How to make Caramel
A homemade healthy sweetener
You will never believe how good this caramel is when it actually only has one ingredient. It is a vegan honey just made from apples. Now you don’t have to go without your caramel any longer. You can use it as a honey substitute, as a syrup that you control the thickness of, instead of unhealthy corn syrup. It is also much cheaper than buying expensive healthy sweeteners such as maple syrup or agave nectar.
As this recipe only contains apples, it is perfect for a number of diets including vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, paleo, unprocessed and most healthy diets. Best of all this recipe is refined sugar free so you know that all this sticky goodness comes straight from the healthy apple.
This recipe couldn’t be easier but it’s not quick. However it’s worth it for the thick sticky syrup that you get at the end of it.
How to make Caramel
To make the caramel, you just take 1 liter or about 4 cups of apple juice. You can use whatever type of apple juice you like. To make things easier for yourself you can use a carton of store bought apple juice but if you want to be ultra healthy, you can juice your own apple juice if you have a juicer. Some people don’t see what the point of juicing your own apple juice is, if you are just going to cook it anyway, but it’s still healthier and fresher to use freshly squeezed apple juice rather than store bought apple juice as you have complete control over the ingredients. You can use organic apples and you know it’s not been heavily processed or been sitting in a warehouse for a very long time before it gets to you. I however don’t have a juicer so I just used a carton of apple juice and it worked very well. I’m sure the flavour would also be better with freshly squeezed apple juice.
All you do is bring the apple juice to the boil in a large pan and then simmer it until it turns a dark colour and reduces in quantity. This will take anywhere from between 30-60 minutes depending on the size of your pan and how hot the pan heats. Just be sure to watch it when it’s been on for a while as it can very easily burn. If you stir it you’ll see how thick it is. The longer you leave it, the thicker the syrup will become.
If you want to test this to see whether it’s ready, take a small spoonful out and place it in a bowl until it cools down. You can now check whether it’s syrupy enough for you.
Be careful with it when you are pouring it as it’s very hot. Make sure there are no young children around.
Pour this into a glass jar or a bowl, cover and store in the fridge. When you want to use it, you may find it has hardened so you can either leave it at room temperature for a while or you can place the glass jar inside a bowl of boiling water to melt it quickly.
How to use caramel
Now you can use your new syrup in any number of gorgeous ways. For example you could:
- Add it to your smoothies
- Top ice cream with it
- Use it as a dip for fruit
- Use it as a jam or fruit spread
- Sweeten cakes, puddings or breads
The possibilities are endless. Just use your imagination!
This gorgeous sugar free, vegan caramel contains only one ingredient!
You'll never believe this gooey syrup could be made from just one ingredient.
Ingredients
- 1 liter of Apple Juice (Fresh or from a carton)
Instructions
- Bring the apple juice to the boil in a large pan.
- Simmer the apple juice for 30-60 minutes until it changes colour and thickens.
- Test the syrup be placing a teaspoon of apple juice on a plate, wait until it cools to check the thickness.
- Turn the heat off when the syrup reaches the desired consistency.
- Pour straight into a jar and allow to cool. (Carefully. It is very hot)
- Store in the fridge.
- When you want to use it, if you want to soften it, place the jar inside a bowl of boiling water until it melts slightly (if required).
I have shared this with Potluck Party, Allergy Free Wednesdays, Real Food, Frugally Sustainable, Healthy 2day Wedensdays, EOA Deep Roots, Poor and Gluten Free, Wheat Free Wednesdays, Wildcrafing Wednesdays, full plate Thursday, Simple lives Thursday, Penny wise platter, Creative Juice, Eat make grow, Your green resource, Frugal Food Thursday, Thank your body Thursday, Foodie Friday, Gluten Free Fridays, Wellness Weekends, Allergy Free, Freaky Friday, Simple Meals, Healthy Vegan Fridays, Keep it real Thursdays
This post has been shared with these Fabulous blog hops.
Green Thickies also co-hosts a blog hop, Healthy Vegan Fridays so join us on Friday to find fabulous health related articles and healthy recipes..
The best type of blender to make Green Thickies is a Vitamix and you will get beautifully smooth Green Thickies, but you can use whatever type of blender you have or can afford. This blender
is reasonably priced and will easily make green thickies along with lots of other delicious food.
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Hi, I'm Katherine, thanks for stopping by. I healed myself of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and lost 56 pounds. I now have loads of energy for my baby girl and enjoy walks on the beach with my family. I am passionate about helping you improve your health and reach your ideal weight. I invented Green Thickies to provide a complete meal drink for busy people who care about their health.
What an amazing idea, Katherine! This is too cool – I must try this. I’m envisioning [apple-]caramel-coated apples… ;P
Thank you Amber. Yes I was surprised it worked so well. What a great idea for caramel coated apples! It’s never too late for toffee apples! I might try that myself.
Katherine, thanks for sharing. Is its anything like sweet freedom, as that is made from apples, grapes and carob. I am going to buy apple juice tomorrow! Shame your not coming Sunday, hope to meet you soon. x
Hi Sandra, yes it is quite like sweet freedom, maybe slightly more tart. Mine also ended up thicker as I simmered it for longer. Where are you going on Sunday?
hi Katherine, thank you so much for sharing this! I’ve made the caramel from fresh apple juice and used it for my popped amaranth granola, it worked great! the flavour is superb! maybe i could use it as a substitute for sugar in making jams…
I’m so glad it worked so well for you. Thank you for letting me know. Your granola sounds amazing. I’ve never tried popping amaranth. That will definitely be something I’ll have to try in the future! Yes the possibilities are endless!
Wow! When I saw the title of this post I thought the ingredient had to be honey or some kind of sweetener. Apple juice was a pleasant surprise! Definitely trying this! :)
That’s great Dawn, let me know how it goes!
This is amazing! Such a great idea!
Thank you!
I make my own apple juice by boiling apples for applesauce, and then I have apple juice. Wondering if I could use that for this, any thoughts?
That’s interesting. I didn’t know you could make apple juice that way. It’s worth a try, if you boil it long enough I’m sure it would reduce. If you try it let me knows how it goes.
What a wonderful idea! Lovely photo, also. Found you via Wildcrafting Wednesday. :)
Thank you Jan!
Uhm so yeah, this is amazing! Who knew? And I just picked up a free jug of apple juice today at my market (they were giving them away with a purchase over $20) so you know what I’ll be cooking up tonight!
Thanks so much for sharing this on today’s Waste Not Want Not Wednesday!
That’s great Danielle, even healthier, when you try it let me know how it goes!
So Cool! I’m going to make this and then add a little butter towards the end. :D pinning it too!
Great idea. I tried adding coconut oil at the end which was nice while it was melted but then it just hardened as a white layer on top so I decided not to do that again. Hope it went well!
awww. I though adding a pic would use it as a profile pic not enlarge it. Sorry about that. I can’t find the delet button.
Yes sorry about that. It was a feature I added in if anyone wanted to share their recipes but I’ve decided to take it out now as I’m not sure how to edit it either!
Wow, this was a huge surprise! How neat – can’t wait to try. :)
Thank you, will look forward to hearing about it!
That’s so cool! Thanks so much for sharing at Thrifty Thursday. :) I’m pinning it!
What an incredible idea!! Thanks for bringing this to Tuesday’s Table – hope you come back next week!
I will have to try this. Neat idea.
Wow what a great tip! Awesome, I will have to try this ;)
By the way, thanks so much for sharing this recipe at the last Potluck Party – I’ve extended it so it runs through this week also. (you’re welcome to add something new if you wish ;))
http://www.lifeologia.com/potluck-party-bringing-in-the-holidays-vegan-and-gluten-free-recipes/
Ps. Just wanted to remind you about the FREE recipe eBook I have – hope you grabbed a copy ;)
http://www.lifeologia.com/ellas-gluten-free-vegan-holidays-ebook-is-here/
xoxo
Happy Holidays!
Ella
Wow what a great tip! Awesome, I will have to try this ;)
By the way, thanks so much for sharing this recipe at the last Potluck Party – I’ve extended it so it runs through this week also. (you’re welcome to add something new if you wish ;))
http://www.lifeologia.com/potluck-party-bringing-in-the-holidays-vegan-and-gluten-free-recipes/
Ps. Just wanted to remind you about the FREE recipe eBook I have – hope you grabbed a copy ;)
http://www.lifeologia.com/ellas-gluten-free-vegan-holidays-ebook-is-here/
xoxo
Happy Holidays!
Ella
I was so pleasantly surprised to see it was apple juice and not some other unnatural sweetener. I am going to try this, as I am a big fan of caramel, but it is hard to find without corn syrup. Thanks for sharing on Hearth & Soul Hop. :)
Thank you so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great day and come back real soon!
Miz Helen
YUM, how cool its made from apple juice! Love that! And easy too!
We have been having such great recipes at our Gluten Free Fridays parties! I really appreciate you being part of the link up and part of the community! :)
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! :)
I hope to see you again this week!
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
I need to make some apple juice so I can make this! :) Thanks for sharing with Simple Meals Friday! This is one of our featured posts! I hope you join us again for our Holiday Edition.
http://mexicanwildflower.blogspot.mx/2012/12/simple-meals-friday-12-holiday-addition.html
Thank you so much! Hope you had a great Christmas!