Like a sticky-sweet caramel apple.
In liquid form.
Caramel Apples
This recipe reminds me of those gorgeous caramel apples on display at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Until I got my braces, I looked forward to caramel apples every autumn. (After the braces went on, I was probably more upset about not being allowed caramel than gum.)
Ever since I made the (No Sugar!) Cookie Dough Dip, I’d been curious to experiment more with blending dates as a substitute for sugar. I’ve heard people say they think dates have a caramel-like taste, and therefore I figured an apple recipe would be the perfect place to start.
This caramel-apple milkshake manages to capture all the deliciousness of a crisp, juicy apple, dripping with thick caramel sauce.
Caramel Apple Milkshake
(sugar and gluten-free)
- scant 1/2 cup applesauce
- 1/4 cup pitted dates (such as Sunmaid)
- scant 1/16 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup milk of choice
- 3 tbsp nondairy creamer (I used Silk. You can substitute milk of choice, for a caramel-apple smoothie as opposed to the richer taste of a shake. Or you can sub full-fat canned coconut milk.)
In a little dish, pour a little water over the dates and let them sit for at least two hours. Then blend all other ingredients with the dates and 1 tbsp of the water. (Drain the rest of the water before blending.) Alternatively, you can blend the dates a little before adding the other ingredients. The shake will get thicker as it sits.
Generously topped with Healthy Whipped Cream.
The cream melts into the shake, making it even more rich and delicious. I also drizzled on some brown rice syrup, more for presentation than anything else!
Question of the Day:
Did you ever have braces?
Initially, I was really excited to get my braces on. I even worried I might not need them, because my teeth were always pretty straight. But once the novelty of having braces wore off, I wished I hadn’t needed them. Every orthodontist appointment, I hoped to hear that the darn things were coming off soon!
Yummy link of the day: Healthy Milkshake Recipes.
“Chocolate Covered Katie” Recipes from a vegan kitchen….. Classic 🙂 I can’t wait for he day that it sits upon my bookshelf 🙂 xxx
I have been lucky enough to never have braces. Funny, I wanted them as a kid. Everyone else had them so it seemed like the cool thing to do. Now I’m SO HAPPY I didn’t have them and consider myself EXTREMELY lucky!!
Wow, a caramel apple milkshake…what a great idea..very creative!:)
Happy Monday!:)
I’ve had braces since the beginning of 6th grade! I’m now in 9th grade and I still have them! I *supposed* to get them off at the end of November (but I doubt that I will).
I know how you feel! I’ve had mine on for 3 1/2 years, and I still don’t have an end-date from the orthodontist. 🙁 Hang in there! Remember it’ll all be worth it in the end. I have to remind myself of that too sometimes. I hope you get them off in November though!!
That is fall in a glass! YUM!
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it – but I think I’m going to try adding some apple cider to the mix- I sure love autumn!
Yum! I love using blended dates instead of sugar. It’s been an awesome replacement for me so far. I even made vegan turtle like candies with just dates, pecans and chocolate melted with coconut oil. Mmmm….Plus, I’ve been putting apples in just about everything these days – thanks to a trip to the local apple orchard (and a couple of soon-to-expire coupons). I’m trying to perfect an apple pie smoothie recipe right now. But since you offered up this carmel apple milkshake/smoothie, I might have to take a break from the apple pie and go for the carmel apple 🙂
Aw man, braces were the worst!! I hated how I missed out on corn on the cob for 3 years. It was the thing I requested the night I got my braces off!
Aww I thought the date made the syrup :C
This still looks super good…I’m definitely thinking about bulk date buying tomorrow 🙂
It looks great! I love the messy drizzles of caramel over the top!
And congrats on having all your recipes on the FG most viewed or most favorited page…you should be so proud of yourself, Katie!