Vegan Date Caramel - My New Lover

I wanna be your lover, I wanna be the only one that makes you come running.  I wanna be your lover, I wanna turn you on, turn you out, all night long, make you shout.  Oh, lover!  Yeah, I wanna be the only one you come for.- I Wanna Be Your Lover, Prince

If any of you are like me then you also have a serious sweet tooth.  But I know that sugar is the devil so I do my best to limit my daily intake.  This weekend I was jonesin' for some caramel and remembered that dates taste very similar to caramel.  After searching through youtube recipe videos I combined a few and came up with this recipe.  I didn't know what to expect but I must say this is divine...and healthy.  Have you ever tried date caramel?  Did you like it?

Date Caramel
1 Cup Pitted Medjool Dates
1/4 Cup Coconut Manna or Coconut Cream
1/4 Cup lite Coconut Milk
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 pinch Sea Salt

If your dates aren't gooey you will need to soak them in water for at least 15 minutes.  Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth and creamy.  I wanted my caramel thick, if you prefer a thinner consistency that is more like a sauce you can add water until you get the consistency you want.  I would suggest no more than a couple of tablespoons at a time.

You can add date caramel to everything you would add regular caramel to: desserts, espresso or coffee drinks, ice cream or banana nice cream, etc.  I have been eating this straight no chaser, because it tastes that good to me.