Learn how to make this easy plant based friendly condensed milk. This multi purpose one pot sweetener is super easy to prepare using 2 ingredients coconut milk and a granulated sweetener of your choice.
After submitting my Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge recipe, ya didn't think I'd leave you hanging? huh? No that's not my style, I'm a recipe teaser but one who is true to her word.
As previously mentioned I would disclose my vegan condensed milk recipe and here is it - smooth, creamy and totally foolproof!!
There are a lot of recipes floating around the web that call for full fat coconut milk from a can.
I don't have a problem with using the canned stuff as opposed to my homemade version so long as it isn't ladened with pesky additives and preservatives.
Coming from a Caribbean background, condensed milk plays a crucial role in our recipes. Anything from desserts, sweet treats to porridge in the mornings.
As you can imagine finding a vegan substitute for condensed milk is a really big deal for me.
I scoured the internet looking for a homemade recipe, one that is foolproof and not too complex.
Then I came across making vegan style condensed using 2 ingredients some full fat coconut milk and granulated sweetener.
With a little bit of patience and perseverance condensed milk made from coconut milk is birthed.
I was elated, I thought about ALL the recipes I could use it in and how excited I would be for my readers to try it aswell.
The use of condensed milk
- Desserts
- Sweet treats i.e fudge, caramel
- Porridge
- Tea or any hot or cold beverages
Ingredients you will need
- Full fat coconut milk: Be sure to use 100% full fat, not light, preferably with no extra ingredients i.e additives or preservatives.
- Raw cane sugar: I no longer use coconut sugar for this recipe because the results can be very dark, so my go to is light coloured raw cane sugar.
The steps
- Start off by pouring the coconut milk into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Be sure to keep a watchful eye so the milk doesn't burn or bubble over
- Once boiled, reduce the heat to low and pour in the raw cane sugar - whisk thoroughly
- Allow the saucepan to simmer for 40 minutes - throughout this time, stir the mixture constantly
- Once the condensed milk has reduced in volume to about ⅓ and slightly thick (it should stick to the back off a spoon, set aside until cool.
- Transfer to a mason jar and leave to get completely cold in the refrigerator. The mixture will thicken more with time.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to use organic ingredients?
No, you don't. While I do understand the pro's of using organic ingredients. This can be quite costly, so regular full fat coconut milk preferably without additional ingredients works well.
Where can you buy vegan style condensed milk?
Yes, there are various brands that are sold via Amazon or in health food stores. I used a British brand call Biona, for this recipe.
Can you use homemade coconut milk instead?
No. Unfortunately, homemade coconut milk won't suffice simply because it isn't as concentrated as canned full fat. I tried in vain with my homemade coconut milk only to be defeated, believe me the results were humourous.
How long does the condensed milk last?
Store in a mason jar and keep refrigerated for up to a week.
Why hasn't my condensed milk thicken up?
If the coconut milk has lots of additional ingredients it can compromise the texture.
Also, if your condensed milk still hasn't thicken up, you may need to return it to the stove for a 15-20 minutes for further reduction.
To save the recipe add more sugar and simmer for longer (while checking)
Notes and tips
- As the condensed milk is forming the amount of liquid in the pan will be around ⅓ and this is normal.
- Keep the condensed milk refrigerated when cool in a sterilised mason jar for 5-7 days.
- You can use coconut sugar instead.
- You should be left with about ½ cups worth of condensed milk.
- For those of you who don't care for the slight taste in coconut, try my Vegan Condensed Milk made with almond milk instead.
- Make sure you are constantly stirring the condensed milk throughout the given time, don't leave it unattended.
- The condensed milk will thicken up completely once it is completely COLD.
- Patience is key here, it will take up to 40 minutes for the condensed milk to form, don't rush this process or remove the milk from the stove too early.
- Depending on what sweetener you use may have an impact on the colour. For example coconut sugar tends to result in a dark hue which is perfectly normal.
Recipe Suggestions
- Akasan (Haitian Cornmeal Drink)
- Jamaican Hot Chocolate
- Coquito Drink
- Crustless Pumpkin Pie With Condensed Milk
- Yellow Plantain Porridge
- Hominy Corn Porridge
- Soursop Punch
- Jamaican Rice Porridge
- Green Banana Porridge
- Jamaican Peanut Porridge
- Roasted Almond Porridge
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Dairy Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 can of organic coconut milk optional or additive free full fat coconut milk (400ml/14oz)
- ¼ cup of organic coconut palm sugar (40g) organic cane sugar works too
Instructions
- Start off by pouring the coconut milk into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Be sure to keep a watchful eye so the milk doesn't burn or bubble over
- Once boiled, reduce the heat to low and pour in the raw cane sugar - whisk thoroughly
- Allow the saucepan to simmer for 40 minutes - throughout this time, stir the mixture constantly.
- Once the condensed milk has reduced in volume to about ⅓ and slightly thick (it should stick to the back off a spoon, set aside until cool.
- Transfer to a mason jar and leave to get completely cold in the refrigerator. The mixture will thicken more with time.
Notes
-
- As the condensed milk is forming the amount of liquid in the pan will be around ⅓ and this is normal.
-
- Keep the condensed milk refrigerated when cool in a sterilised mason jar for 5-7 days.
-
- You can use coconut sugar instead.
-
- You should be left with about ½ cups worth of condensed milk.
-
- For those of you who don't care for the slight taste in coconut, try my Vegan Condensed Milk made with almond milk instead.
-
- Make sure you are constantly stirring the condensed milk throughout the given time, don't leave it unattended.
-
- The condensed milk will thicken up completely once it is completely COLD.
-
- Patience is key here, it will take up to 40 minutes for the condensed milk to form, don't rush this process or remove the milk from the stove too early.
-
- Depending on what sweetener you use may have an impact on the colour. For example coconut sugar tends to result in a dark hue which is perfectly normal.
Lion says
Thanks for the great recipe. Tried it worked well. Any advice about storing, I guess fridge is best?
Charla says
Hi there, Great! Yes, please keep it refrigerated for up to a week in a glass jar.
Sanaiyah says
Hi can I use regular white sugar instead of coconut sugar
Charla says
It should workout just fine.
Persiasblossom says
If I were to use maple syrup in place of the coconut augar, would I use the same amount?
Charla says
Good question! I have just updated to recipe post to say you will need to increase the amount to 1/3 cup if using a liquid sweetener.
Max says
Hi,
I made it. however it didn’t come out thick and the next day it separated with brown water on the bottom and milk on top. Did you use coconut cream or coconut milk. I use Trader joes Full fat coconut milk but unfortunately it didnt work out.
Thanks.
Charla says
Hi Max, I used coconut milk has pictured. If it didn't thicken up at some point then yes it will separate. You can salvage the recipe by re-heating it and trying again. How long did you simmer it on the stove top for? Sounds like it needs to simmer for longer.
Max says
I simmered it for 40 mins. I bought another brand of coconut milk. I will try this week and will keep you posted.
Thank you for your response.
Leslie says
Hi Max, I have been reading so many negative reviews about Trader Joes coconut milk. Some have said that how they make it has changed. Make sure that when you get the canned FF milk that there are no additives such as Guar gum etc. Check a good Latino market if one is near you if not you can look for Aroy-D coconut milk, Amazon sells it. There is also Savoy Coconut Milk. Good luck.
Abby says
Aroy d has additives while Trader Joe’s doesn’t just saying. It has E345 but deceptively labels it so it appears to have none. If you look on the can it’ll say ingredients: 100% coconut milk, which isn’t accurate bc coocnut milk isn’t an ingredient. If you looks below it tho then it’ll list the actual ingredients usually hidden under a sticker. Trader Joe’s is just coconut and water. My favorite is Thai kitchen tho bc I feel Trader Joe’s has an off taste sometimes.
Charla says
Thanks for sharing that with us Abby.
Linda says
I wonder if one could use a mixture of stevia and coconut sugar as the sweeteners to cut down on carbs instead of just coconut sugar?
Charla says
Yes. that should be able to work. The coconut sugar is used as a diabetic friendly alternative but if you are concerned about carbs a mixture of both should still yield that thick and creamy consistency of condensed milk.
Salt valley says
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe.
Charla says
You are welcome
Gisela says
Definitely want to make this, do you know if is possible to make it on a slowcooker?
Charla says
Thanks Gisela! Unfortunately a slow cooker wouldn't be practical for this recipe.
Jackie M says
Thank you for this recipe as well as the porridge recipe! I will try this tonight! Cornmeal porridge is my favorite (grew up consuming it) and like you I was trying to make it more accommodating to my dietary needs--no refined sugar diet and sweeteners that fall in the low glycemic index .
Charla says
Hi Jackie, it seems that a lot of Caribbean recipes are heavily reliant on condensed milk which results in limitations for those with dietary specific requirements like yourself. My organic condensed coconut milk is a great alternative with a low GI Index too.
Olivia says
How many ml/cups is one can of coconut milk?
Charla says
It should be roughly 2 cups of coconut milk.
renee says
Hey girl,
I made this yesterday evening and although it tastes awesome once put in the fridge it's become grainy is this ok when I put it on a spin it liquidised quite quickly. Mines is also much darker in colour than yours. Do you have any suggestions came across you blog on a whim all I can say is its amazing will be trying many recipes from here. Thank you Renee
Charla says
Hi Renee, thanks for stopping by. Yes, it's normal for the condensed milk to be darker in appearance.
Let me know if you need anymore assistance.
renee says
Thank you for your speedy response i just had the issue with it being much darker than yours, the texture is ok when it is at room temp it's just after being in the fridge I want sure what to expect. X
Charla says
You're welcome Renee. No it's definitely normal and I make this often and the colour varies for me too depending on what sweetener I use, so nothing to worry about there.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Ooooh, I love it. Definitely trying it.
Charla says
Thanks, I hope you like it too.
Immaculate says
Always wanted to make coconut milk condensed milk. Never knew it is this so easy to make . Thanks Charla
Charla says
Hey Imma, yes it's like a mystery has been solved - yes simple indeed.
Yolanda says
Could I make something similar to dulce de leche from this? I guess it has to be cooked longer
Charla says
Hi Yolanda, yes a lot of my recipes use this and my almond milk version of condensed milk to make dulce de leche. You do need to simmer it for a longer period of time.