Rich, mildly coconutty, and most often made with two simple plant-based ingredients, condensed coconut milk is a must have Food Find for plant-forward kitchens where sweets and baked goods are prepared.
Slightly more golden than dairy based condensed milk, coconut condensed milk sweetened with cane sugar doesn't have much impact on the colour of the finished recipes, unlike the version sweetened with coconut nectar, shown below, which is dark brown in colour.
Jump to:
What is condensed coconut milk ?
I had long spied condensed coconut milk at various local health food stores, making a mental note to use it in future baking. Having since familiarized myself with this vegan alternative to dairy based condensed milk, I know it will become a mainstay in my pantry.
As a plant based alternative to standard condensed milk, which is made with dairy milk and sugar with occasional other additives, I have found two distinct varieties in my neck of the woods. Using coconut cream as their base, both versions feature natural sweeteners and no other additives, but are distinctly different in initial texture and colour.
The brand I most often find near me is sweetened with organic cane sugar, and looks like a slightly more golden version of its creamy white dairy counterpart once ready to use (this colour doesn't seem to affect finished colours of a recipe). However, due to the high level of coconut fat and perhaps due to the crystallization of cane sugar crystals, I have found that a slight bit more preparation before use is often required before incorporating it into a recipe.
The small cans are similar in size
to their dairy based counterpart.
Note the colour of the can on the top, which is liquid but quite dark - this is the version sweetened with coconut necator, while the can below is not fully liquid when first opened - this is sweetened with cane sugar.
Condensed coconut milk made with cane sugar
When first opening a can of condensed coconut milk made with cane sugar, I often find that the coconut solids have settled in the can, leaving a harder layer of coconut solids and sugar on top, with any remaining liquid found below. Luckily there is a simple remedy to transform this less than smooth mixture into the luscious and viscous condensed milk texture that you would expect.
The solution is to warm up the mixture and re-incorporate them together, either by soaking the unopened can in hot water before opening and using, or by scooping the contents into a bowl followed by a quick zap in the microwave (I just use the microwave). Once warmed, the mixture is easy to quickly whisk or stir into a smooth mixture before proceeding with your recipe, although I think in most cases letting the warmed mixture first return to room temperature is probably the best course of action.
Sometimes the condensed coconut milk, even when sweetened with cane sugar, is nice and soft when you open the can, removing the need to heat up and re-incorporate the mixture.
Condensed coconut milk made with coconut nectar
Another less common version I have tried is a coconut condensed milk sweetened with liquid coconut nectar - which, while delicious, has an unexpected dark brown colour - making it less suitable for baked goods where a light colour is of concern. This just as delectable version of coconut condensed milk would definitely be suitable for any chocolate, cacao, or caramel based recipe, or where you simply don’t care about the resulting colour of your confection or baked goods!
Interestingly, perhaps because the sweetener being used, in this case, coconut nectar, does not revert to the crystalized state that cane sugar does, this version of condensed coconut milk was liquid as soon as I opened the can, ready to be used right away.
Bounty bar lovers, take note! Condensed coconut milk is one of the few ingredients you need to make delectable Chocolate Coconut Bonbons at home.
Where to find condensed coconut milk
Once the sole provenance of health food and natural food stores, condensed coconut milk is starting to gain increased mainstream acceptance. I now see condensed coconut milk in larger, well stocked grocery stores, either in a natural foods section or sometimes even alongside the standardy dairy condensed milk, in the baking aisle, or alongside other canned coconut milk products.
How to get started using condensed coconut milk
If you want a low risk, delicious, no-bake, and plant based recipe to try out condensed coconut milk for the first time, or are looking for a tried and true treat using a favourite ingredient, try my Chocolate Coconut Bonbons. If you’ve ever wanted to swan around the house and eat bonbons, or if you simply adore the union of rich dark chocolate and sweet succulent coconut, then these 4 ingredient Chocolate Coconut Bonbons are for you! I’m pretty sure your friends and family will also thank you - that is if they end up with any!
Leave a Reply