Dairy Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
This dairy free sweetened condensed milk recipe has just two simple ingredients and couldn’t be easier to make. This adaptable recipe is also vegan and can be made coconut-free.
Traditional sweetened condensed milk has just two main ingredients: whole milk (or heavy cream) and sugar. Because it’s quite sweet, it’s typically used in dessert recipes such as ice cream, Indonesian avocado shakes, cookie bars, and fudge. But can also be added to coffee, matcha, or hot chocolate, drizzled on top of fresh fruit, or over crispy dairy free waffles.
Nature’s Charm and Let’s Do Organic are two popular store-bought brands that make vegan sweetened condensed milk. This vegan version is a great option if you can’t find a store-bought version at the grocery stores where you live.
Storebought options can also be a little pricey once you realize how easy it is to make it at home. Plus, with homemade, you can control the sweetness and make different variations.
Ingredients
- Full-fat coconut milk – the coconut cream adds extra richness and creaminess due to the high fat content and will give it a thicker consistency.
- Organic cane sugar – to sweeten the condensed milk.
Find the full recipe in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Dairy Free (Vegan) Condensed Milk
Step 1. Shake up a can of room temperature, full fat coconut milk. Add the coconut milk and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk or stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Step 2. Once the mixture starts to simmer, reduce to low heat. Stir occasionally until the liquid has thickened and reduced by half, about 45-50 minutes. If using organic cane sugar, it’ll be an off-white/beige color.
Step 3. Transfer the dairy-free sweetened condensed milk to an airtight container or jar and allow it to cool to room temperature before putting the lid on. The mixture will thicken as it cools. Store in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.
Make It Your Way: Substitutions & Variations
Please remember that recipes are just a starting point.
How can you make this dairy-free sweetened condensed milk using what you already have? Here are some ideas…
- No full-fat coconut milk? – while you can use lite coconut milk (from a can, not a carton), you’ll have to cook it longer since it contains more water. For best results, I recommend using full fat instead of lite.
- No organic cane sugar? – use white granulated sugar or if you don’t mind what color the end result is, you can also use maple syrup, coconut sugar, or brown sugar.
- Make non-dairy condensed milk (evaporated milk) – leave out the sweetener.
- Coconut allergy? – use other plant-based milk such as soy milk or oat milk for a similar creamy consistency. Avoid using almond milk as it’s too watery.
Variations
If making any of these variations, add them in after the mixture has thickened and has been removed from the heat.
- Vanilla – add vanilla extract.
- Pumpkin spice – add pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice for fall-inspired vegan sweetened condensed milk flavors.
- Chocolate – add cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor.
Helpful Tips
Don’t increase the heat. Do not increase the heat thinking that you’ll speed it up. The condensed coconut milk needs to be cooked low and slow in order to reduce and thicken.
Notice a film on top of the milk? If you go too long in between stirring, you may notice a thin film developing on top of the milk. It’s completely fine if this happens, just whisk it back into the mixture.
Like This Recipe? Try These Next
Dairy Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
Ingredients
- 13.5 fluid ounce can full fat coconut milk 400 ml
- ½ cup organic cane sugar or substitute, see notes
Instructions
- Shake up a can of room temperature, full fat coconut milk. Add the coconut milk and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk or stir until the sugar has dissolved.
- Once the mixture starts to simmer, reduce to low heat. Stir occasionally until the liquid has thickened and reduced by half, about 45-50 minutes. If using organic cane sugar, it’ll be an off-white/beige color.
- Transfer the dairy-free sweetened condensed milk to an airtight container or jar and allow it to cool to room temperature before putting the lid on. The mixture will thicken as it cools. Store in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.