These Vegan Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints are just 10 ingredients and require NO baking! The outer “cookie” is made from almonds, dates and cacao while the filling is made from dates and coconut oil!
So the other day I had a SERIOUS chocolate craving. Typically it comes and goes—a handful of chocolate chips and it’s over with—but not this time. I immediately knew I wanted to make something sweet, but I didn’t want to turn the oven on and I wanted it to be something that you guys would love, too. May I present these Vegan Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints…
OH! But first. These thumbprints are made the exact same way as my Raw Vegan Nutella Cupcakes, but the more I got to thinking about it the more I thought they seemed more like thumbprints than cupcakes. I hope that doesn’t confuse anyone…. thumbprints, cupcakes—either way, they’re delicious and require no baking.
The chocolate “cookie” part is made from dates, cacao and almonds, while the caramel is made from dates. Have you tried date caramel? I had seen it on Marisa’s blog before but never made it myself. Guys, it’s so easy and SO good. Don’t get me wrong, I love regular caramel, but this stuff kind of takes the cake considering how healthy it is (heh…takes the cake…healthy…makes no sense….never mind).
These thumbprints lasted one day for me. Yes, you read that right—ONE DAY. I ate 3 right after making them and then Miguel came home and he ate three and by the end of the night they were gone. I guess that’s not a bad thing, but it was a slightly sad thing. Chocolate every day please and thank you.
Something I was wondering the other day.. does anyone else go through dates like it’s their job? I know I do. No not those kind of dates, the FOOD. Gosh. I feel like I’m constantly at the store buying more pitted dates. Ever since I started snacking on them straight from the container, I’ve been going through them more quickly, too. I should probably just join Sam’s Club so I can buy them in bulk.
Since these are made with almonds, I figured it was fitting to use Almond Breeze Almondmilk in them to add an extra almond-y-ness to them. Yes, almond-y-ness just became a word and my spell check isn’t correcting it so….it’s real. It has to be.
The best part about these thumbprints (besides the flavor of course) is that they require ZERO baking, meaning you don’t have to turn on the oven meaning you can whip ‘em up without sweating. You will get your hands a bit messy though, so be prepared for that. I’ll take messy hands while baking over swearing while making any day.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Almond Breeze Almondmilk. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support TAE!
Vegan Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints
Print Pin RateIngredients
- For the "cookie":
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1/4 cup cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups 9 oz pitted dates
- 2 tbsp Almond Breeze Almondmilk Original
- 2 tbsp organic maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- For the date caramel:
- 16 pitted dates
- 4 tsp coconut oil
- 9 tbsp warm water
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place all cookie ingredients into a food processor and pulse--it may take up to a minute for everything to come together depending on the strength of your food processor.
- Once everything is mixed, spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray and distribute cookie mixture evenly.
- Use a spatula to smooth mixture, removing any lumps, and then place in freezer for 10 minutes or so, allowing them to hold shape.
- For the date caramel: combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth*
- Remove muffin tin from freezer and, using your thumb, create a hole in the center of each thumbprint.
- Place caramel in the center of each thumbprint.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Q: Have you tried caramel made from dates before? What’s one food that you’re constantly at the store buying? For me, it’s dates and avocados.
If you like these, you’ll love…
No Bake Lemon Blackberry Tarts
these- and the nutella ones- look so delicious! will have to whip them up this summer!
ahhh this looks DELiciouS!
These are what cookie dreams are made of! I love healthier spins on desserts and these have my name all over them!!
Thanks Megan!
Oh, I am so with you on date caramel…and keeping dates on hand. They’re like nature’s candy, and these cookies look fantastic.
Yes! I need dates in my household at all times ha I’m glad you understand.
I’m in love with that filling!
Thank you!
Oh I just love date caramel – it’s so addicting! Have you started stuffing your dates with cashew butter or walnut butter? OMG heaven!! Pinning for later!
Thanks for pinning! YES I love dates dipped in almond butter… a match made in heaven if I do say so myself!
I love making raw desserts like these! Especially naturally sweetened ones 🙂 And i’ve never made date caramel before but it looks delish!
It is! You will become obsessed if and when you try it.
Pretty sure I need to make these ASAP. Just got a BA Breville food processor! 🙂
Yes then you definitely have to!
love that these are no-bake! You always have the most creative recipes, yesterday I was roaming around your blog for an hour looking at them all! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ahh thank you!! ….no seriously you just made my night 🙂
Oh yum! I’d probably tear through a batch of these in one day too! They look awesome! And I love that you added extra almond-y-ness with the almond milk. 😉
Almond-y-ness is where it’s at 😉 Thanks Sarah!
Love that you worked with the date caramel! These look super yummy 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration lady 🙂
I am literally DROOLING on my keyboard right now. These look incredible! I’m a huge fan of date caramel – it’s just way too good. When I go to the store, it’s pretty much a given that I’m going to buy: avocados, bananas, nut butter. I go through those three way too quickly!
Thank you!! Date caramel=the best. I also go through avocados like crazy!
I LOVE thumbprint cookies. They are so festive. You whip up the best raw desserts!
Thanks Dani! 🙂
I’ve never tried the date caramel thing, but I am curious! I’ll have to get on that sometime. Preferably for making these 😉 I don’t actually use dates all that often though! As for foods I’m always rushing out to buy: avocados, bananas and eggs. God forbid I run out of one of those 3 things.
Ahhh those are 3 staples for me too. And ya gotta try the date caramel!
PSA to anyone reading: These were downright amaze. I’m glad I had the chance to personally taste them from the almond eater herself 😉
Hehe thanks Ang!
This is why I don’t make homemade treats very often, because they go so quickly! I had to laugh at how quickly you go through dates, because I’ve had the same batch in my pantry for months. I’m not even sure if they’re good anymore haha.
I’ll take them!! 😀 But seriously..
How can something SO delicious looking be raw and vegan?! My brain is exploding right now. Can you send me some of these to start off my morning pretty please? Pinned!
Haha thanks Taylor!
WOWZERS! Pass the chocolate puhleeeze!!! These are sure to satisfy any craving – and seeing they are so healthy – I can easily eat more than 1 -right?! 🙂
I, too, love my dates, but after landing in the doc’s office with an IV after overindulging in them (I had a bowl the size of three of my heads put together) when I was a teen, I have to pace myself these days!
WHAT?! Oh my gosh…. that’s good to know hahah I’m currently addicted but will remember this the next time I find myself shoving handfuls in my face..