These healthy, dairy free Turmeric & Cinnamon Caramels are the perfect little bites of bliss to satisfy any sweet craving. They are Paleo, Vegan and free of the top 8 allergens. These caramels are made with dates and covered in dark chocolate - a highly addictive combination! (You've been warned!) In addition, they are flavored with vanilla, turmeric and cinnamon.

And not to worry, if turmeric isn't quite your thing this ingredient can be omitted. That being said, the turmeric flavor in these caramels is very subtle. Even my kids loved the flavor.

Homemade Chocolate Covered Caramels that are Actually Healthy

Have you seen the ingredient list for most store-bought caramels? I can guarantee that the most widely used ingredient is corn syrup. But, not in these caramels. You can scour my cupboards, pantry and fridge and you won't find any corn syrup or products containing corn syrup.

Furthermore, many online recipes use corn syrup. And if not, a lot will call for butter, heavy cream and table sugar. Although I'm not fond of regular old table sugar, I have nothing against butter and cream from pastured, organically raised cows. However, since this is a Paleo blog and I don't tolerate dairy well these caramels are completely dairy free.

These caramels are made with dates, coconut oil and a bit of coconut flour. In addition to these simple, whole food ingredients, they contain vanilla, turmeric and cinnamon. All perfectly healthy, flavorful foods from the earth that are minimally processed.

Do I Have to Use Turmeric?

Turmeric is not required for this recipe. Neither is the cinnamon. However, the turmeric flavor is very subtle and boosts the nutritional value of the caramels.

Turmeric contains compounds with medicinal properties called curcuminoids. Curcumin, the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, is responsible for most of the benefits of this powerful herb. In many cultures, turmeric is used for health and vitality. Additionally, turmeric root contains minerals such as iron, protein, calcium, magnesium and manganese.

Why not make caramels with a little extra nutritional boost?

Ingredients in Dairy Free Chocolate Covered Caramels

These caramels contain just 8 simple ingredients. They are Paleo, Vegan and free of the top eight allergens. These caramels have a soft, chewy filling and an outer coating of dark chocolate.

Caramel Filling

dates
coconut oil
vanilla extract
coconut flour
turmeric
cinnamon
salt

Chocolate Coating

dark chocolate
coconut oil (optional)

There are no ingredient substitutions for this recipe. However, the flavorings are optional. So, you may omit the vanilla, turmeric, cinnamon and salt if you wish. Buuuut, I strongly recommend keeping all ingredients for optimal flavor.

How to Make Turmeric & Cinnamon Caramels

These caramels are so easy to make! Unlike conventional caramels, there's no need for a candy thermometer or boiling the ingredients to just the right temperature. These caramels are made with dates, in a food processor and rolled by hand.

First, place pitted dates in a small microwaveable bowl. Pour lukewarm water into the bowl so that the dates are fully submerged. Then, microwave the dates (on high) for 1 minutes and 30 seconds.

Drain the water from the dates and place them in a food processor, along with the coconut oil and vanilla. Blend.

Next, add the remaining ingredients to the food processor and blend. Stop when the mixture is a thick, sticky and smooth substance.

Then, dust your hands with coconut flour and roll the caramel into balls. They can be whatever size you wish. However, I made mine 1 rounded teaspoon in size; which made 20 caramels. Place the balls on a firm, flat surface.

Next, freeze the caramel balls for at least 2 hours. This makes dipping them into the chocolate a whole lot easier - trust me!

After freezing, melt the chocolate and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Once fully melted, remove chocolate from the heat. Retrieve the caramel balls from the freezer and dip (one at a time) into the melted chocolate. (I just use my hands to dip them.) Place them on a parchment lined pan or flat surface.

Lastly, use any leftover chocolate to drizzle on top of the dipped balls. Sprinkle a bit of turmeric over the top for extra decoration.

The caramel softens at room temperature. These are best stored in the fridge or freezer.

More Easy Chocolate Recipes

I love making my own chocolates and truffles! They're cheaper than store bought ones, typically have healthier ingredients and there are so many possible flavor combinations. Here are some others on my site:

Enjoy!