Today I’m sharing a newly created treat with you. Maple Caramel Candy Chews.
Son was rifling through our refrigerator the last time he was home for a visit. You know how young males tend to do that, right?
He came across a fairly new container of Medjool dates. After asking what they were (he’d eaten dates in food, but had never seen them “whole,” as other than tasty brown flecks), he pitted one and gave it a try.
He raved over how sweet they were, calling them “candy.” Yes, dates are indeed one of nature’s varieties of “candy” and it was at that moment that the idea for this recipe for Maple Caramel Candy Chews came to me. They’re gluten-free Maple Caramel Candy Chews, of course, as is every recipe on gfe. 
Caramels are those ready-made candies that can be quite addictive when one consumes them. I’m talking about the kind of caramels that are square and come in plastic wrappers in a bag. The ones that contain “Corn Syrup, Sugar, Milk Skim, Palm Oil, Whey from Milk, Salt, Flavor(s) Artificial, and Soy Lecithin.”
You can make wonderful traditional caramels with your favorite ingredients, of course. There are some amazing dairy-free and refined sugar-free caramel recipes online.
Maple Caramel Candy Chews–A Great Holiday Offering
But I wanted something simpler. Much simpler. So I used only two ingredients to make the “base” of these Maple Caramel Candy Chews and then used another ingredient for their coating.
Non-fresh dates and maple syrup create a lovely maple caramel effect and you can use any ingredients of choice (one or more) for the coating.
And yes, I said non-fresh dates. As in sort of dried up.
Really fresh dates can actually be too soft to give you the proper chewiness. They can also be too strong in flavor in my opinion.
When I go on a sabbatical from eating desserts as I do from time to time my dates suffer—hehe. Those are the best dates to use to create these treats.
So while you can use the plump fresh dates in this recipe, I think dates that have dried out some work best. If you only have fresh dates, leaving them out on the counter (versus in your refrigerator or freezer) will expedite them reaching the drier, chewier stage.
Coating the Maple Caramel Candy Chews
The only mistake I made with these treats was to make them too large. Yes, these Maple Caramel Candy Chews look great in the photos and are pretty much the standard size for balls and truffles, but they are naturally rich in flavor, so the size shown is larger than needed.
I would eat half of one and come back much later (or even the next day) to eat the other half. So I recommend making them about half to two thirds the size shown. Think malted milk ball size. (By the way, you know that malted milk balls are not gluten free, right? “Malted” means barley malt, one of the ingredients that contain gluten).
So roll your Caramel Candy Chews about the diameter of a nickel. And to be honest, I think you could even get away with chews as small as the diameter of a dime.
They are that rich and that satisfying. I consider that a very good thing!
These Maple Caramel Candy Chews make delicious, yet healthy treats for the holidays or any time of year. They’re naturally gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegan, and paleo, so they’ll make everyone who visits happy!
And tomorrow is National Maple Syrup Day so you have to make them to celebrate, right?
Maple Caramel Candy Chews with Various Coatings
More Gluten-Free Healthier Treats
~ Almond Coconut Chocolate Truffles
~ Double Nutella (Chocolate Hazelnut Almond Spread)
![Double Nut-ella. Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Almond Spread. Another way--and healthier way--to get your Nutella fix. [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Homemade-Chocolate-Hazelnut-Almond-Spread-Double-Nut-Ella-One-Less.jpg)
![These Paleo Power Balls make the perfect pick me up! Paleo with easy vegan options. [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Paleo-Power-Balls-Ready-to-Eat-Gluten-Free-Easily.jpg)
~ Paleo Triple Chocolate Fudge
![Love pumpkin? You're going to want to make these gluten-free Pumpkin Poppers! Gluten free, grain free, and more free. [featured on GlutenFreeEasily.com] (photo)](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Grain-Free-Pumpkin-Poppers-GAPS-Diet-Journey.jpg)
~ Semi-Sweet Mint Truffles (4 Ways)
![Pumpkin Butter made in your slow cooker. Totally amazing! Spread it on bread, or use it as the base of delectable dessert recipes or for some extra flavor in a savory recipe. [from GlutenFreeEasily.com] (photo)](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Slow-Cooker-Pumpkin-Butter-Gluten-Free-Easily.jpg)
Maple Caramel Candy Chews Recipe
Three-Ingredient Maple Caramel Candy Chews
These Homemade Maple Caramel Candy Chews require only three ingredients. They are super easy and delicious! And pretty healthy, too.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Medjool dates; pitted, loosely packed, and preferably on the dry side (about 19 to 20 dates)
- 1/8 cup (2 tbsp) maple syrup (I used Grade B maple syrup)
- Almond flour, coconut flour, raw cacao powder, cocoa powder, finely crushed nuts, finely crushed sunflower seeds, finely crushed pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, etc. for dusting/coating
Instructions
- Add dates to food processor. Process for about 30 seconds to a minute in spurts. (Note: The dates won’t process into fine pieces if they are dry, but that’s okay.)
- Drizzle maple syrup into the food processor while it’s running. Process another 10 seconds or so. Use a spatula to scrape the sides of the food processor bowl, so that the dates are covered with maple syrup.
- Let all sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Process date and maple syrup mixture another 30 seconds or so, until most of the mixture turns into ball. The ball can be as smooth as you like. I left mine with some chunks (i.e., 1/8-inch chunks) of dates here and there.
- Wet palms of your hands slightly and then roll mixture into balls about the diameter of a nickel (or size preferred).
- Roll in coating (or coatings) of choice noted above or choose your own. (I really liked single coatings of coconut flakes, sliced almonds, and almond flour, but hemp seeds, almond flour, and cocoa powder was also a great combo!)
- Chill, if desired. Store in loosely covered container; they firm up on their own overnight.
- Makes about 10 walnut-sized treats or 15+ smaller sized-treats.
Originally published December 16, 2013; updated December 13, 2018.
Elisabeth says
Ah! These look so good! I don’t have a food processor though. I will keep looking through your yummy recipes until I find something easy to take to my brunch this week!
Shirley says
Hi Elisabeth–Good to see you here! 🙂 Do you have a mini chopper? I think that might work if your dates were fresh. But there are definitely other options here on gfe that don’t require a food processor. Thanks for the kind words, dear. Hope you found something good to make!
Shirley
Elisabeth says
I don’t have a mini chopper either! And my dates kind of get like yours because I don’t use them as often as I should.
I ended up making an old favorite to keep my stress level down. Chunky Apple Muffins and they were a hit! I will browse some more when it isn’t the holidays and I don’t have sugar plums dancing in my head!
Shirley says
Well, Chunky Apple Muffins sound great, so I’m not surprised to hear they were well received, Elisabeth! ;-0 As much as new recipes appeal to us during the holidays, like you said our “scattered” brains (I like the dancing sugar plums image—much better!) often mean that relying on an old favorite of our own instead much easier and totally less stressful. 🙂
Hope you have wonderful holidays!
Shirley
Cheryl Harris says
Mmmm! Must go stock up on dates! These look amazing.
Shirley says
Cheryl–I don’t buy dates often, but when I do I’m always pleased with the recipes I make using them. These treat turned out so very well that I know I’ll be making them again and again! 😉
Shirley
Susan says
Easy and yummy — thanks Shirley!
Shirley says
Thanks, Susan! You’re welcome! 🙂
Shirley
Molly (Sprue Story) says
Your son sounds like my ex (uh, other than a variety of negative qualities that I won’t get into here, I’m sure). He would taste something skeptically and then go on and on about how “incredible” it was. (e.g., “This soup is made with SPLIT PEAS? It tastes so BUTTERY. This is INCREDIBLE.”) I shouldn’t tease him for it, because I’ve been known to do the same thing (“Oh my GOD, butter beans are AMAZING” is something my sister and I have discussed at length).
Anyway, glad your son’s dates discovery triggered what looks like an awesome, easy recipe. Also…I did know about malted milk balls, but just wanted to say I really appreciate that you threw in that note for any newbies who didn’t realize. Your posts are always jammed full of fun stories and useful information. Thank you!
Shirley says
Molly–Your opening statements made me laugh out loud but, of course, I’m all for praise of good food made with real ingredients just like you! Son’s reaction to the dates was cute though, and I love that I could use it as inspiration. 🙂
Most folks do know about malted milk balls, but every now and then there are newbies who don’t or even veteran gf’ers who have not made the connection yet. I find that a few folks don’t learn the basics, but instead rely on a knowledge of products that are gf, but don’t always know the ones that are not gf. Do you know what I mean? Anyway, I really appreciate your sweet feedback. I sort of sometimes do “brain dumps,” you know? 😉 Glad they’re useful and entertaining!
Shirley
Diana says
Just made these for Christmas day. Very delicious and you are right about using older dates to make them more “carmeley” Thank you.
Shirley says
Hi Diana–Welcome to gfe and thanks so much for taking the time to leave this lovely feedback! Merry Christmas! 🙂
Shirley
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says
What a yummy sounding sweet treat! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂
Hope your week is great!
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
Shirley says
Oops, I missed this comment, Cindy! Must have been the holiday factor. 😉 Hope your holidays were great! Thanks so much for your Gluten-Free Friday linky party and all the sharing. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Shirley
Heather @Gluten-Free Cat says
I’m so glad you shared these at RFT! I’ll be highlighting them tomorrow!! I just love simple treats, and this one is perfect. Such gorgeous pictures too! Happy New Year!
Shirley says
Hi Heather–Oh, I am so honored, dear! Thanks for all the generous feedback and Happy 2014 to you, too! Off to check out today’s RFT post! 🙂
Shirley