These chocolate caramel Easter eggs are a delicious and healthier treat! This allergy friendly candy recipe is simple to make, and requires just a few ingredients.
As I’ve been scrolling through Pinterest lately I’ve been seeing so many posts for homemade Easter candy. Marshmallow eggs, homemade Peeps, copycat Cadbury creme eggs…you name it, it’s on Pinterest.
And that got me thinking about Easter candy, and the fact that most of the Easter candy I enjoyed growing up is not something that’s safe for my boys. Which sometimes makes me a little sad or frustrated, but then I realize that all that store bought candy ends with a sugar crash, and I can make something fun and yummy at home anyway.
And I know that all of you are looking for fun Easter ideas too, which makes it even more fun to experiment and see what kind of allergy friendly holiday treats I can come up with.
I found an Easter egg candy mold, and I just knew that filled chocolate eggs would be fun to make. I know that sunbutter might be the obvious choice, in order to replicate the famous Reese’s peanut butter eggs, but I wanted to do something different.
I was in a caramel mood, and I wanted to keep these a little healthier, so I decided on date caramel filled chocolate eggs.
How do you make dairy free chocolate caramel Easter eggs?
- You’ll need to make the date caramel – blend some Medjool dates with a little water in a food processor.
- Spoon melted dairy free chocolate into an egg candy mold. Place in the refrigerator so the chocolate firms up.
- Once the chocolate is firm, spoon some date caramel into the mold. Top with more melted chocolate.
- Chill until the candy is set, and carefully remove from the mold.
Have you made date caramel before? I love it. I first heard of making caramel from dates on Laura’s blog – she made a caramel sauce that looks awesome.
Since this filling needs to be thick, it requires just minimal ingredients – it simply requires Medjool dates, water, a pinch of salt, and a food processor. And it’s so delicious! Date caramel has a wonderful natural sweetness that’s just right when paired with chocolate.
What type of dates work the best for making date caramel?
Medjool dates work well for this recipe, but Deglet Noor will also work. The fresher the dates are, the better! If your dates are a bit too dry or hard, just soak in some hot water for about 15 minutes, then drain before making the caramel.
Where can I find dairy free chocolate chips?
Both Enjoy Life Foods and PASCHA Chocolate make dairy free, allergy friendly chocolate chips that are delicious. Check your local grocery store, or order these brands online.
What brands of Medjool dates are safe for those with nut allergies?
I know that if you have nut allergies, the question of the hour will be…where can I find safe dates? Is there a risk of cross contamination from nuts or other allergens? I would encourage you to call about any brands of dates that you try, but I do want to share this company, Made In Nature, which has a very thorough statement about cross contamination.
Another brand that may be good for those with food allergies is SunDate, who states on their website that they only process dates in their facility. I have seen this brand at Kroger, Meijer, and Aldi. You should call them to make sure that they are still only processing dates at this time.
I know that everyone has different comfort levels regarding allergens and processing, so please research the brands of dried fruit that you use!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Chocolate Caramel Easter Eggs (Dairy Free).
Ingredients
- 16 Medjool dates You can also use Deglet Noor, pitted
- 1-3 teaspoons water*
- a couple pinches of sea salt
- 2 cups dairy free chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup dairy free chocolate chips
Instructions
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Place the dates and a couple pinches of salt in the food processor and pulse to start to blend them. Add just a little bit of water if needed.
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Continue to process the dates - it will take a minute to puree them completely. Add a bit of water at a time (don't overdo it!). If your dates are fresh, you will not need much water.
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The caramel is done when it is very thick and smooth.
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Melt one cup of chocolate chips in the microwave. Microwave for one minute, stir, then microwave for 15 second intervals until totally melted and smooth.
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Spread the melted chocolate inside some egg shaped candy molds.** Place in the refrigerator to firm up (this will take about 20 minutes).
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Remove the molds and spread the date caramel inside, using a knife to make it very smooth and flat.
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Melt the another cup of chocolate chips in the microwave. Spread this melted chocolate over the date filling. Place the candies in the refrigerator to chill until completely firm, about one hour.
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Melt the final 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and then place in a ziploc bag. Snip a tiny corner off.
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Remove the candy molds from the refrigerator and invert them onto a tray. Carefully remove each egg from the mold.
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Drizzle melted chocolate onto each egg. Place the finished candies back into the refrigerator to firm up.
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Store finished candies in the refrigerator as they will become a bit melty at room temperature.
Recipe Notes
*The amount of water needed will depend on the freshness of the dates. If your dates are a bit hard, soak them in hot water for about 10-15 minutes, then drain before making the caramel.
**My candy mold is made of silicone, which makes it easy to remove these once they are firm. This recipe makes twenty four 1 1/2 inch eggs.
Store candy in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for 5 days.
Nutrition facts are for one chocolate egg.
This post was originally published in March 2016. It has been updated with more instructions.
Does everyone have candy molds? Is there a way to make these without them?
You could make them in a mini muffin pan! A silicone one would work better than a metal one. If you have a metal one, make sure to use parchment liners.
Thank you sweet friend. Sending you loads of my love too. Have a blessed Eater, you and your family💕
Thank you, Caryl! Happy Easter to you!
These are crazy good!
So in love with this! Perfect for me! Thanks for sharing a great twist on a sweet treat I miss!
These look absolutely perfect! I loveee date caramel sauces/concoctions – especially when paired with chocolate!
Thanks, Kristy!
Love this Kelly! Date caramel is not only easy but healthier too! Thank you for the mention too. :D Pinned.
Thanks for pinning, Laura!
These look delicious! My kids hve peanut allergies so we make chocolate SunButter eggs each year for Easter :)
These look amazing and what a creative and healthy idea to use dates!
Thank you!
I love your beautiful treats and how they have a healthy spin to them! Happy Easter!
Thank you so much, Sharon!
So pretty!
Thank you!
I made chocolate Easter eggs too, but from SunButter. They’re all gone now and I still have time to make more before Easter. I think I’ll give yours a try. They’re safe for my son and I’ve been dying to try date “caramel”.
I think you’ll like date caramel, and it’s easy to make! I need to make some sunbutter eggs, now you’ve got me craving them! :)
A beautiful and healthy Easter Treat. I wish i had a batch of these right now
Thank you!
These look so easy to make with such a short ingredient list! That date caramel sounds delicious and so much healthier than the sugar-filled kind!
Thanks, Kristine!
Yum x 1000!!! I made vegan coconut filled chocolate eggs for redux – great minds want great dairyfree easter treats lol! Sharing this all over :-D.
Thank you! I can’t wait to check out your recipe!
You are officially my go-to for dairy-free chocolate recipes! These look amazing!
Thanks, Lauren!
These eggs look amazing! Healthier Easter candy is what my family needs these days!
Thank you!
These are SO cute!
Thank you!