You will continue to smash down the dates into the coconut cream. Continue to stir & smash down the dates for about 5-6 minutes, occasionally staring & mashing until it becomes a thick caramel paste.
At minute 5 add in the salt & vanilla extract. Continue to stir until there are no large date pieces & it is thick like caramel. Set aside on back burner & let cool for 2 minutes.