Homemade, dairy free sweetened condensed milk made with coconut milk! Can be used as coffee creamer or in recipes calling for sweetened condensed milk!
With the holidays coming, there are so many recipes on my list to make! Pies, cookies, bars, the list goes on and on. I love giving baked goods to family and friends (not to mention that I like eating them too, hehe 😉) I’ve been coming up with a few of my own, but I also have many classic recipes that I’ve been making for years.
For the most part, I’ve been able to make healthier changes to many of the old recipes I use from my cookbooks. I can change out and reduce the sweeteners, substitute gluten-free flours, and even use healthier fats. But, up until now I’ve had to avoid certain recipes calling for sweetened condensed milk, because finding the dairy-free version is rather difficult.
Well, now you can easily make your own! You’ll love this dairy free sweetened condensed milk! Full-fat coconut milk and maple syrup or honey are reduced on the stove until thick and creamy. One can of coconut milk reduces to just under a cup, which is a little shy of a standard 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk. For most recipes, this small change won’t really make a difference. However, if you need the full amount, just double the recipe and measure out 1 and 1/4 cups. You can reserve the rest for your morning coffee or another use.
I recommend the coffee idea. So, so good!
I hope this dairy free sweetened condensed milk helps your holiday baking! What is your “must-have” treat for the holiday?

Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: Scant 1 cup 1x
Description
Homemade sweetened condensed milk made with coconut milk! Can be used as a creamer for coffee or in recipes calling for sweetened condensed milk.
Ingredients
- 1 13.5 oz can of full-fat Coconut Milk
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup Maple Syrup
or Honey
, depending on the amount of sweetness you want
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Bring coconut milk, sweetener, and salt to a simmer over medium heat. Continue to simmer over medium to medium-low heat, stirring often, until mixture has reduced and thickened, about 40-50 minutes total. It should easily coat a wooden spoon. Remove from heat and let cool. Mixture will thicken more as it cools and should be about the same consistency as regular condensed milk when thoroughly cooled. This can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week in the fridge.
Notes
A can of sweetened condensed milk varies between 11-14 ounces, about 1 cup to 1 1/4 cup. This recipe makes about a cup, maybe a little less, depending on how much sweetener you use and how much it’s reduced. For many recipes, a few tablespoons less won’t be a problem. If you need the exact amount, I suggest doubling the recipe and saving the rest for another purpose.
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Drinks, Condiment
You may also enjoy this similar recipe:
simple diy almond milk
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Thank you for such a brilliant idea and lovely recipe. Beautiful clicks dear!
Amazing!! I had no idea it was that easy to make a dairy free version! I have so many amazing recipes from my mom that use sweetened condensed milk. I can’t wait to make them again!!
This is very nice recipe. I’ve seen it in my Instagram feed and I had to peek what ingredients include. I am pinning and I will make it soon:)
Wow, who knew it’d be so simple to make a sweetened condensed milk, and that’s healthier too. I enjoy your posts so much. You have so many wonderful tips, ideas and recipes! Thanks
What a beautiful DIY post, Joscelyn. Love this dairy-free condensed milk. Love that you used maple/honey for sweetening. Thank you for this AWESOME share!
I don’t have any dietary restrictions but I love coconut milk. So, i know this recipe is a winner for me 😀
I love coconut milk too! Glad you liked it and thanks for stopping by, Abeer!
Shhhhh! This will be our little secret, okay??? Definitely going to give this a go!
Haha, sure thing, Rae! Hope you like it! 🙂
I love this substitute! I too often avoid recipes that call for condensed milk, but I love coconut milk and cream, so this is a no brainer! I’ll definitely give this a try for my holiday dishes!
Thanks, Stacey! I just love coconut milk and this one is so thick and creamy! Even delicious on its own!
I avoid recipes with SCM for the same reasons! So excited to try this out, especially for my coffee.
Ooh, yes! So good in coffee! I hope this helps with your baking this holiday!
Wow – very cool recipe – I’m going to save this one!!
Samantha | pearlsandpolkadots.net
Thanks, Samantha! I hope you like it!
This is SO awesome! I’ve been wanting to make a vegan tres leches cake since forever and this brings me one step closer. Thanks for sharing Joscelyn 🙂
Yay, I’m so glad you found it useful, Kimberly! A tres leches cake sound divine. What a great use for this too! Thanks for the great idea!
What a great idea, Joscelyn! I’ve never thought of this! 🙂
Thanks, Sina! It is so easy and very delicious!
That’s great to prepare condensed milk from coconut milk.. Beautiful pics
Sowmia – Sowmia’s Galley
Thank you so much! Glad you found it helpful!
This is great! I already have a few holiday recipes in mind to try this out! 🙂
Thanks, Stephanie! I’m so excited for all of the holiday goodies we’ll be baking over the next several weeks! I hope you find it useful!
Thank you so much for sharing this! Due to new food allergies I’ve had to skip out on some recipes. I’m trying this today.. I’m so excited! Thanks!
I really hope you enjoy it Melissa! Please let me know how it turns out for you!
I had no idea it was so easy to make your own condensed milk AND a dairy free version! This is amazing, going to have to try it!
It’s so much easier than I expected, Annie! You can make regular sweetened condensed milk using regular milk as well, but I need a dairy-free version 😉 I hope you like it!
I can’t tell you how much I’ve needed this! So many recipes require condensed milk, but I’ve been trying to wean myself off of dairy for awhile. Thank you!
Alessandra | The PumpUp Blog
So glad you found it helpful, Alessandra! Please let me know how you like it!
This is brilliant! I’m allergic to dairy and crave thai tea on the daily. This will help me oooooodles!
Thank you, Nannette! This would be the perfect substitute! Please let me know how it works for you! 🙂
I never thought about doing this. Great idea and awesome pics.
Thanks, Diana!