...Caramel alternative recipe..

[Essensual]

Anyone got a recipe for caramel or a similar "taste-a-like"? :)

TIA,

Essensual

[sweetgoddess]

what? you're looking for a replacement for me? gasp ! :eek:


Couldnt resist!
Blessings~
Carmel

[Rawkinlocs]

Oh boy DO I! :D

Now, sorry I don't have exact measurements as I'm not a "measuring kinda girl" when I come up with stuff:

-soaked, drained dates
-nut milk (your choice though I used almond) - or you can simply use water but since dairy caramel has milk in it, I came up with using nut milk to make it even more creamy and caramel-like!
-dash or two of sea salt
-vanilla
-a little coconut oil (optional - don't use if you don't have a brand whose flavor you like/love. I like Virgin De Coco brand...other's I've tried were nasty! But even without that little extra additive, the caramel sauce tastes great!)

Put dates in processor and add (a little at a time) your nut milk and blend until smooth and creamy but not too soupy/runny. Add sea salt and vanilla and blend well.

You can use this as a sauce over ice cream or other desserts or pour on your dehydrator SHEET and dehydrate until firm and able to peel (may need to lightly oil your sheet or fruit roll tray which ever you have). It may take a while to completely dry, but it's really good!! I do half and half (dehydrate half and refrigerate the other half to use or eat as a sauce). Not sure how long it will keep in the fridge because it got used up in one day! :p

Please let me know if you try it and how you like it!

[rawpriestess]

Rawkinlocs recipe is very similar to mine.

1 cup dates (pitted and unsoaked)
1/4 cup almond milk
1 dash sea salt
1 tsp vanilla extract, or 1 inch vanilla bean scraped
1 T raw honey

Mix all ingreients in a food processor until smooth and well blended.

to make caramels, place in an oiled (coconut oil or olive oil) shallow pan, and dehydrate until firm, aproximately 24 hours, cut into cubes and freeze for future use. Take out a few at a time to munch on.

For an icecream topping, simply add more almond milk until desired consistancy and pour onto banana ice cream. Top with chopped pecans and dehydrated cherries for a truly decadant dessert.

[Essensual]

what? you're looking for a replacement for me? gasp ! :eek:


Couldnt resist!
Blessings~
Carmel
SG,

I just found you sister, you're not getting away that easily... :cool:

Rawkinlocs, & RP,

A million thanks. Those recipes sound like they will DEFINITELY do the trick. :)

P.S. You 3 ladies & (Sweet Lips) keep me encouraged every day. Keep up the excellent work!!! ;)

[Essensual]

......I just noticed that the "cheesy" little green emoticon looks just like my avatar. :D

HILARIOUS!

[GlimR]

This has got to be one of the most decadent, delicious things I have had in my last 5 weeks raw (well, 5 weeks tomorrow)

I made the caramel mix in rawpriestess's recipe, in my vitamix. It was so thick I couldn't get it all out but it was way too scrumptious to waste it....so...I added some more almond milk and ice....what an amazing thing....I'm in love....or is it lust!??

I decided to freeze the caramel mix in the pan instead of dehydrating it...one for more immediate gratification and 2, cause I just don't want to use the dehydrator without more in it. Will let you know how they do.

Thanks for sharing this recipe ladies. I haven't really cared for the heavier desserts, just personal taste.....but this was amazing when craving a sweet.

[Beanie]

You guys are amazing!!!!! :D

And I THOUGHT going raw might be restrictive, HA! Its YUMMY!

[rawpriestess]

Oh, I am sooooooo glad you are loving it.

It is one of my FLAVORITES. (my word for favorite/flavor) LOL

[NoGMO!]

Wha??? Caramel!!!!

I haven't had that in years and years -
When I was cooked vegan, I gave up caramel, because the ones at the store, all had dairy milk or heavy cream as a main ingredient, incidentally I never found a cooked vegan recipe for them either.

Raw is so versatile, seems there is NOTHING you can't make!
I will try Rawkinlocs' and Raw Priestess' recipes for sure!

HALLOWEEN CARAMEL APPLES? Yes???

... and RP,
when you dehydrate in a shallow pan for 24 hours, do you use a special pan that breathes? What I mean is, is there a chance for spoilage with this method? Is glass pyrex cool? Like an inch or two deep?
I've ruined a few batches of various things (due to my error) in proper ventilation... I didn't remove the teflex sheets on time. Lived and learned!
Never tried any recipe in a pan though - but would like to try. Anything I need to know first?

[rawpriestess]

Hi NoGMO

to answer you,
caramel apples,

add enough almond milk to the mix to make a sauce (like the ice cream topping)
and pour on a teflex sheet, dehydrate until firm enough to hold, then wrap around an apple, Ta da!!

As far as the pan, I use a large pyrex glass plate, like a 9 X 13 or so, take out a couple of trays in my Excalibur, and place in there. I only fill about 1/2 inch deep or so. You may have to use some olive oil to greese the pan or coconut oil.

[GlimR]

Well.....freezing this recipe di not work....even after being in the freezer overnight it was still very soft...so...I dropped it by tsp's on the teflex sheets and am dehydrating it as individual candies......smells awfully good in here.
I was afraid they might spread when warmed up but they haven't...will have to wait for tomorrow to try them~

[sweetgoddess]

ooooo, let us know how they turn out GlimR. I am drooling! :p

[tvillemom]

I would LOOOOVE to hear how they turn out. I've never really made candy before, and I think this would be just the ticket for a quick "sweet" fix. I've gotta find the mooola ($) to buy a dehydrator. Think I'll go for the cheap Walmart brand everyone talks about. It's only me here eating raw, so I don't want to spend $$$$ just want to spend $$ Look forward to trying these out!
Wendi

[tvillemom]

Just looking to the future (and maybe changing my mind on WHICH brand to buy) When you need to put the caramel in a pan, in the dehydrator, how would I if I buy that cheaper one, that is round with a hole in the middle? I know if I get the Excaliber, I could take out some sheets, and slide in a pan, but what about the round version? I know this is for future reference but I would sure hate to buy something and then find it doesn't meet my needs.....
Wendi

[Tanja_swe]

rawpriestess, thank you SO much for this recipe. It's one of the best caramels I've had both raw and cooked versions! and I haven't even dehydrated it yet :D Can't wait 'til it's done :D

[tvillemom]

OH MAN.....I gotta save for a dehydrator!
Wendi

[ReneeSC]

Wendi,

Go to ebay.com - type in Food Dehydrators - smile pretty!

[greengirl]

Rawpriestess, I made your caramel recipe last night -- omigod -- it's so delicious! I've been raw almost a year now, and I still can't believe how wonderful the food is! :p

[rawpriestess]

Green girl,

I am soooooooo glad that you like them, I love coming up with new recipes.

[SamuelWilson]

Speaking of caramel, has anyone ever tried to make caramel apples?

[NYNewbie]

Thanks for the recipe- I tried it and it was simply delicious
Thanks
Did anyone ever get the recipe for those Nola Bars?

[Cinnamon]

Thank you so much Rawpriestess for yet another wonderful recipe! I just made this as a thick sauce and dipped apple wedges in it... what can I say but YUM! I think I will try dehydrating some of it like little candies dropped by teaspoonful onto Teflex sheets, has anyone tried that and how did they turn out?

My almond mylk is always very thick as I don't strain it so I did have to add a bit of water to get the consistency I wanted but that was my only variation from the original recipe. And if anyone hasn't tried this yet... please do, you will not be disappointed!

Oh my... going back to the kitchen to have some more! Gotta love it... dessert for dinner!

[Kris]

Thanks for bumping this recipe up, Cinnamon. I have been meaning to make caramel dip for apples. Sounds soooo goooood.

[greengirl]

I made the candies as well as the sauce -- EXCELLENT! I shaped them like tootsie rolls and wrapped them in wax paper, twisting the ends... just like the caramels you buy at apple orchards, etc. ;)

[Cinnamon]

Just had to bump this one up again, this Caramel Sauce is THE best! Thank you again Rawpriestess!

I have several bags of little organic apples to dip in this and also I will be using Rawkinlocs version of Alissa's Truffle recipe so I have dates soaking right now!

[aromaticwings]

Question about which dates you use for this.. I have heard Carmelitas are great and actually the best....as they are supposed to taste like caramel anyway.. but was wondering what type you all use.. Seems I can only find the medjool( sp?) ones at Whole Foods.... :confused:

[Cinnamon]

Very good question Aromaticwings, I would also like to know what type of dates everyone has been using. I use Medjool dates because that is about all I can find around here too.

[aromaticwings]

Very good question Aromaticwings, I would also like to know what type of dates everyone has been using. I use Medjool dates because that is about all I can find around here too.
Great minds think alike..... :D

[carolg]

Rp,
Thanks. Still in time to share with my daughter for the grandbaby and the daddy. I wonder if oven would work as my daughter is not into "raw" like we are here so no dehydrator. An alternative to dehydrator appreciated. Thanks.
carolg

[banana shake]

These recipes all sound decadantly delicious! Here's my contribution- a hurry up caramel apple salad:

* Apples, chopped bite-sized
* big dollop almond butter
* big dollop honey
* small sprinkle cinnamon (optional)

Mix together & hide from the kids!

[firefaery]

Drooling...

[truthseeker]

I was just looking around here, as I haven't stopped by in a long while. Anywho I saw this thread and thought you'd like to see what our caramel apples look like. This photo is from last year so we'll have to post new ones ;)

[PixieLed]

Wow thruthseeker those apples do look yummy! And your kids are charming too. :)

I just finished putting this recipe in the dehydrator and I can't WAIT for tomorrow morning! I was never a big fan of caramel before (or so I thought) but this is just divine! Who would have thought such simple ingredients could give such a distinct and yummylicious taste! I'm in awe of you raw food chefs. :) Thanks for the recipe!!

[Seren]

To me, organic medjool dates from israel just taste exactly like caramel :p

Love Seren xXx

[sptygl]

to make it into candies that you can wrap and twist in wax paper, are the proportions different?
sounds good, and can't wait to make this
i ALWAYS have a sweetness for caramel!! yum :p

[ljcoolj]

Rawpriestess....your caramel is WONDERUL drizzled on Alissa's apple pie recipe. Caramel apple pie...one of my favorites!! Thanks for the caramel recipe. I love it and its soooooo easy to make!

[Sarah Elizabeth]

:confused: Well, I tried these a little while ago and I followed the instructions but they didn't turn out. I had it in the dehydrator for over 48 hours and they didn't set...the only thing I did differently is instead of putting the caramel sauce in a shallow pan I put it right on a teflex sheet, since the only pans I have arn't really shallow. It never even hardened enough for me to flip it over. Could somebody tell me what I might have done wrong?