Dairy Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe - A Nourishing Plate (2024)

by Lindsey Jenkins · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

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.

Dairy Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe - A Nourishing Plate (1)

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 overcrispy 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.

Dairy Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe - A Nourishing Plate (2)

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.

Dairy Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe - A Nourishing Plate (3)

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.
Dairy Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe - A Nourishing Plate (4)

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

  • Indonesian Avocado Shake (Jus Alpukat)
  • Dairy Free Banana Pudding
  • Miso Caramel (Dairy Free)

Dairy Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe - A Nourishing Plate (5)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

5 from 1 vote

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.

Cook Time45 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

Servings: 1 cup

Author: Lindsey Jenkins

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.

Notes

Make It Your Way: Substitutions & Variations

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.

More Cooking Basics

  • Baked Plantain Tortillas (Gluten Free)
  • Homemade Honey Marshmallows (Without Corn Syrup)
  • 5 Minute Almond Ricotta

Reader Interactions

Rate & Review

Dairy Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe - A Nourishing Plate (2024)

FAQs

What is a healthy substitute for sweetened condensed milk? ›

Simmering a can of full-fat coconut milk with 1/4 cup of sugar will result in another great dairy-free substitute for sweetened condensed milk. Whisk the coconut milk and sugar in a saucepan, bring the mixture to just below boiling and then allow the mixture to simmer for 30 minutes.

What does condensed milk do to the body? ›

Benefits of Condensed Milk for Health

Condensed milk is a good source of these nutrients in addition to calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin A, riboflavin, phosphorus, and protein. These nutrients are necessary for healthy teeth and bones, a robust immune system, and a cardiovascular system.

Can you make your own sweetened condensed milk? ›

The ingredients are simple: 32 ounces milk, seven ounces sugar, and six ounces heavy cream, plus a pinch of salt and whatever aromatics you choose. The cream adds a major dose of lactose for more flavorful browning, but more importantly, it prevents the milk from curdling as it cooks.

Can I substitute cream of coconut for sweetened condensed milk? ›

Coconut Cream

The natural sweetness of coconuts makes it a fantastic sugar free substitute for condensed milk. However, if you do wish to sweeten the pot, add some sugar into the mixture and simmer it until the sugar fully dissolves. Replace it for regular condensed milk at a 1:1 exchange.

What is a homemade substitute for sweetened condensed milk? ›

Mix 2 1/4 cups of blue milk and 1/2 cup of sugar. Mix. This has some good to amazing reviews. Mix all ingredients and use as a substitute for sweetened condensed milk in recipes for pies, bars and desserts.

Why is condensed milk not advisable? ›

Evaporated milk has added sugar and carbohydrates which are very high, making sweetened condensed milk not healthy for nutritional intake for babies and children, Ali explained.

Is sweetened condensed milk inflammatory? ›

The sweetened condensed milk was more inflammatory than the high-fat diet and induced hepatic fibrosis.

Is it OK to drink a can of condensed milk? ›

Can I drink sweetened condensed milk? It is a ready-to-use product so it may be consumed without any other preparation. You can add it to everyday items like in your coffee, on toast with cinnamon, on fruit or yogurt, and in any way you see fit.

Is it okay to drink condensed milk everyday? ›

Consuming condensed milk regularly in moderate amounts may not be harmful to your health. However, it's important to keep in mind that condensed milk is high in calories and sugar, and consuming too much of it can have negative health consequences.

Why is condensed milk so expensive? ›

Additionally, manufacturers have also increased their sourcing of raw ingredients in order to ensure the continued availability of the product. In short, the demand for sweetened condensed milk in North America is currently outstripping the supply, resulting in a shortage and a rise in the cost of the product.

Is it cheaper to make or buy condensed milk? ›

Homemade condensed milk is not only cheaper, but it tastes more delicious, as making it requires less heat and sugar, allowing the flavor of the milk to come through. Also, canned condensed milk can contain preservatives or additives, while homemade condensed milk only takes two ingredients to make.

Is there a difference between sweetened condensed milk and condensed milk? ›

Condensed milk is evaporated milk that typically has sweetener added, so much so that the terms 'condensed milk' and 'sweetened condensed milk' are used interchangeably.

Can you buy dairy free condensed milk? ›

Nestlé Plant Based Condensed Milk Alternative is made from rice flour and oat flour and is perfect ingredient for delicious vegan baking. It is a great ingredient for creating tasty dairy alternative sweet treats such as cakes, cookies, brownies, cheesecake, caramel slice and more.

Is honey a good substitute for condensed milk? ›

It was pointed out that honey could be considered as a replacement for sweetened condensed milk as a reinforcer, since honey is a similarly manipulable reinforcer and has the additional advantage that it does not spoil as easily as sweetened condensed milk.

Is there a coconut condensed milk? ›

Coconut condensed milk has long been an option out there, but only became a supermarket staple more recently.

What is the same as sweetened condensed milk? ›

Condensed milk is evaporated milk that typically has sweetener added, so much so that the terms 'condensed milk' and 'sweetened condensed milk' are used interchangeably. Sugar is added before canning; condensed milk is very sweet and contains about 40 to 45 percent sugar.

Is sweetened condensed milk better for you than sugar? ›

Using sweetened condensed milk to boost calorie content may be more beneficial than using sugar alone since the product also provides extra protein, fat and some bone-healthy minerals like calcium and phosphorus. You can store sweetened condensed milk for a long time without refrigeration.

Can you use normal milk instead of condensed milk? ›

While you could use ordinary milk wherever evaporated is called for, in sauces or in coffee, it would taste thinner. CONDENSED milk is both evaporated and preserved with a great deal of sugar. It is almost a liquid candy straight out of the can. To substitute you would need to add more sugar to your recipe.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rueben Jacobs

Last Updated:

Views: 6058

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rueben Jacobs

Birthday: 1999-03-14

Address: 951 Caterina Walk, Schambergerside, CA 67667-0896

Phone: +6881806848632

Job: Internal Education Planner

Hobby: Candle making, Cabaret, Poi, Gambling, Rock climbing, Wood carving, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Rueben Jacobs, I am a cooperative, beautiful, kind, comfortable, glamorous, open, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.