SouthernTurk
Unusual recipes for curious cooks.
https://www.southernturk.versust.com/recipe/tahini-date-caramel-sauce
Printed September 1, 2026
Printed September 1, 2026
5-Ingredient Magic
Tahini Date Caramel Sauce
Silky, nutty, naturally sweet, and completely vegan—this Middle Eastern-inspired sauce is the upgrade your desserts didn't know they needed. Drizzle it on everything.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
- ½ cup tahini
- ¾ cup hot water
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Preparation
This sauce was created out of necessity when I needed a vegan caramel alternative, but it's so delicious that even non-vegans request it. The dates provide natural sweetness and body, while tahini adds nutty richness and a gorgeous texture.
Preparation
- Place the pitted dates in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let soak for 10 minutes to soften.
- Drain the dates (reserve the soaking liquid) and transfer to a high-powered blender.
- Add tahini, ¾ cup fresh hot water, maple syrup, and salt to the blender.
- Blend on high speed for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth and creamy, scraping down sides as needed.
- If the sauce is too thick, add reserved soaking water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
This sauce keeps in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and can be served warm or cold. Drizzle over ice cream, pancakes, oatmeal, or use as a dip for fresh fruit. The tahini adds a sophisticated nutty flavor that makes this anything but ordinary caramel.
