructions
Notes [2]
The caramel will be thinner at room temperature (perfect for topping sweet breads, cupcakes and cakes) and thicker once refrigerated (ideal for dipping sliced fruit or slathering on toast).
I’ve tried this with a few nut and seed butters. For a more neutral flavor, cashew butter is the way to go. If you’re a peanut butter lover, definitely give my peanut butter caramel a try!
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