• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
G-Free Foodie logo
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Baked Goods
    • Beverages
    • Dairy Free
    • Desserts
    • Kid Zone
    • Main Dishes
    • Paleo Friendly
    • Quick & Easy
    • Recipes & Techniques by Cooks We Love
    • Salads & Dressings
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
    • Tips & Tricks
    • Vegan
  • Articles
    • Dining Tips
    • G-Free Foodie Guides
    • G-Free Foodie Mommies
    • G-Free Foodie Product Reviews
    • Gluten Free Advice + Experts
    • KC's Blog
  • About
  • Shop
  • Help!
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse Recipes
  • Articles
  • About
  • Shop
  • Help!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home / Recipes / Desserts

    Fresh Figs with Date Caramel, Dark Chocolate + Pistachios | Vegan + Paleo

    Posted On Sep 13, 2019 · Updated On Jun 17, 2021

    Fresh Figs with Date Caramel, Dark Chocolate + Pistachios | Vegan + Paleo

    Top fresh figs with all the goodness. The date caramel is a knockout recipe too!

    Dairy FreeDessertsPaleo FriendlyVegan

    Share

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Fresh Figs with Date Caramel, Dark Chocolate + Pistachios topped with a little sea salt may be my favorite summer treat! Especially when you consider that they're Paleo-friendly and ridiculously easy to make, and everybody ooooohs & aaaaahs when they see them.

    how to make date caramel

    - Updated June 2021 -

    This is one of those bring to a party: everyone loves you treats. I use dairy-free, soy-free chocolate chips, and I usually leave a few without pistachios if I'm making them for a crowd. The date caramel prep is the hardest part - and it isn't hard at all. I took date caramel recipe inspo from Minimalist Baker, because I started out making her recipe. Now I've got a version I'm really happy with. I think it definitely needs a touch of salt, and vanilla bean paste helps with the "real" caramel flavor. If you don't have vanilla bean paste, DO NOT sub with vanilla extract. That results in a funky high-alcohol moment that is not delicious.

    I put the figs on a rimmed baking sheet and line it with parchment for easy clean up, and I use a disposable pastry bag to get the caramel on each fig. I use disposable pastry bags for all kinds of things now - my cupcakes have never looked better, and it's no longer a challenge to fill little to-go containers with jarred condiments for packed lunches. Score!

    Since 100% of the commercially grown fresh figs in the U.S. are from California, and they grow right around me, I have plenty of access to figs in the summer. I'm happy to share that this date caramel/dark chocolate/pistachio/flaky salt combo is also delicious on sliced rounds of fresh apple or strawberries too. Once you try this, you'll definitely want to make it year-round.

    Top your fresh figs with date caramel and let me know what you think! If you love fresh fig recipes, try Baked Eggplant with California Figs & Leeks or Fig and Prosciutto Salad.

    fresh figs with date caramel

    Fresh Figs with Date Caramel, Dark Chocolate and Pistachios

    KC Cornwell
    Fresh Figs with Date Caramel, Dark Chocolate and Pistachios are a salty, sweet and healthy treat that literally everyone will love. Vegan + Paleo
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Resting Time 30 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 187 kcal

    Equipment

    • food processor

    Ingredients
      

    For The Figs

    • 12 fresh figs halved
    • 1 batch date caramel {see below}
    • 8 oz. dark chocolate chips dairy-free/Paleo if desired
    • 4 oz. pistachios chopped
    • flaky sea salt

    For The Date Caramel

    • 15 large pitted dates
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
    • ⅛ cup water or less
    • fine sea salt

    Instructions
     

    Make the Date Caramel

    • First, check to see if your dates are moist and pliable (slightly squishy). If so, move on to the next step. If not, soak them in warm water for 8-10 minutes, then drain and proceed.
    • Add the dates and vanilla bean paste to a food processor. Pulse, stopping to scrape down sides occasionally, until the mixture begins to form a paste and a few bits remain. Add a scant pinch of salt, set the processor to run on low, and slowly pour in a thin stream of very warm water until the mixture becomes a thick, creamy paste.
    • Scrape down the sides again and taste to see if the date caramel needs more salt. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, if it lasts that long!
    • *To make topping the figs easier, I load the date caramel into a disposable pastry bag.

    Assemble the Figs

    • Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a Silpat, and place the figs on it cut side up.
    • Top each fig with a dollop of date caramel - I usually use a pastry bag, but you can use a small spoon too.
    • Add the chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl and heat in microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring thoroughly between each 30 seconds, until chocolate is just melted. Immediately drizzle chocolate over figs.
    • Before the chocolate begins to set, sprinkle chopped pistachios over the figs and add a bit of flaky sea salt to each fig.
    • Allow chocolate to fully set (about 30 minutes in a 75 degree F room, or 10 minutes in the fridgand enjoy.

    Notes

    Can be stored in the fridge for 1 day in a covered container.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 187kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 4gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 21mgPotassium: 293mgFiber: 3gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 51IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 74mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword chocolate recipes, dessert, fig, fresh figs, paleo recipes, vegan, vegan dessert recipes

    Photos: Alycia Moreno

    fresh fig with date caramel

    Frequently Asked Questions about the Fresh Figs with Date Caramel:

    Is caramel made from dates?

    Most caramel is made from milk, butter, sugar and possibly salt. Date caramel is made with fresh dates, salt and sometimes warm water and vanilla.

    Do Dates taste like caramel?

    Yes! Fresh dates have a sweet, sticky flavor with caramel notes. The additional of salt and vanilla really bring out the caramel flavor in the fruit.

    Are dates as bad as sugar?

    Dates have vitamins and nutrients in addition to their natural sweetness. They are considered healthier than granulated white sugar.

    Are fresh figs good for you?

    Yes! Figs contain lots of fiber, along with being a source of both calcium and potassium. That makes figs great for GI health and bone health too.

    Can you eat the skin of fresh figs?

    Absolutely. The skin of fresh figs is delicious, healthy and safe to eat.

    You May Also Like

    • The Most Common Cooking Mistakes!
      The Most Common Cooking Mistakes!
    • good vibrations
      good vibrations
    • Extreme
      Extreme
    • Being Born
      Being Born
    « Wondering If There Is Gluten In Alcohol? Here Are The Answers.
    The BEST Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Easy + Crispy! »

    Share

    Reader Interactions

    Let Us Know What You Think Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Sign up for our Newsletter & live deliciously G-Free

    K.C. the G-Free Foodie

    K.C. is a farm-grown foodie, born and raised in the fertile fields of California’s San Joaquin Valley. After being diagnosed with Celiac Disease following years of unexplained illness, she has infused her gluten-free life with flavor, fork in hand. Learn more about K.C.

    Featured Recipes

    how to cook duck breast: perfectly cooked duck breast on salad

    How To Cook Duck Breast: Tea Brined Duck Breast

    Gluten-Free Colomba Pasquale

    Gluten-Free Colomba Pasquale | Easter Dove Bread

    White Chocolate Rocky Road colorful

    White Chocolate Rocky Road | Gorgeous + Easy Treat!

    Lamb Chops with Spicy Apricot Sauce recipe

    How to Cook Lamb Chops in The Oven: Lamb Chops with Spicy Apricot Sauce

    SHOP GLUTEN FREE FAVES

    Popular Categories

    • Appetizers + Snacks
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Dining Tips
    • Main Dishes
    • Quick + Easy
    • Salads + Dressings
    • Soups
    • Tips + Tricks

    Footer

    People

    • About Us
    • K.C. Cornwell
    • G-Free Foodie Gluten Free Advocates + Experts

    Business

    • Partnerships
    • Contact
    • Gluten Free Consulting Services
    • Privacy Policy & Disclaimer
    • Links & Cool Stuff

    Follow Me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • TikTok

    G-Free Foodie © 2023 · All Rights Reserved