This Vegan condensed milk uses canned coconut milk as a dairy-free alternative to sweetened condensed milk in desserts.
If you grew up in an Indian household, or have Indian friends you’d know how indispensable condensed milk is in the creation of a multitude of desserts – the country basically runs on dairy! And once you’ve transitioned to a vegan/ dairy-free diet, you’d start striking off recipes that require condensed milk – somehow it seems easier to just do away with it rather than figuring out the alternative.
That’s how I’ve been rolling thus far – you know how I’ve been converting my favorite recipes to vegan versions, but whenever I see something with condensed milk, I just hop and skip to the next recipe on the list, albeit with a twinge of sadness.
But sometimes, the heart wants what the heart wants – you do crave some vermicelli kheer/milk pudding or simply to slather the concentrated, sickly-sweet substance on a piece of toast (don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!).
So if you’ve turned dairy-free, but still have that off-craving or even a necessity to use condensed milk in a recipe, here’s the answer: a ( sweetened ) vegan condensed milk made from *drum-roll please* Coconut milk!
It has the same texture and consistency of regular condensed milk, but there’s an unmistakable hint of coconut flavor. So if your dessert uses coconut milk, the flavors pair seamlessly.
And if you thought that it is a painstaking process, think again: you don’t even have to stand near the stove stirring the concoction as it simmers away. In fact, I’d ask you to respectfully step away and let it do its thing. You’d just be in its way otherwise.
Use either unrefined cane sugar or even coconut sugar for that triple coconut punch – but if using coconut sugar, expect a darker shade of the final product. Photographed here is condensed milk made with unrefined cane sugar, although the image above depicts the use of coconut sugar.
Transfer to a clean, dry container and let it cool completely before refrigeration. Use as you would use sweetened condensed milk in your recipes.
And if you don’t have a particular recipe in mind, then slather a generous spoonful on a crisp slice of toasted bread. Seriously, don’t knock it till you try it, my sweet-toothed compadre!
Then go shout it out from the roof-tops – delicious things like these must never be kept a secret.
When you make this VEGAN Condensed Milk (which I really think you SHOULD!), be sure to SHARE YOUR PHOTOS with me through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. I’d love to see what you cook from here!
Sarah says
I’ve just found your site this morning (through One Green Planet). You’ve got some great recipes, beautiful photos, and a wonderful writing style! I was excited to bookmark and come back to your blog but I’ve gotta be honest, the ads placed so frequently are too much for me.
Tina Dawson says
Hey Sarah!!!! Thank you SO much for your honest feedback. I will transfer this immediately to my ad management company, but in the meantime, I hope you will come back.
Jackelin Slack says
I had no idea! And yes to condensed milk on toast… All the way. Also, dulce de leche on toast. How you make that vegan? Cook it longer?
Tina Dawson says
I too wonder if I can make dulce de leche with coconut milk. A project for the very near future. Thanks Jackelin, I will keep you posted on the experiment.
Antara Roy says
NIce article with great pictures. Really awesome.
Kristen Wood says
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
I can not wait to make your vegan condensed milk! Seriously. I hate using store bought since I find it way too sweet and I don’t feel that ingesting it is good for me.! I’m so glad you found an alternative! Beautiful photos as usual!!
Tina Dawson says
Thank you so very much Elaine! <3 This is cleaner and most definitely not even the least complex to make! I hope you enjoy making and using these!
Susie says
What a great sub in for dairy condensed milk! I love your pic of the sugar dusting WOW!
Tina Dawson says
Thank you so much Susie!
Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie says
I love this! I have to try it out! So many ways you can use it!
Tina Dawson says
Right?!?! I can’t wait to start using this too! Thanks Amy!
Chrissy says
This is brilliant! There have been so many recipes I’ve wanted to experiment with vegan versions of, but didn’t know what to use as the condensed milk substitute. Can’t wait to try this.
Tina Dawson says
This is so meant to be, then, Chrissy! Enjoy all your dairy-free desserts using this!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
So awesome when you can make your own things from scratch like this rather than buying in a store! Love this vegan version – big fan of coconut!
Tina Dawson says
me too, thanks Dawn!