Vegan “Caramel” Candy Apples

by | Updated: October 13th, 2017 | Read time: 2 minutes

Bid adieu to those sticky, guilt-inducing candy apples you’ve eaten at the county fair, and let a healthier version of the delicious treat catch your eye. Instead of a sugary, heavily-processed caramel goo, these apples are dipped in a clean, sticky coating made from dates and sweet potatoes. The soy-, dairy- and gluten-free “caramel” packs plenty of sweet flavor with no regrets, so you don’t have to wait for fall or a special holiday to bob for these apples. Simply top with cacao nibs and walnuts, and enjoy whenever you like!
"Caramel" Candy Apples

Makes 6-8 apples

Ingredients

Apples
6-8 wooden ice pop sticks
6-8 apples

“Caramel”
8-9 Medjool or deglet noor dates, pitted
3/4 cup sweet potato (about 2 medium-sized or 1 large)
4 Tbsp. almond milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract (alcohol free)

Topping
1/2 cup cacao nibs
1 cup walnuts, chopped

Directions

  1. Cook sweet potato by baking, steaming or microwaving it. If baking, bake at 450 degrees F for 50 minutes, flipping once. Steam on the stove for 15-20 minutes. Microwave, covered with a damp paper towel, on a plate with 4 tablespoons of water for 5-6 minutes, until soft. Once cooked, cut it down the center and scoop out ¾ cup.
  2. In a high-speed blender, add the sweet potato and the rest of the caramel ingredients and blend until smooth. Place mixture into a medium bowl and set aside.
  3. To assemble apples, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  4. Push the popsicle stick into the bottom of the apple. Remove the stem from the top.
  5. Mix the topping ingredients together and set aside.
  6. Spread the caramel mixture onto the apple with a knife and sprinkle it with the toppings.
  7. Place the apples onto the prepared baking sheet and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Slice into sections or just bite straight into them — either way, enjoy!

Yvonne

My Eclectic Kitchen is a collection of recipes that celebrates plant-based and gluten-free whole foods. Creator of My Eclectic Kitchen, Chef Yvonne Ardestani, develops healthy alternatives to the normally not-so-healthy foods, and converts recipes into vegan and gluten-free recipes using techniques learned in culinary school and in professional restaurants. All of her recipes are vegan, refined sugar-, gluten-, soy- and dairy-free, and, best of all, devoid of refined ingredients. Chef Yvonne is a classically trained French chef, former restaurant cook under Chefs Suzanne Goin and Breanne Varela, and now a wellness chef. Yvonne’s family, friends, and subscribers are convinced that eating this way reaps numerous health benefits and that it is absolutely possible to eat deliciously vegan! Yvonne is very passionate about and dedicated to promoting a healthier lifestyle, nutrition, helping the environment, and protecting animals from cruelty while still eating deliciously.