Crafting your own vegan condensed milk brings a touch of culinary finesse to plant-based desserts. This dairy-free alternative harnesses the creamy richness of coconut milk, delivering a luscious texture and delightful sweetness to your favorite treats. Embracing the art of homemade condiments elevates your culinary prowess while ensuring that your desserts align with vegan principles.
To embark on this culinary journey, you’ll need just a handful of ingredients: 2 cups of full-fat coconut milk, 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, and optionally, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract for added depth of flavor. The full-fat coconut milk serves as the cornerstone of this recipe, offering a velvety base that mirrors the consistency of traditional condensed milk.
Begin by combining the coconut milk and granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, initiating the alchemy of flavors as the sugar dissolves into the creamy coconut essence. Stirring diligently, you’ll coax the ingredients into harmonizing, nurturing the amalgamation of sweetness and richness.
As the mixture simmers, a symphony of aromas fills the air, signaling the gradual reduction of the liquid. Patience becomes your ally as you allow the concoction to gently simmer and thicken, a process that unfolds over the course of 30 to 45 minutes. During this time, occasional stirring prevents the mixture from adhering to the pan, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
With each passing minute, the coconut milk undergoes a metamorphosis, gradually transforming into a velvety elixir that embodies the essence of traditional condensed milk. The culmination of this process yields a thick, creamy concoction that tantalizes the taste buds and inspires culinary creativity.
Should you choose to incorporate vanilla extract, a mere half-teaspoon suffices to infuse the condensed coconut milk with a subtle hint of warmth and complexity. This optional addition lends a nuanced depth to your creation, elevating it from a mere confectionary component to a symphony of flavors.
Once the mixture achieves its desired consistency—a luxurious creaminess that clings to the spoon with decadent allure—remove it from the heat and allow it to cool. As it settles into its final form, transfer the vegan condensed milk to a jar or container, where it awaits its destiny as a key ingredient in a myriad of delectable desserts.
Whether drizzled over freshly baked vegan brownies, swirled into dairy-free ice cream, or incorporated into indulgent pies, this homemade vegan condensed milk embodies the artistry of plant-based cuisine. Its creamy richness and nuanced sweetness offer a testament to the endless possibilities of culinary innovation, inviting you to explore, create, and delight in the boundless flavors of the vegan palate.
Vegan Condensed Milk
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of full-fat coconut milk
- 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, pour in the coconut milk and add the granulated sugar.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently.
- Stir the mixture occasionally to prevent it from burning and to ensure it thickens evenly.
- Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce by about half. This process can take about 30-45 minutes. The condensed milk should thicken and become creamy.
- Once the mixture has reached a thick, creamy consistency, remove it from the heat.
- Stir in the vanilla extract if using.
- Let the condensed milk cool completely before transferring it to a jar or container.
- Store the vegan condensed milk in the refrigerator. It will thicken further as it cools.
