Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk
- Gluten-Free
- Dairy-Free
- Paleo
- Low Carb
- Keto
- Vegetarian or Vegan
- Pescatarian
This sweetened condensed coconut milk is so easy to make at home and only has 2 ingredients! This recipe is vegan, dairy free, paleo, gluten free, and can easily be made low carb! Use in all of your baking projects this holiday season!
What is Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk?
To make traditional sweetened condensed milk, you gently heat up cow’s milk and sugar until you’ve evaporated about half of the water, making it thick and creamy. That’s it!
To make a dairy free version with coconut milk, you simply do the same thing but with full-fat coconut milk instead of dairy milk.
You can sometimes find cans of coconut milk sweetened and condensed in the speciality section of the grocery store, but it’s so easy to make at home you might as well do it yourself.
Another benefit to homemade sweetened condensed coconut milk is you can add a natural sweetener like coconut sugar or maple sugar like I do I this recipe!
Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk is perfect for all of your baking and even in your coffee!
Sweetened condensed milk is essential for many traditional baking recipes, so having a healthier swap is great for the holidays!
Condensed coconut milk is richer, creamier, sweetened, and has a longer shelf than regular coconut milk, as long as you store it in an airtight container.
It’s great for baking in many of your favorite dessert recipes, but also perfect for your morning coffee or iced coffee. You can even use it to make ice cream!
Some fun baking ideas include dulce de leche cake, magic cookie bars, and my personal favorite, peppermint mocha fudge. I love this fudge! It’s the perfect treat for the holiday season!
My Inspiration for this Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk
There have been so many times over the past few years where I’ve wanted to make a recipe that calls for regular sweetened condensed milk like fudge or key lime pie, but haven’t had a good dairy free and refined sugar free substitute.
Regular coconut cream or even organic coconut milk just doesn’t work the same way and I couldn’t think of any other options. I knew I needed to just make my own, especially since sweetened condensed milk is perfect for making fudge during the Christmas season!
Ingredients to make this recipe
- 28 oz (830mL) full fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup light colored coconut sugar or maple sugar*, see recipe notes for low carb/keto option**
How to make sweetened condensed coconut milk
Printable recipe card below!
- In a medium-sized saucepan, bring coconut milk to a simmer.
- Add coconut sugar.
- Simmer for about 1.5 hours or until the liquid has reduced by about half. Make sure to stir and scrape the bottom and sides of the pan every few minutes to prevent it from burning.
- Pour into a glass jar.
- Allow to cool completely.
- Store under refrigeration for up to 5 days.
What does this sweetened condensed coconut milk taste like?
It is SO good!! It has a nice and creamy base with a thick, smooth texture. The taste is rich and sweet, but not overly sweet. I used light colored coconut sugar but you could also substitute maple sugar or a keto option (see alternatives below!).
Maple sugar is a great option if you can’t find light colored coconut sugar and will be using it in light colored desserts. You can find my favorite brand here!
This dairy free sweetened condensed milk recipe is so simple!
This recipe does take quite a bit of time to make, but really it’s just letting the liquid simmer and reduce for about an hour and a half. Pretty simple and requires only a little patience. You just need to stir it every few minutes to prevent burning. I like to do other things around the kitchen while I’m making it.
You can easily make it low carb and keto!
If you would like a low carb and ketogenic version of this for your daily diet, you’re in luck! You can also make this recipe with monk fruit sweetener!
I like the monk fruit sugar substitute by Lakanto. You can try it with their regular sweetener or the golden sweetener for a richer taste. They are a good option for those looking to reduce their carb intake.
Some alternative ingredients to try
Since this is such a simple recipe, you can try experimenting with other sweeteners as well. I haven’t tested all of these, so I’m not guaranteeing they will work, but please let us all know in the comments section if you try one!
Some ideas include:
- Organic cane sugar or cane juice
- Maple syrup if you want to add a warm, maple-y taste!
- Agave nectar which has a lower glycemic index
- Honey which lends a nice, smooth flavor
- Stevia for another low carb/keto option
- Swerve for another low carb/keto option
- If you want or need your sweetened condensed milk to be thicker, guar gum is an additive that doesn’t add any carbs or sugars!
Love baking? Check out these healthier dessert recipes!
- No-Bake Christmas Cheesecake Bars
- How to Make Paleo Powdered Sugar
- Healthy Apple Crumble
- The BEST Gluten Free Pie Crust
- Dairy Free Chocolate Cake (from Texanerin Baking)
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Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk
- Gluten-Free
- Dairy-Free
- Paleo
- Low Carb
- Keto
- Vegetarian or Vegan
- Pescatarian
Ingredients
- 28 oz (830mL) full fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup light colored coconut sugar or maple sugar*, see recipe notes for low carb/keto option**
Instructions
- In a medium-sized saucepan, bring coconut milk to a simmer.
- Add coconut sugar.
- Simmer for about 1.5 hours or until the liquid has reduced by about half. Make sure to stir and scrape the bottom and sides of the pan every few minutes to prevent it from burning.
- Pour into a glass jar.
- Allow to cool completely.
- Store under refrigeration for up to 5 days.
Did you love the recipe? I would love it if you left me a 5-star review below! 
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @itskitskitchen on Instagram and hashtag it #kitskitchen
Nutritional information
57 grams of fat content per 1 cup serving
240 grams of sugar per 1 cup serving (varies depending on type of sugar)
Frequently Asked Questions
Sweetened condensed coconut milk is coconut milk that has been boiled down to about half its normal water content and sweetened for a richer, more decadent taste and longer shelf life.
In a medium saucepan, bring coconut milk to simmer and add sugar of choice. Simmer for 1.5 hours or until liquid is reduced by half. Stir occasionally. Pour into glass jar. Store in refrigerator for up to 5 days.
You can often find a can of full fat coconut milk that’s been sweetened and condensed at your speciality health food store. Try Whole Foods, Sprouts, Trader Joe’s, or Earth Fare, depending on what’s available in your region!
Use it as a coffee creamer, make Thai iced tea, or substitute it in all your favorite recipes that call for regular condensed milk!
What is your favorite way to use sweetened condensed milk? Let me know in the comments section below! And if you loved this recipe, don’t forget to leave a star rating!
xx Kit
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Would this work as evaporated milk if I leave out the sweetener? If not do you have a recipe for evaporated milk using coconut milk?
I think it would work, but I have not tried it myself!
Could u do this in slow cooker then would help prevent burn?
Hi, Nancy! I think that would work well but I haven’t tried it yet!
How do you know if it’s full fat coconut milk? Everything I’m seeing just says unsweetened.
Hi Brittany! If it just says unsweetened coconut milk then it is probably full fat. Just don’t use the ones that say “lite” or the kind from the refrigerated section of the store. It is sold unrefrigerated either in a can or a small carton. I like the Native Forest organic brand 🙂
Hi, I am wanting it only make a small batch, 12 oz. would you be able to tell me the measurements I should put for the coconut sugar ?
That would be 3/4 of the recipe since this makes about 16oz, so you’ll use 21 oz full fat coconut milk and 6 Tbsp of coconut or maple sugar.
Can regular sugar be used?
Hi Leah! Yes, absolutely! In general I do not recommend using refined cane sugar though.
I found a pin where you use condensed milk and milk to make your own flavored coffee creamer. I guess it could work using this and coconut milk!
Hi Elisa! Sure, that sounds great! If you are looking for a coffee creamer base that you can add flavorings to, check out my 3-Minute Coconut Cashew Milk recipe! It’s much less time intensive to make and it’s so good as a coffee creamer! Also, check out my Starbucks Copycat Seasonal Coffee Creamers. So good!!
Do you know if this could be canned to keep got longer storage?
Hi Anna! I’m not sure. I don’t know much about canning. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. Please let me know if you try it though. I would love to hear how it turns out! 🙂
@Inge van Dordrecht ,Coconut sugar is now available at Dischem Pharmacies in South Africa as well as most health food stores.
Does the FFCM need to be chilled or just dump the entire can in (liquid and solid)?
Hi, Leah! Thanks for your question! It does not need to be chilled. Yep, just dump the entire contents of the can or carton into the saucepan 🙂
The coconut milk has water in it, should that be discarded?
Hi, Komal! No, you will need to use the whole can. If yours has separated (into coconut water and coconut cream) just mix it up before using or just pour the entire contents in the saucepan and it will reincorporate as it cooks.
Would this work with heavy whipping cream instead of coconut milk if I am solely concerned with Keto vs paleo.
Hi, Lydia! Great question. Yes, you can. Traditional condensed milk is just made with full fat milk, so you could just use that. It doesn’t need to be whipping cream. Or you could try with half and half. That being said, I haven’t tried to make it with dairy milk before so I’m unsure of the cooking time. You may need to reduce it for a longer or shorter amount of time. 🙂
Have been using regular condensed milk to make a very simple yet smooth, creamy ice cream. Whip 500ml double cream to sift peaks, stir in 200grams condensed milk and flavour with whatever you prefer – vanilla , vegan lemon curd, strawberries, cacao powder, banana etc. Will definitely try your recipe to veganize the whole affair!
Ooo yummy! That sounds so good!
Mine is very dark – like caramel. I used blonde coconut sugar but it’s still dark so I’m wondering what brand of coconut sugar you used to get that beautiful creamy milk color? Thanks so much!
Hi, Ashley! Mine is a little darker than it appears in the photos. I use a light colored coconut sugar that I get here in the Netherlands. http://shop.desmaakspecialist.nl/kokospalmsuiker/
Can you substitute with honey instead of the sugar?
Hi, Alyne! I haven’t tried it myself, but I think it could work. The cook time will likely be different though. And it will probably impart a strong honey taste to any recipes you make with it.
Can ordinary sugar be used? Cannot get hold of coconut sugar/
Hi, Joe! Yes, absolutely. And it should be the same cooking time with regular sugar.
*Keep in mind that it will not be paleo. You probably already knew that though 🙂
Hi there can Zylitol be used instead of coconut sugar? I live in South Africa & haven’t seen coconut sugar anywhere. Thanks
Hi, Inge! You could definitely try Xylitol, but I’m not sure it would taste as good. Here is a link to a distributor in South Africa 🙂 https://www.faithful-to-nature.co.za/cocopure-coconut-sugar