Dairy-free Sweetened Condensed Milk

I have trawled the internet world for dairy-free alternatives to sweetened condensed milk and have tested many recipes!

But I am going to share with you five of my very best recipes - tried and tested by my army of willing volunteers.   

We modified each recipe to suit our own tastes and to get as close to the usual sweetened condensed milk as we possible could.

Recipe 1

Dairy-free Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk

Ingredients

1 x 400ml can of full fat coconut milk

1/4 cup of pure honey or real maple syrup

What to do

In a small, non-stick saucepan bring the coconut milk to a gradual and gentle boil.

Whisk in the sweetener of your choice.

Maintain a low, rolling simmer for about 25-30 minutes, stirring gently all the time.

Gradually, the mixture will reduce by roughly 1/2, and it will take on a slightly caramel colour.

Remove from the heat and allow to completely cool.

Use straight away in your favourite recipes, or store in an airtight, glass container or jar.

Your sweetened condensed coconut milk will keep nicely in the refrigerator for about 5-7 days. 

Note I found the mixture to thicken by about 50%, which I thought was not bad, although the coconut milk varied from producer to producer and this affected how much the mixture thickened upon cooking.

Recipe 2

Dairy-free Sweetened Condensed Milk

Ingredients

3 cups of dairy-free milk

1/2 cup of white granulated sugar 

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

pinch of salt

What to do

In a medium saucepan, add the soya or rice milk with the sugar and bring to the boil.

Reduce the heat and continue cooking steadily until the mixture thickens and reduces to about 1 cup in volume.

Now add the vanilla extract and the pinch of salt, stir in well.

Cool completely before using in your recipes.

This will keep well in the refrigerator for about 5 days.

Note: The pinch of salt does make a difference so do not leave out.

Recipe 3

Dairy-free Sweetened Condensed Milk

Ingredients

1 cup dairy-free milk

3/4 cup golden granulated sugar

2 tablespoons coconut oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

pinch of salt

What to do

Place all the ingredients in a saucepan and bring slowly to the boil.

Gently simmer for about 20-25 minutes until the mixture gets thicker and creamier in colour.

Cool completely and use as your substitute for sweetened condensed milk!

Recipe 4  

Dairy-free Sweetened Condensed Milk

Ingredients

1/2 cup dairy-free milk

2 large eggs, beaten well

1 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 tablespoons gluten-free flour

1/4 scant teaspoon xanthan gum 

1/2 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder

1/4 teaspoon fine salt

What to do

Mix the flour, sugar, xanthan gum, baking powder and salt.

Add the rest of the ingredients and mix very well.

Stir over a low heat for about 5 minutes until the mixture begins to thicken (this recipe will thicken very quickly so be mindful to constantly stir throughout).

Remove from the heat and allow to completely cool before using, or store in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Recipe 5

Dairy-free Sweetened Condensed Milk

Ingredients

2 eggs

1 cup unrefined brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons rice flour

1/2 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

What to do

Mix all the above ingredients together in a saucepan and gently heat until the eggs are cooked through.

Cool completely and refrigerate until needed.

Note Keeps well refrigerated, in an airtight jar or container for 3-4 days.