Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (THE Vegan Copycat) (2024)

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By Alisa Fleming on Alisa's Favorite Dairy-Free Recipes, Cream and Butter Subs, Dairy-Free Recipes, Milk Subs

Did you know Borden’s Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk has been around since 1856? Yes, it took over 150 years to create the perfect vegan copycat, but here it is. This dairy-free sweetened condensed milk is perfectly thick, rich, and sweet, just like the classic. It begs to be used in dairy-free magic bars, Thai iced tea, two-ingredient fudge, macaroons, lemon cream pie (with coconut whip!), and many other delicious desserts.

Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (THE Vegan Copycat) (1)

This is the Best Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk. Here’s Why

I have made many versions of dairy-free sweetened condensed milk over the years. In fact, I have three favorite recipes for it (including this one) in Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook. But this has become my go-to recipe for all of the following reasons.Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (THE Vegan Copycat) (2)

  • It’s Just Like Eagle Brand! I actually had a dairy consumer taste test this recipe side by side with Borden’s classic, as I made tweaks. He said this final version was spot on. Since I use lite coconut milk (less coconut meat), a complementary milk beverage, and a touch of vanilla, the flavor isn’t overtly coconut, like other recipes can be.
  • It’s Lower Sugar! Despite being just as sweet, this vegan sweetened condensed milk recipe has less than half the sugar of traditional sweetened condensed milk. Two tablespoons of most brands contains 22 grams of sugar, but this recipe has less than 10 grams.
  • It’s Low Fat (as it should be)! Sweetened condensed milk isn’t very high in fat. It contains 3 grams per 2 tablespoons. Many vegan recipes and brands use 2 cans of full-fat coconut milk, which works (I do this myself sometimes!), but makes it much higher in fat, and richer than needed for most recipes. This recipe contains about 3 grams of fat per serving, just like Eagle brand.
  • It’s Cheap! This recipe costs about $2 to make, and you get the equivalent of a FULL 14-ounce can. Store-bought brands of dairy-free sweetened condensed milk cost $3.50 to $5 and contain just 7 to 11 ounces. Many online recipes require two full cans of full-fat coconut milk to make a full can equivalent, which makes it the same cost as store-bought versions.
  • It’s Creamy! When you cook down lite coconut milk with sugar, it can become opaque. I cook down most of the liquid, then whisk in milk beverage at the end, which gives it a perfectly creamy finish. But make sure you use a good quality lite coconut milk. I have tried some lesser quality brands, like 365, which did not produce a thick condensed milk. If concerned about quality, use a can of regular, full-fat coconut milk instead. Just one can only adds a little fat per serving.

Lite Coconut Milk Note

I used Thai Kitchen and Native Forest lite canned coconut milk in testing. But I’m excited about the Thai Kitchen Lite Coconut Milk Cartons I just spotted. I haven’t tested with this one yet, but it has just two ingredients (coconut milk and water), and is resealable. I think it should work well, and it looks like a great option if you want to avoid all additives. In a pinch, you can dilute a full-fat canned coconut milk with one part water, one part coconut milk to make a slightly rich lite coconut milk alternative.

Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (THE Vegan Copycat) (3)

Special Diet Notes: Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk

By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, optionally nut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.

4.8 from 6 reviews

Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk

Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (THE Vegan Copycat) (4)

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This recipe is from my flagship book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook, and is my go-to for substituting sweetened condensed milk in most recipes. It’s relatively inexpensive and has a thick but pourable consistency that’s spot-on for the original.

Author: Alisa Fleming

Recipe type: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Serves: 1¼ cups (equivalent by volume to 1 (14-ounce) can)

Ingredients

  • 1 (14-ounce) can lite canned coconut milk (like Thai Kitchen or Native Forest)
  • ½ cup cane sugar (see Sweetener Note below)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Generous pinch salt
  • ½ cup unsweetened plain dairy-free milk beverage (preferably one that is quite rich)

Instructions

  1. Pour the coconut milk into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the sugar, and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, whisking occasionally, for about 25 minutes, or until the mixture reduces to ¾ cup. It It will be very thick and a bit “gloppy.”
  2. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the vanilla and salt. Let cool for 10 minutes.
  3. Vigorously whisk in the milk beverage until very smooth. Let cool.
  4. Store in an airtight container in your refrigerator for up to 1 week. It will thicken a bit as it chills.

Notes

Sweetener Note: Plain white cane sugar (or beet sugar) produces the most neutral, versatile flavor in this recipe. Other sweeteners like brown sugar, coconut sugar, agave nectar, honey, and maple syrup can be substituted and will technically work, but since you are concentrating the liquid, the sweetener will heavily influence the resultant flavor. Make sure the bolder flavor profile suits your recipe.
Richer Version: If you want a richer version that's sets up firmer when chilled, you can substitute full-fat canned coconut milk for the lite coconut milk. That will add about 2 to 2.5 grams of fat and around 20 calories per 2 tablespoon serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving size:2 tablespoons Calories:63 Fat:2.7g Carbohydrates:10g Sugar:10g Sodium:18mg Protein:0g

For More of Classic Recipes, Get Go Dairy Free!

Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (THE Vegan Copycat) (5)

Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (THE Vegan Copycat) (2024)

FAQs

Is there a vegan replacement for sweetened condensed milk? ›

Sweetened Condensed Oat Milk

Oatmilk is currently the undisputed darling of plant-based milks. The taste is similar to cow's milk but with a slightly sweeter flavor. This makes it a great option for a dairy-free condensed milk alternative.

What is plant-based condensed milk made of? ›

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.

What is a homemade substitute for sweetened condensed milk? ›

Almond Milk and Sugar

For a substitute, simmer 2 cups of almond milk over low heat until the liquid reduces to 1 cup. (This is not a one-to-one alternative. You do need 2 cups of almond milk to make one cup of sweetened condensed milk.) To sweeten this up, you can add 2/3 cup of any type of sugar and mix.

Is Eagle Brand condensed milk vegan? ›

Our signature Sweetened Condensed Milk is only made from milk and sugar.

What is the vegan equivalent of condensed milk? ›

Coconut milk powder also works but can result in a much thinner consistency, though that's still fine for use in recipes. If you have any difficulty finding soy milk powder locally (try health food stores) then you can get it online. Coconut oil – helps with the texture of this condensed milk.

What is the best vegan condensed milk? ›

Carnation Vegan Condensed Milk

The vegan condensed milk is made from a base of oat and hydrolysed rice flour, and not much else. Surprisingly for a mass-produced plant-based food product, Nestlé's dairy-free Carnation contains just five ingredients. Apart from the two flours, it has sugar, water and sunflower oil.

Is there a dairy free substitute for condensed milk? ›

You can use most plant milk to make homemade vegan condensed milk, but I highly recommend soy milk or full-fat coconut milk. Some plant milks are more watery and thin than others, which will result in a thinner texture in the end result and may also require more sugar to achieve the right level of sweetness.

What is the vegan brand of sweetened condensed milk? ›

Nature's Charm, Biona, and Let's Do Organic also make their own version of vegan condensed milk with ingredients like coconut milk and sugar.

What is a natural substitute for 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.

How do you imitate condensed milk? ›

Microwave sweetened condensed milk substitute

To make condensed milk in the microwave, whisk 1/2 cup milk and 1/3 cup sugar together in a microwave-safe bowl, and then pop the bowl in the microwave to heat for one to two minutes at a time.

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 you turn evaporated milk into sweetened condensed milk? ›

While we don't recommend substituting condensed milk for evaporated milk or vice versa, you can make your own condensed milk when you're in a pinch. Simply heat together 1½ cups of sugar and one can of evaporated milk until the sugar has fully dissolved.

What is a non dairy substitute for evaporated milk? ›

Oat milk can be used in most recipes that use evaporated milk. You may need to thicken or sweeten it to achieve the same consistency and flavor as evaporated milk. Summary Oat milk is made from blended water and oats. It is one of the few substitutes for evaporated milk that contains fiber.

Is Lechera vegan? ›

No. This product is not dairy free as it lists 1 ingredient that contains dairy.

Why is my Eagle Brand condensed milk brown? ›

Can the color of the sweetened condensed milk vary? Yes, it should have an off-white color. However, as the product ages it may darken in color and thicken. As long as the Best If Used By date is still current, the product can still be used.

Is vegan condensed milk any good? ›

Sweet and fudgy in flavour, gluten free Vegan Condensed Milk Alternative can make all your favourite Carnation recipes vegan. It's made from a few simple ingredients such as oats, rice and sugar, making sure the flavour only adds sweetness to your desserts, never over powering but always delicious.

Does vegan condensed milk taste the same? ›

However, it is creamy, pleasant tasting and arguably thicker than even regular condensed milk. It tastes like coconut but not unpleasantly so. I would say this could be the milk for the job in desserts that require binding power from the condensed milk.

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