Homemade Vegan Condensed Milk: The Ultimate Dairy-Free Sweetener for All Your Favorite Desserts
Crafting your own vegan condensed milk at home has never been easier, opening up a world of possibilities for plant-based dessert making! This simple recipe offers a perfect measure-for-measure substitute for traditional dairy condensed milk, ensuring all your beloved treats can be effortlessly veganized. It’s surprisingly straightforward to prepare, making it an essential staple for any vegan kitchen.
In today’s culinary landscape, embracing a plant-based lifestyle is more accessible than ever before. With an abundance of innovative vegan products, from various plant milks to excellent dairy-free butters and even reliable vegan egg substitutes, nearly any traditional recipe can be transformed into a delicious vegan delight. However, one specific ingredient often proves elusive on conventional grocery store shelves: sweetened condensed milk.
While some specialty stores or online retailers do offer canned vegan condensed milk, it’s not a common find in your average supermarket. This can be a frustrating hurdle when you’re suddenly craving a batch of homemade fudge or a creamy dessert that calls for this rich, sweet component. Waiting for an online order to arrive just isn’t an option when inspiration strikes!
That’s where this incredible recipe comes in. Allow me to introduce you to your new favorite kitchen creation: homemade vegan condensed milk. It’s not just a substitute; it’s a game-changer for all your plant-based baking and dessert needs, ensuring you never have to compromise on taste or texture.
Understanding Sweetened Condensed Milk: What It Is and Why It’s Essential
For those unfamiliar with this versatile ingredient, it’s worth exploring its origins and culinary purpose. Sweetened condensed milk is traditionally a dairy product made by heating milk to remove most of its water content, resulting in a significantly thickened, creamy, and intensely sweet liquid. This reduction process not only concentrates the milk’s flavor but also its sugar content, making it a powerful component in many dessert recipes.
Its unique texture and sweetness make it a staple in countless confections. It’s often the secret ingredient behind ultra-creamy fudge, decadent candies, smooth frostings, and rich homemade ice creams. Beyond desserts, it’s also a beloved addition to various beverage recipes, lending a luxurious creaminess to concoctions like Vietnamese iced coffee or Thai tea. Its ability to add both sweetness and a rich, velvety body makes it indispensable for achieving specific textures and flavors that other dairy or plant-based alternatives simply cannot replicate without careful modification.
Condensed vs. Evaporated Milk: Clarifying the Difference
While often confused, sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk are distinct products, though both involve reducing milk. The primary difference lies in their sugar content. Evaporated milk is unsweetened; it’s simply milk that has had about 60% of its water removed. This gives it a slightly thicker consistency than regular milk but leaves it savory in flavor.
Sweetened condensed milk, as its name suggests, contains a significant amount of added sugar, typically sucrose, which is cooked down with the milk. This sugar acts as a preservative and contributes to its characteristic thick, syrupy texture and sweet taste. This fundamental difference dictates their culinary applications. Sweetened condensed milk is almost exclusively used in sweet dishes and desserts, where its richness and sugar content are desired. Evaporated milk, conversely, is more commonly found in savory recipes, such as creamy soups, casseroles, or as a substitute for fresh milk in baking where the added sweetness of condensed milk would be inappropriate.
Understanding this distinction is crucial when embarking on plant-based cooking. This recipe focuses on creating the sweetened version, ensuring it perfectly mimics the dairy original for all your sweet vegan creations.
Key Ingredients for Your Homemade Vegan Condensed Milk
One of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is its incredible simplicity, requiring only two core ingredients. Choosing the right quality components will ensure the best possible outcome for your dairy-free condensed milk. While the full recipe with precise measurements is provided in the recipe card below, here’s a crucial breakdown of what to consider:
- Full-fat coconut milk: This is the star of our recipe and absolutely essential for achieving the rich, creamy texture characteristic of condensed milk. It is vital to use the canned variety, often found in the international foods aisle, not the refrigerated beverage cartons. The canned full-fat coconut milk contains a higher concentration of fat and less water, which is crucial for it to reduce and thicken properly. When selecting, look for brands that separate into a thick cream layer and a thinner liquid layer when chilled, as this indicates good quality. While some coconut flavor will be present, it tends to mellow significantly during the cooking process and is often masked by other flavors in dessert recipes.
- Maple syrup: As a natural sweetener, maple syrup not only adds the necessary sweetness but also contributes a lovely depth of flavor. Ensure you’re using pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup, for the best results. The distinct flavor of real maple syrup complements the coconut milk beautifully. If you prefer, you could substitute agave nectar for a more neutral sweetness, or even a simple cane sugar syrup (made by dissolving sugar in a small amount of water) if you want to completely avoid any maple notes. However, maple syrup is highly recommended for its natural caramel-like qualities that enhance the overall profile.
How to Master Making Vegan Condensed Milk at Home
You’ll be amazed at how straightforward it is to create your own batch of this luxurious plant-based condensed milk. With just a little patience, you’ll have a versatile ingredient ready for all your vegan baking adventures. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Combine and Heat the Ingredients
Begin by pouring your full-fat canned coconut milk and maple syrup into a small, heavy-bottomed pot. A heavy-bottomed pot is crucial here as it helps distribute heat evenly and prevents scorching. Place the pot over medium heat. Whisk the ingredients together thoroughly until they are well combined. Gradually bring this mixture to a gentle boil, ensuring it doesn’t boil over. Keep a close eye on it during this initial heating phase.
Step 2: Simmer to Perfection
Once the mixture reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low, allowing it to maintain a consistent, gentle simmer. This is the crucial stage where the magic happens! Let the coconut milk simmer for approximately 45 minutes. During this time, the water content will gradually evaporate, concentrating the flavors and thickening the consistency. It’s important to stir the mixture every 5 to 7 minutes to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot and scorching. The goal is for the liquid to reduce by about half and achieve a thick, syrupy texture similar to traditional condensed milk. You’ll notice it coats the back of a spoon.
Step 3: Cool and Store
Once your vegan condensed milk has reached the desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Carefully pour the warm liquid into a clean glass jar or any other airtight container equipped with a lid. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature before transferring it to the refrigerator. As it chills, it will continue to thicken further, achieving that perfect, rich, and creamy consistency you’re looking for. Storing it properly ensures it stays fresh and ready for your next culinary adventure.
Tips for Success & Troubleshooting
Making vegan condensed milk is simple, but a few tips can ensure perfect results every time:
- Use a Heavy-Bottomed Pot: This is critical for even heat distribution and preventing the milk from sticking and burning at the bottom, especially during the long simmering process.
- Don’t Rush the Simmer: The 45-minute simmering time is approximate. The actual time needed can vary based on your stovetop’s heat, the pot you use, and even ambient humidity. Focus on the visual cue: the mixture should reduce by half and become thick and syrupy.
- Stir Regularly: While you don’t need to stir constantly, frequent stirring (every 5-7 minutes) is essential to prevent scorching, especially towards the end of the cooking time when the mixture thickens.
- Taste and Adjust: Once cooled, taste your condensed milk. If you prefer it sweeter, you can gently reheat it with a little more maple syrup, but remember it will be less thick.
- Too Thin? If your condensed milk is still too thin after cooling, it simply needs more time on the stove. Return it to low heat and simmer, stirring, until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Too Thick? If it becomes too thick, you can whisk in a tiny amount of water or plant milk (like a tablespoon at a time) until it thins slightly to your liking.
- Coconut Flavor: If you find the coconut flavor too prominent for certain recipes, you can add a small dash of vanilla extract after it has cooled. The flavor also tends to mellow when combined with other ingredients.
Creative Ways to Utilize Your Homemade Vegan Condensed Milk
Now that you’ve successfully prepared your luxurious homemade vegan condensed milk, a world of delicious plant-based possibilities awaits! This versatile ingredient can elevate a wide array of sweet treats and beverages. Here are some inspiring ideas on how to incorporate it:
- Direct Substitute: The most straightforward way to use it is as a direct, measure-for-measure substitute for traditional sweetened condensed milk in any recipe. This makes veganizing your favorite family recipes for pies, bars, and candies incredibly easy. Think no-bake cheesecakes, magic bars, pecan pie, or creamy chocolate fudge!
- Creamy Beverages: Elevate your morning coffee or afternoon tea with a spoonful of this rich sweetener. It’s the secret ingredient for authentic-tasting Thai iced tea and Vietnamese iced coffee, providing that signature creamy sweetness. Try it in my Iced Matcha Latte or Pumpkin Spice Matcha Latte for an extra indulgent twist.
- Frozen Delights: Combine it with fruit purées, natural extracts (like vanilla or mint), or cocoa powder to create incredibly creamy homemade ice pops, vegan ice cream, or even refreshing granitas. The condensed milk contributes to a smoother, less icy texture.
- Vegan Caramel Sauce: Gently heat a bit of your vegan condensed milk with a touch of vegan butter and a pinch of salt to create a quick and easy homemade vegan caramel sauce, perfect for drizzling over desserts or ice cream.
- Tres Leches Cake: If you’re a fan of the classic Tres Leches Cake, this vegan condensed milk, combined with other plant milks, forms the ideal soak for a dairy-free version of this incredibly moist and flavorful dessert.
- Smoothie Sweetener: Add a tablespoon or two to your morning smoothie for an extra boost of sweetness and a velvety texture. It pairs wonderfully with banana, berries, or chocolate protein smoothies.
- Drizzles and Toppings: Use it as a decadent drizzle for pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit salads, or even oatmeal. Its thick consistency makes it perfect for garnishing.
- Custards and Puddings: Integrate it into vegan custards, puddings, or even rice pudding for a richer, creamier result.
Storage and Shelf Life
Proper storage is key to extending the life of your homemade vegan condensed milk. Once prepared and cooled, transfer it to an airtight glass jar or container. Stored in the refrigerator, it will maintain its freshness and creamy consistency for up to 2 weeks. Always ensure the lid is tightly sealed to prevent any absorption of odors from other foods in the fridge and to maintain its quality.
Can I Freeze Vegan Condensed Milk?
Absolutely! If you’ve made a larger batch or want to ensure your vegan condensed milk lasts even longer, freezing is an excellent option. It can be safely frozen for up to 3 months without significant loss of quality. For convenience, consider freezing it in smaller portions. You can use ice cube trays for individual servings, or simply pour it into freezer-safe containers, leaving a little headspace for expansion.
When you’re ready to use it, simply transfer the frozen condensed milk to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. Once thawed, you might notice a slight separation or a change in consistency. A quick whisk or stir will typically bring it back to its smooth, creamy state, ready to be used in all your favorite recipes.
More Essential Vegan Baking Staples
Expanding your vegan baking repertoire is easy with these other homemade plant-based essentials. Once you’ve mastered vegan condensed milk, consider trying these versatile recipes:
- How To Make A Flax Egg (2 Ingredients) Guide
- Vegan Heavy Cream Substitute
- How To Make Cashew Cream (The Ultimate Dairy-Free Vegan Substitute)
- Vegan Butter (Nut Free Version Too!)
We hope you enjoy this incredibly simple yet powerfully versatile vegan condensed milk recipe! It’s truly a game-changer for plant-based baking and opens up so many possibilities for dairy-free indulgence. If you give this recipe a try, we’d absolutely love to see your creations! Please snap a photo and tag #jessicainthekitchen on Instagram. Your feedback is invaluable, so please feel free to leave a comment below and give the recipe a rating. Thank you for being part of our culinary community!
Homemade Vegan Condensed Milk
0.75
cup
45 minutes
45 minutes
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Ingredients
-
15.5
ounce
can full-fat coconut milk -
⅓
cup
pure maple syrup
Instructions
- In a small, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the full-fat coconut milk and pure maple syrup over medium heat. Whisk well to combine, then bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat to low to maintain a steady simmer. Cook for approximately 45 minutes, stirring every 5-7 minutes to prevent scorching, until the liquid has reduced by about half and significantly thickened to a syrupy consistency.
- Carefully pour the thickened vegan condensed milk into a clean glass jar or airtight container with a lid. Allow it to cool completely at room temperature before transferring to the fridge, where it will continue to thicken further.
Notes
This homemade vegan condensed milk will last beautifully in the fridge for up to 2 weeks when stored in a sealed jar or airtight container. For longer storage, it can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and whisk before use.
Calories:
1615
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
114
g
,
Protein:
13
g
,
Fat:
133
g
,
Saturated Fat:
118
g
,
Polyunsaturated Fat:
1
g
,
Monounsaturated Fat:
6
g
,
Sodium:
94
mg
,
Potassium:
1694
mg
,
Sugar:
86
g
,
Vitamin C:
6
mg
,
Calcium:
268
mg
,
Iron:
21
mg
Disclaimer: Although jessicainthekitchen.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Jessicainthekitchen.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
American, Vegan
DIY, Dessert Ingredient
Jessica Hylton