Vegan Condensed Milk

Vegan condensed milk is a simple recipe that makes dairy-free baking a breeze! All you need is 2 ingredients and a pot. Use it in your favorite recipes like fudge, coffee, or any other recipe that calls for condensed milk.

Vegan condensed milk.
Try this creamy vegan condensed milk!

๐Ÿ’™ Why youโ€™ll love this recipe

  • Two ingredients: The only ingredients required for dairy-free condensed milk are coconut milk and sugar.
  • Cheaper: Compared to store-bought vegan condensed milk, this homemade version saves you big time in the wallet department.
  • Easy: Just mix the ingredients, watch as they reduce, and let the mixture cool. The steps couldnโ€™t be easier!
  • Flavorful: Youโ€™ll be surprised at how rich and intense the individual ingredients become once theyโ€™re reduced. You may even eat it straight out of the jar like us!

If youโ€™re in need of more staples like vegan condensed milk, check out our vegan whipped cream, vegan custard, vegan heavy cream, dairy-free sour cream, and vegan buttermilk.

๐Ÿฅ› What is condensed milk?

Condensed milk is a popular ingredient used to make pies, puddings, and other traditional baking recipes.

Itโ€™s made by reducing whole cowโ€™s milk until more than 60% of the water content is removed. Next, it’s sweetened, canned, and finally sold in stores.

Vegan condensed milk.
No more expensive store-bought versions!

๐Ÿค” Condensed milk vs evaporated milk

Both of these ingredients are commonly found in recipes. They are often confused with one another, but here are the main differences between the two:

  • Sugar content: Condensed milk is sweetened while evaporated milk is unsweetened.
  • Consistency: Condensed milk is thick, and evaporated milk is more easily poured. 
  • Uses: Condensed milk is generally used in baking, drinks, and desserts whereas evaporated milk doesnโ€™t impart much sweetness. This means it can be used for richness or as a milk substitute in savory recipes.

๐ŸŒฑ Is condensed milk vegan?

Since condensed milk is made from cowโ€™s milk, itโ€™s not a vegan-friendly ingredient. However, you can easily make plant-based condensed milk with pantry staples (coconut milk and sugar).

All you have to do is add them to a pot, then reduce the water content by 60% just like a traditional recipe. Easy, right?

Sugar and coconut milk in bowls.
All you need is 2 simple ingredients

๐Ÿ›’ Ingredients & substitutions

  • Coconut milk: Itโ€™s important to use full-fat coconut milk from a can for vegan condensed milk, not coconut milk in a carton. Look for cans in the international aisle of your local grocery store. We typically opt for Thai brands since they contain a high percentage of fat and are generally made up of just coconut extract and water. For reference, we use the brand Aroy D.
  • Granulated sugar: We use organic granulated sugar to keep things vegan-friendly, but you can also use organic cane sugar instead. Either way, just keep in mind that the overall color will be slightly off-white (the flavor isnโ€™t affected though).

For a complete ingredient list and step-by-step guide, scroll down to our recipe card.

๐Ÿ“ How to make vegan condensed milk

Step 1: Combine the ingredients

To a medium saucepan, add the coconut milk and sugar. Give it a good stir.

Coconut milk and sugar in a saucepan.
Start with room-temperature ingredients

Step 2: Bring it to a boil

Bring the mixture to a low boil, then turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for 45-50 minutes, or until the volume has reduced by just over half. Give the mixture a whisk every few minutes, and scrape down the sides.

Reduced coconut milk.
Simmer it low and slow!

Step 3: Let it thicken

Once the liquid has reduced, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool down to room temperature. Transfer the mixture to a mason jar for storage. Happy eating!

Vegan condensed milk.
Keep vegan condensed milk in a glass jar

If you have questions about making dairy-free condensed milk, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!

๐Ÿง How to use vegan condensed milk

Once your vegan condensed milk has thickened up, itโ€™s time to add it to your favorite recipes! Try out some of these ideas:

  • To sweeten coffee and tea drinks (like Vietnamese coffee or Thai tea).
  • In any flavor vegan fudge
  • As a dip for vegan churros
  • In the caramel layer of vegan millionaireโ€™s bars
  • Drizzled over fresh fruits for a creamy-yet-juicy dessert.
  • One-for-one in any other recipe that calls for condensed milk!

๐ŸŒก๏ธ Storage & reheating

If you end up having leftover vegan condensed milk, follow these storage tips:

  • Fridge: Keep dairy-free condensed milk in a mason jar or airtight container in the fridge. Due to the sugar content, it should keep for up to 2-3 weeks.
  • Freezer: For anything longer than a few weeks, itโ€™s best to store it in the freezer. Leave some room at the top of a freezer-safe container for expansion, and it will last for up to 3 months.
  • Thaw: If frozen, let your vegan condensed milk thaw overnight in the fridge. Give it a thorough stirring or a blitz in the blender before using it again!
Vegan condensed milk.
Use it for all your baking needs!

โ™ป๏ธ Variations

  • Liquid sweeteners: Replace the granulated sugar with maple syrup, agave, brown rice syrup, or coconut nectar. Note: you will need to simmer the mixture for longer.
  • Dark sugar: For a rich, complex flavor, try coconut sugar or organic brown sugar.
  • Extra creamy: If you have some available, try coconut cream (like Aroy D coconut cream) for an even higher percentage of fat than full-fat canned coconut milk.
  • Flavored: Depending on the recipes youโ€™ll be adding your vegan condensed milk to, you can try flavoring it with flavor extracts like vanilla, almond, or cinnamon. 

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿณ Top tips

  • Room temperature ingredients: Make sure the coconut milk is at room temperature before adding it to the saucepan. This will ensure the sugar and milk properly combine.
  • Be patient: The mixture needs quite a bit of time to reduce and thicken. Itโ€™s not an exact measurement, but youโ€™re going for a 60% reduction in water content.  
  • Stir frequently: To prevent the mixture from sticking and gelling on the sides of your saucepan, stir it every few minutes.
  • Keep the heat low: You donโ€™t want to burn the milk or sugar or your vegan condensed milk will have an off-putting flavor. Simmer it low and slow.

๐Ÿ’ฌ FAQ

What is vegan condensed milk made from?

Typically, dairy-free condensed milk is made from coconut milk and sugar. All you have to do is add them to a pot and reduce the mixture by about 60%.

What is the difference between condensed milk and sweetened condensed milk?

Condensed milk and sweetened condensed milk refer to the same thing. There is no such thing as unsweetened condensed milk.

Can I make vegan condensed milk without coconut milk?

Yes, you can also use other plant milk to make vegan condensed milk, but we find coconut milk is the best replacement. If you decide to make it with another variety, try adding 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch to help thicken it.

๐Ÿด More vegan basics

If you found this vegan condensed milk recipe helpful, try testing out some more vegan staples like these:

Vegan condensed milk.

Easy Vegan Condensed Milk

Justine Drosdovech
Vegan condensed milk is a simple recipe that makes dairy-free baking a breeze! All you need is 2 ingredients and a pot.
5 from 144 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Sauce, Vegan Basics
Cuisine American, Gluten-Free, Vegan
Servings 24 tablespoons
Calories 49.1 kcal

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Spatula

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups (16.9 ounces) full-fat coconut milk
  • โ…œ cup granulated sugar

Instructions
 

  • To a medium saucepan, add the coconut milk and sugar and give it a stir.
  • Bring the mixture to a low boil, then turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for 45-50 minutes. Give the mixture a whisk every 3-4 minutes or so, and scrape down the sides with a spatula.
  • Once the liquid has reduced by just over half, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool down to room temperature.
  • Transfer the vegan condensed milk to a mason jar for storage and chill it. Once it has thickened, use it for everything you would normally add condensed milk to. Happy eating!

Notes

  • Room temperature ingredients: Make sure the coconut milk is at room temperature before adding it to the saucepan. This will ensure the sugar and milk properly combine.
  • Be patient: The mixture needs quite a bit of time to reduce and thicken. Itโ€™s not an exact measurement, but youโ€™re going for a 60% reduction in water content.ย ย 
  • Stir frequently: To prevent the mixture from sticking and gelling on the sides of your saucepan, stir it every few minutes.
  • Keep the heat low: You donโ€™t want to burn the milk or sugar or your vegan condensed milk will have an off-putting flavor. Simmer it low and slow.
  • Nutritional information is a rough estimate and should not be taken as health advice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 49.1kcal | Carbohydrates: 3.6g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 2.5mg | Potassium: 41.5mg | Sugar: 3.1g | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 3.4mg | Iron: 0.6mg
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Justine Drosdovech.
Food writer at  | Website |  + posts

Justine Drosdovech is a food writer, photographer, and one of the founders of Broke Bank Vegan. She is a self-taught plant-based chef but uses her healthcare background to craft dishes that are both delicious and nourishing.

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Recipe Rating




16 Comments

  1. Can this be caramelized like I would usually do with a can of traditional condensed milk?

    1. Hi Lynn,

      You bet! Just continue reducing it until it caramelizes. You can also reference our “vegan cajeta” post for tips!

  2. 5 stars
    Hi, Its taste too much the flavor of coconut milk doesnt taste like Condensed Milk. I put the exact measure of sugar, only tastes like coconut milk! Not much thick even after following usea full fat coconut milk.

    1. Hey Anny,

      That’s too bad that yours didn’t turn out! Some coconut milks have a stronger taste than others. Do you mind sharing what brand you used? We recommend sticking to good-quality Thai brands as they generally have a higher fat content and reduce better. If you don’t like coconut milk, you can also try a barista blend oat or soy milk and see if that works.

  3. Elizabeth says:

    5 stars
    Such a great dairy-free option! Thanks for the recipe!

  4. 5 stars
    I’ve been looking for a good SCM recipe for so long – this one turned out perfectly!

    1. Hi Lindsay,

      That’s awesome to hear it went well! Thank you for sharing your feedback ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Andrรฉa Janssen says:

    5 stars
    My friend has a milk allergy, so this is perfect when I want to prepare a dish with condensed milk. Thank you for sharing!

  6. 5 stars
    You two rock with this Vegan Condensed Milk recipe. I literally was thinking I needed this for my Viet caphe and this popped up. It was easy to make and just made my coffee perfect!

    1. Hi Nancy!

      That’s what we love to hear! So glad you came across this recipe ๐Ÿ™‚ And that Viet caphe sounds amazing!

  7. Jessica Formicola says:

    5 stars
    I made this condensed milk over the weekend for fudge, and it was delicious! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

  8. Amy Liu Dong says:

    5 stars
    Oh my gosh, this is so easy and I can’t wait to make this at home.
    Thank you!