Learn How to Make Coconut Condensed Milk with just two simple ingredients! This silky, creamy, and perfectly sweet dairy-free alternative is just as delicious as the classic version and so easy to make. Whether you’re using it to sweeten your coffee, bake decadent desserts, or as a topping, this homemade recipe will amaze you with its flavor and versatility.
I absolutely love sweetened condensed milk and could eat it by the spoonful right out of the can. But for me and some of my family members, dairy isn’t always the best choice for dietary and health reasons. So imagine how happy I was when I discovered sweetened condensed coconut milk!
This dairy-free alternative is every bit as silky, creamy, and sweet as the traditional version, making it perfect for all kinds of recipes. From a decadent Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Tres Leches Cake to a vibrant Sweetened Condensed Milk Fruit Salad, it’s become a staple in my kitchen. Plus, it’s so easy to make at home, and I’ll show you exactly how to do it!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Dairy-Free: Whether you are dairy-free or vegan, this recipe is a great alternative to regular condensed milk that's made with cow's milk.
- Easy to Make: With a simple process of mixing and simmering 2 simple ingredients you can have homemade condensed coconut milk. This is great news because condensed coconut milk can sometimes be hard to find in stores.
- Budget-Friendly: Condensed coconut milk is more expensive than its dairy counterpart, usually costing almost $4 for a single can. Fortunately, this homemade version is less expensive than the store-bought kind.
- Healthier: Coconut milk is packed with vitamins and nutrients, such as manganese, copper, iron and calcium. Plus, you can control the amount of sweetener added and use honey, all-natural agave syrup, or other unrefined sugar alternatives.
- Amazing Flavor and Texture: Rich, creamy and with a sweet coconut flavor, it's an amazing addition to so many recipes.
If you like making your own dairy-free staples, be sure to check out my Homemade Almond Milk recipe.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Full Fat Coconut Milk has a higher fat content than light coconut milk. The full fat helps achieve the thick and creamy consistency of condensed milk.
- Sweetener: For a natural and wholesome option, maple syrup works beautifully, as it dissolves easily and has a mild flavor. Date syrup is another great choice, adding a subtle caramel-like taste, though it may slightly darken the color. You can also use a granulated sweetener such as cane sugar or coconut sugar, just be sure to stir well to make sure it dissolves completely.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Homemade Condensed Milk
- Add Milk: Pour a can of coconut milk into a small saucepan. Bring the milk to a simmer, stirring frequently and being careful it does not boil over.
- Add Sweetener: Add sweetener of choice. Use a whisk to stir and dissolve the sweetener into the milk.
- Simmer: Simmer on low for about 30 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes or more often to keep the milk from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.
- Check Consistency: The condensed milk is ready when it has reduced by half, turns a light caramel color, and reaches a thick, creamy consistency similar to regular condensed milk. It will thicken further as it cools, so let it cool completely before storing or using in recipes.
Hint: Add a little sweetener at a time and taste as you go until you reach your desired sweetness. You can add more or less than what the recipe calls for based on your preference.
Recommended for This Recipe
Ceramic Nonstick Saucepan
I recommend using a small nonstick pot like this one to keep the milk from sticking to the bottom and burning.
How to Serve
Use condensed coconut milk in any of the following recipes or in any other recipe that calls for regular condensed milk.
- Desserts: Such as Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Tres Leches Cake and Sweetened Condensed Milk Fruit Salad, Strawberries and Cream and Duraznos con Crema.
- Hot Drinks: Use it to sweeten your coffee, tea, or homemade lattes like Cinnamon Tres Leches Latte
- Cold Drinks: Such as Creamy Strawberry Agua Fresca, Vegan Coquito, and Agua de Plátano
Storing and Freezing
Store cooled condensed milk in a jar with a lid or other air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. The mixture will become thicker when refrigerated. To soften it, place the jar in a warm water bath for 5-10 minutes or microwave it for 20-30 seconds.
You can freeze condensed coconut milk, but the texture will change slightly upon thawing. To freeze, pour the cooled milk into a freezer-safe container, leaving a little space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months.
To thaw, place the container in the refrigerator overnight. If the consistency isn’t quite right after thawing, gently reheat the condensed milk on the stovetop, whisking to restore its smooth consistency.
Tips and Variations
- Adjust Sweetener: Add a little sweetener at a time and taste as you go until you reach your desired sweetness. You can add more or less than what the recipe calls for based on your preference.
- Color Variations: Keep in mind that the color of the final product will vary depending on the color of the sweetener you use. For example, if you use date or maple syrup, the color will be a caramel color, while it will be a lighter tan color if using cane sugar.
- Use Other Plant-Based Milks: Full fat coconut milk is my top recommendation, but you can also use almond milk, oat milk, or cashew milk for variations. Keep in mind that these may result in slightly different flavors and textures. For example, almond milk results in a thinner consistency, so you might need to simmer it longer, but cashew milk offers a creamier texture closer to coconut milk.
- Use Dairy Milk: If you’re not avoiding dairy, you can make this recipe with whole milk. Start with 2 cups of milk and ½ cup of sweetener (plus more per your preference). Simmer on low for 30 minutes until the milk reduces by half and thickens.
FAQ
No, do not use light coconut milk as it does not have enough fat content needed for the thick, creamy consistency of condensed milk.
Yes, coconut cream has a higher fat content that will lead to even creamier and thicker consistency than full-fat coconut milk.
Yes, honey can be used, but heating it may reduce its nutritional value and slightly change its flavor. Consider heat-stable alternatives like maple syrup or coconut sugar.
I actually like making this recipe with agave syrup because it dissolves easily and has a mild flavor. However, it’s not the healthiest option due to its high fructose content.
I hope you enjoy! If you try this recipe, please leave me a comment with a star rating below. Also, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest to stay in touch, and don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter.
Related
Looking for other dairy-free recipes? Try these:
Recipe
How to Make Coconut Condensed Milk
Equipment
- small pot or saucepan
- whisk
Ingredients
- 1 13.5 oz can full fat coconut milk
- ¼ cup maple syrup or preferred sweetener (see notes)
Instructions
- Pour the coconut milk into a small saucepan. Bring the milk to a simmer, stirring frequently and being careful it does not boil over.
- Add the sweetener and stir to fully incorporate and dissolve it into the milk.
- Simmer on low for about 30 minutes . Stir every 5 minutes or so to keep the milk from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- The condensed milk will be done when the milk has reduced by half, the color is a light caramel color, and it has a thick consistency just like regular condensed milk.
- Allow condensed milk to cool before storing or using in a recipe.
- Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. The milk will become thicker when stored in the refrigerator. To soften it, place in a warm water bath for 5-10 minutes or microwave it for 20-30 seconds.
Notes
- Add a little sweetener at a time and taste as you go until you reach your desired sweetness. You can add more or less than what the recipe calls for based on your preference.
- Date syrup is another great choice, adding a subtle caramel-like taste, though it may slightly darken the color.
- You can also use a granulated sweetener such as cane sugar or coconut sugar, just be sure to stir well to make sure it dissolves completely.
Nutrition
Originally published June 19, 2021. Updated post and photos May 2023 and January 2025.
Heidi
Will this recipe work the same with the Coconut Milk from a carton? This is an amazing recipe!!
everydaylatina
Hi Heidi, I haven’t tried it with the one from the carton. If it has enough fat though it should work, it’s just a matter of reducing it. It can also work with almond milk.