With only 2 ingredients, you can easily make Coconut Condensed Milk that turns out just as silky, creamy, and sweet as its dairy counterpart. Use this dairy-free version in any recipe that calls for traditional sweetened condensed milk and be amazed at the result.
I absolutely love sweetened condensed milk and could eat it by the spoonful right out of the can. Now, did you know there is such a thing as sweetened condensed coconut milk?
I love the coconut version too! It is just as silky, creamy, and sweet as the dairy version and a great substitute in dairy-free recipes. Use it in recipes like this Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Tres Leches Cake or Sweetened Condensed Milk Fruit Salad.
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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.
The Ingredients
- 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: I prefer to use all-natural agave syrup as it dissolves easily and has a nice, mild taste. I also like honey, which also dissolves smoothly, but has a deeper flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions
Other liquid sweeteners that can be used include date syrup and maple syrup.
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.
How to Make Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk
1. Add Milk
- To begin, 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.
2. Add Sweetener
- Add agave, honey or sweetener of choice.
- Use a whisk to stir and dissolve the sweetener into the milk.
3. Simmer
- 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.
4. Check Consistency
- 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.
- The mixture will thicken even more as it cools.
- Allow it to cool before storing or using it in recipes.
How to Serve
Use condensed coconut milk in any of the following recipes or in any other recipe that calls for regular condensed milk.
- Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Tres Leches Cake
- Sweetened Condensed Milk Fruit Salad
- Creamy Strawberry Agua Fresca
- Vegan Coquito
- In coffee or tea as a sweetener
- In baking recipes and desserts such as cakes, cookies and cheesecake
How to Store
Store 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.
Tips and Variations
- Simmer on low heat and stir frequently to keep the milk from burning.
- Use a heavy bottom pot, preferably non-stick, to keep the milk from sticking to the bottom and burning.
- 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.
- 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'll be a lighter tan color if using honey or light agave.
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.
I hope you enjoy! If you give this recipe a try please leave me a comment with a star rating below. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to stay in touch, and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter.
Recipe
Homemade Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk
Equipment
- small pot or saucepan
- whisk
Ingredients
- 1 13.5 oz can full fat coconut milk
- ¼ cup all-natural agave syrup or honey (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.
- Other liquid sweeteners that can be used include date syrup and maple syrup.
- 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.
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.