Vegan Salted Caramel Sauce with Optional Smoky Notes
Last week, I made some smoked salted caramel sauce. It was just amazing and I will be bringing you the recipe sometime soon. Sugar and cream, however, are not the healthiest of ingredients, so when I was sent some maca powder recently, I thought I’d try a healthier alternative. This vegan salted caramel sauce is both dairy-free and sugar-free and it’s positively good for you.
I hoped to create something that would taste like the real deal, but I was expecting it to be somewhat inferior to the original. How wrong I was, the vegan salted caramel sauce was equal to, if not better than the full on cream and sugar version. In fact, the original tasted unpleasantly sweet after trying this sugar-free version. The sweetness comes from malt extract, medjool dates and the caramel flavour from both the dates and maca.
Coconut milk would probably be the best milk to use in this vegan salted caramel sauce, but I only had hemp milk to hand. The fat element was provided by coconut oil. Rather than straightforward sea salt, I used smoked sea salt to give a gorgeous hint of smokiness. My trusty Optimum 9200A power blender whizzed everything to a super smooth consistency and the sauce was duly poured over pancakes and served with raspberries. You’ll find the recipe near the bottom of this post.
I received the maca powder from Indigo Herbs as one of their new summer offerings. Indigo Herbs is a well established online shop selling ingredients promoting wellbeing. I highlighted some of their spring range of products in my post on how to make your raw chocolates more interesting.
Organic Maca Powder
Maca is a high altitude superfood root from the Andes. It tastes slightly bitter but with a strong malty, caramel flavour, which makes it perfect for vegan salted caramel sauce. Mostly, I add it to morning smoothies. Maca is said to be good for the adrenals and have a calming effect on the nervous system. It’s particularly useful to take in the summer as it’s good for desensitising skin and enabling it to cope with extreme temperatures. £3.99 for a 100g pack (other sizes available).
Coconut Oil Virgin Coconut Oil
I use a lot of cold pressed organic coconut oil and I’ve written about it many times before. The product is versatile and is said to have many health benefits. It has a high smoke point, so is good for frying, it makes an excellent alternative to butter in baking and it’s a saviour for raw food enthusiasts. Coconut oil is also good for oil pulling. For those not in the know, this is an Ayurvedic technique for cleaning your teeth which involves swishing a tbsp of oil in your mouth for ten minutes or so. It’s said to prevent tooth decay, strengthen and heal bleeding gums and cure cracked lips among a host of other benefits. You’re meant to do it 3-4 times a week, I only remember to do it about once a month. £7.49 for a 500g jar.
Turmeric Powder
Turmeric is something else I use a lot of. I add it to curries, soups and smoothies. It’s well known for being an anti-inflammatory and is meant to help ease the symptoms of arthritis. As my joints get creakier as the years pass by, I’m trying to be more consistent in my dosage. The idea is to have a small glass of turmeric milk every night before going to bed. I haven’t yet developed the habit, but I’m determined to get there. £3.99 for a 100g pack (other sizes available).
Organic Spirulina Tablets
Spirulina is a great multi vitamin and detoxifier which makes it really useful to counteract the effects of all that summer socialising. Whilst it’s easy enough to add spirulina powder to your morning smoothie, these tablets are convenient for taking on holiday with you; they’re packed in a sturdy resealable pouch. £4.99 for a 100g pack (other sizes available).
Super Cleanse Tea
This mix of fennel seeds, liquorice root, nettle leave, dandelion leave, red clover and ginger powder is designed to uplift and cleanse the body of toxins. I’m always up for a bit of detoxification. Simply pour on hot water and allow to steep for a few minutes. It’s surprisingly sweet with some ginger heat and as a liquorice fan, I really like the flavour. £3.99 for a 50g pack.
- 6 medjool dates - stoned
- 1 tbsp malt syrup
- 1 tbsp melted coconut oil, or 2 heaped tsp of unmelted coconut oil (I used Indigo Herbs)
- 1 rounded tsp maca powder (I used Indigo Herbs)
- pinch of sea salt (I used Cornish smoked sea salt)
- 250-400 ml dairy free milk of your choice, depending on how runny you want it.
- Put everything into a power blender and blitz for 30-40 seconds - I used my Froothie Optimum 9200A.
- Pour or spoon into a jar and use immediately or store in the fridge for a week. It will get thicker as it cools.
- Yields one medium sized jar.
- Use 250ml milk initially and then add more as needed.
Jenn
9th August 2016
That sauce looks incredible!! So thick and delicious. I would lick it straight from the spoon (or my finger!) and then pour it on everything!
Choclette
9th August 2016
Ummmm, that might have been just what I did Jenn 😉
Angie@Angie's Recipes
9th August 2016
Such a creative vegan caramel sauce! I love the maca in there.
Choclette
9th August 2016
Thanks Angie. The maca really helps to give the caramel notes.
Janice
9th August 2016
Oh I think I need some of that maca, I definitely need desensitising. My skin has been playing up recently, although hoping some sunshine will wctually help!
Choclette
10th August 2016
Your trip to France must be coming up soon Janice. You should get plenty of sunshine there.
Kavey
9th August 2016
This does look delicious! I’ve never tried macaroni, I’ll look out for it!
Choclette
10th August 2016
I find it best used in small quantities Kavey.
Nayna Kanabar
9th August 2016
Wow this vegan salted caramel sauce looks delectable , it would be perfect drizzled over icecream too.
Choclette
10th August 2016
Yes, definitely good over ice cream Nayna. Cake too 😉
Natalie Tamara @TheTofuDiaries
9th August 2016
I adore anything caramel and anything smoky, so the idea of having the two together is right up my street. Really does sound fabulous! There’s already some maca in my pantry and I’m picking up some smoked sea salt asap!
Choclette
10th August 2016
It’s a very subtle smoky note as such a small amount of salt is needed, but it’s definitely there and is totally delicious.
Jemma
10th August 2016
I really like making my own sauces like this out of superfoods. You get all the taste and all the nutritional benefits too.
Choclette
10th August 2016
Yes, it’s a total win win Jemma and usually so quick too.
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe
10th August 2016
While I haven’t had great success with dates in caramel sauces, I really like the idea of a smoky caramel sauce and I am pleased to see maca in a recipe – have got maca and forget to use it and also am a bit unsure of what to do with it so need as much prompting as possible
Choclette
12th August 2016
Oh no, in what way haven’t you had success with dates Johanna? I tend to add maca to cakes and other bakes as well as to smoothies.
Vicky
10th August 2016
This looks amazing and it’s lovely to read that it tasted as good as the “real thing”! I wonder what a good replacement for the malt syrup is in this recipe, do you think maple syrup would work? Malt Syrup isn’t gluten free :(. The tea also looks and sounds incredibly delicious.
Choclette
12th August 2016
I wouldn’t say the sauce tastes the same, but it’s certainly as tasty. Good point about malt syrup. You could just use a couple more dates or some maple syrup maybe.
GALINA V
11th August 2016
An inspired recipe, Choclette! Maca powder is an ingredient I have never tried. Would love to try your fab-sounding sauce.
Choclette
12th August 2016
Thanks Galina. Maca has heaps of nutritional benefits apparently the and sauce is brilliant as it only takes five minutes to make.
Heidi Roberts
13th August 2016
I am trying to use more and more of the healthy things in my food like turmeric, coconut oil, blue agave syrup and loads more.
Choclette
14th August 2016
Careful with agave syrup Heidi, I’ve heard it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
Emma @ Adventures of a London Kiwi
13th August 2016
So not only is this delicious, but pretty darn healthy too? #swoon
Choclette
14th August 2016
Haha, that’s the general idea Emma 😀
Kate - gluten free alchemist
15th August 2016
This sounds really interesting and looks amazing Choclette. How important is the malt syrup? It’s not gluten free, so wondering what would be a good substitute?
Choclette
16th August 2016
Thanks Kate. I added the malt extract in for an extra ‘caramel’ hit’ and bit of sweetness. I’m sure an extra date or two would work instead.
Manjiri Chitnis
20th August 2016
What a creamy and delicious sauce and sugar free too, I avoid sugar so am always looking at alternates to add that sweet taste. I love turmeric in warm milk – it is my go to home remedy to beat my chronic cough and cold!
Choclette
25th March 2018
Ah Manjiri. I’ve just discovered your comment. I didn’t know you didn’t eat sugar. It’s certainly a good idea to reduce levels of this very addictive substance. I’m not very good at it. I’m with you on turmeric milk, it’s a great drink.
Cathy @ Planet Veggie
10th October 2016
I love salted caramel – making it vegan and healthy is definitely a bonus!
Choclette
12th October 2016
Thanks Cathy. Salted caramel really is one of the best things ever.