Caramel Date Sauce {quick & easy}

Early on I came up with a recipe for a caramel sauce so my son could enjoy dipping apples in it while following a special diet. It evolved and led me to create more recipes with a caramel "candy-like" flavor and texture, like my caramel nut bars and candied apples. I simmer a few simple ingredients long enough to turn it into a thick sauce, or with a slightly longer simmer it develops a chewy candy texture.

Lately I'm interested in quick and easy recipes and I spotted some using dates with a variety of ingredients and measurements. I played around a bit to find the flavor and texture I like, and here's what I landed on.

Dates, coconut milk (or other milk), vanilla extract, and a bit of salt. I use Medjool dates that are soft and on the larger side. If your dates are on the dry or firm side, soak them in hot water for 20 minutes or so. If they're small you may need to add a few more to the recipe.

You can use any milk here. I just happen to have coconut milk on hand most of the time. I've also used coconut cream, but it's quite thick so I cut it in half with water to imitate coconut milk, using ½ cup of water plus ½ cup of coconut cream. Other options are almond milk, cashew milk, or any other non-dairy or dairy milk.