Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk
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Published Apr 01, 2020, Updated Jun 28, 2021
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This sweetened condensed coconut milk is a dairy-free, vegan alternative for regular sweetened condensed milk. You only need two ingredients!
If you’re vegan or dairy-free, I’m so excited to share that sweetened condensed coconut milk is a thing and it works great as an alternative for regular, dairy-based sweetened condensed milk. I discovered it a while ago when making my healthier magic cookie bars, but it wasn’t until recently that I realized there are so many ways to use it! With that, I figured I should share a full post about how to make your own sweetened condensed coconut milk instead of keeping it buried within the magic cookie bar post.
Making homemade sweetened condensed coconut milk is super simple and only requires two ingredients = canned coconut milk and sugar.
Here’s What You Need:
- 1 13.5 oz can of coconut milk
- 1/4 cup sweetener of choice = coconut sugar or cane sugar
How to Make Your Own Sweetened Condensed Milk
Other than having to stay nearby the saucepan for about 45 minutes while the milk condenses, it’s really easy.
You’ll just add coconut milk and sugar to a saucepan over medium heat, mix together and bring to a low boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer rapidly for about 45 minutes. Make sure you stay nearby and stir frequently. Sometimes it might seem like the mixture is going to boil over. If this happens, remove the pan from the heat until the mixture goes down and reduce the heat before putting the pan back on the stovetop. Continue simmering until the mixture reduces by about half and is quite thick – it should end up being 3/4 cup of liquid. Remove from the heat and let it cool before using in any recipes. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days.
What Can You Use Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk For?
You can use sweetened condensed coconut milk instead of sweetened condensed milk in a variety of dessert recipes – everything from fudge to macaroons to my healthy magic cookie bars. I have a couple recipes planned that use sweetened condensed coconut milk so keep your eyes peeled!
Like This Recipe? Here are Are More Sweet Treats to Try:
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bites
- Gluten-Free Monster Cookies
- Protein Muddy Buddies
- Flourless Black Bean Brownies
If you try this sweetened condensed coconut milk , be sure to leave a comment and star rating letting me know how it turned out. Your feedback is super helpful for me and other EBF readers who are planning to try the recipe.
Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk
Ingredients
- 1 13.5 oz canned coconut milk
- 1/4 cup cane sugar or coconut sugar
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add coconut milk and sugar. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat and let simmer rapidly for approximately 45 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Keep simmering until the coconut milk mixture reduces by about half and is quite thick – you should end up with about 3/4 cup of liquid. Sometimes it might seem like the mixture is going to boil over. If this happens, remove the pan from the heat until the mixture goes down and reduce the heat before putting the pan back on the stovetop.
- Remove from the heat and let cool before using in a recipe or storing for later. For storage, place sweetened condensed milk in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days.
Notes
- If you use coconut sugar instead of cane sugar, the sweetened condensed milk will have a darker color.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Don’t have time to make your own sweetened condensed coconut milk? You can buy it from speciality grocery stores! There are a couple brands making it now including Let’s Do Organic! and Nature’s Charm.
Do you have any smoothie recommendations
Hey Joe – I have a ton of smoothie recipes here.
This is amazing! I’ve never found a substitute for sweetened condensed milk.
Do you think it would work for making homemade ice cream too?
Ohh I haven’t tried it, but I bet it would! Let me know if you end up experimenting with it. 🙂
I had to try this after you posted!! And on my it was amazing, and tasted so much better than ordinary condensed milk!! Didn’t have the sickly taste at all. I adapted the steps to make it in my thermomix as I couldn’t be standing and stirring at the hob!! Love love love your recipes and I used it to make the coconut cookies
Hi! I was thinking of trying this recipe in my Thermomix as well but I”m still not very good at ‘adapting’ regular recipes….how did you do it? did you use the butterfly whisk? Temp, speed and time? Thanks in advance!!
Made a double batch for the blondies recipe, I guess the cooking time depends on the type of pot I used… after reading the comments I made sure to measure the quantity I had left in the pot a couple times throughout to make sure it was ready. Turned out great after 65 minutes of simmering!
would love to try it but have no sugar around. Would it work with Xylitol or Monk Fruit sweetener?
Hey Ana – I’ve never tried it so I’m really not sure if it’d turn out the same. Let me know if you end up trying it.
Did you try it with monk fruit? If so, how did it turn out?
I used monkfruit sweetener in placement of actual sugar.
I had to boil it for a bit longer, and I used 1cup of monkfruit to 1 can of coconut milk.
If your using monkfruit, boil it for a bit longer than the recipe calls for, and let it sit after boiling for desired thickness to set.
Good to know about using monkfruit, Brittany. Thanks for coming back to share that with everyone. 🙂
Sadly, my condensed milk turned into caramel after 45 minutes at a rapid simmer… why? I think it was actually done at 20 minutes. But I keeptbgoing because that’s what the recipe said. 🙁
I made a double recipe to use in my pumpkin pie! It turned out perfect and added a wonderful sweet caramelized flavor. This recipe was super easy to follow and easy to do, I appreciate the warning that it could bubble over so to keep a close eye on it! Thanks again for another wonderful recipe and alternative to keep my holiday baking healthy!
Oh yay!! That makes me so happy to hear, Kristina. Thanks for coming back to leave a review. 🙂
Sorry if this seems like a silly question, but would this be an equivalent for a can of dairy sweetened condensed milk? I am wanting to use it in a recipe, and wanted to make sure I had enough.
Thank you!
Hey Amber – one 7.4oz sweetened condensed milk is about 3/4 cup.
Hi! I’m wondering if I could use brown or refined sugar?
I haven’t tried it, but I bet it would work! You can also use coconut sugar. 🙂
Can you use stevia?
Can I double the recipe. Have you ever done that? Just wondering how much longer it would take? Thank you
Hi, Mary! You can definitely double the recipe. I’m not sure because I haven’t tried it yet, but it shouldn’t take any longer. I’d recommend keeping an eye on it and adding a few minutes at a time if you find it necessary. Let me know how it works out for you!
Could you use monk fruit for the sweetener?
Hi Anita, I’ve never tried it so I’m really not sure if it’d turn out the same. Let me know if you end up trying it.
Anita,
I’m going to use monk fruit sweetener. That’s what I use when I make regular dairy sweetened condensed milk and it comes out perfect!
Thank you so much for sharing, Catherine!
Just wondering if you used the monkfruit sweetener to make the sweetened condensed coconut milk. I am looking to make the almond coconut bars and need to stay away from refined sugars or natural sugars that affect GI levels.
Great question. I haven’t tried making this with monkfruit but I think if you used a monkfruit granulated sugar it should work. If you try it, will you let us know how it turns out?
Yes, I used pure monk fruit (not cut with Erythritol or anything else). I used about 1 1/2 tsp of pure monk fruit in place of the 1/4 cup sugar. If you are using Lakanto monk fruit then it is 1:1 ratio….so you would use about 1/4 cup of lakanto monk fruit sweetener. Hope that all makes sense. To me monk fruit is sweeter so I always add a little, taste it, then add more if I need to. Hope that helps!
Thanks so much for sharing, Rachel!
Has anyone tried making this in the instapot?
Ohh I have not, but I bet it’s possible! I just haven’t tried it so am not 100% sure on the instructions. I’ll have to try this!
I doubled the recipe and it never thickened even kept cooking it hoping it would thicken and after an hour and 45 minutes I gave up. Not sure where I went wrong it’s only two ingredients with clear instructions.
Hi Sarah – What brand of coconut milk did you use? and did you use cane sugar or coconut sugar?
About to use this for some vegan fudge! Worked out great.
Yay! I am so glad this recipe turned out great for you – thanks so much for sharing your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!