Vegan Dulce de Leche recipe (2024)

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Made with coconut milk and sweetened with brown sugar, this vegan Dulce de Leche recipe offers a guilt-free indulgence with its rich and caramel-like flavor that promises to take your sweet tooth satisfaction to new heights. The vegan alternative to traditional Dulce de Leche, it is easy to make, and much easier to please adults and children alike. So put on your apron, get your cooking pans ready and let’s do it!

The vegan alternative to traditional Dulce de Leche, it is easy to make, and much easier to please adults and children alike. So put on your apron, get your cooking pans ready and let’s do it!

Vegan Dulce de Leche recipe (1)

Did you know?

A popular legend in Argentina suggests that dulce de leche may have been a serendipitous invention in 1829, originating in the residence of the Argentinian statesman Juan Manuel de Rosas. The story goes that one maid became distracted and inadvertently left a pot of milk and sugar unattended on the stove. As a result, the mixture was overcooked and transformed into a luscious, caramelized cream. Since then, Rosas’ absent-minded maid became an Argentinian culinary hero as the creator of dulce de leche.

Learn more about the history of the Dulce de Leche here

Why we love 💕this Vegan Dulce de Leche Recipe

  • It is made with simple, plant-based ingredients like coconut milk that you can easily find in your local grocery store
  • Its creamy texture: Like traditional dulce de leche, vegan dulce de leche has a creamy and thick texture that is perfect for drizzling over desserts or spreading on toast
  • Its sweet caramel flavor: Vegan dulce de leche is typically made by cooking down sweetened plant-based milk or cream until it caramelizes, creating a rich and decadent caramel flavor

More vegan treats? Try our Persian Chickpea Flour Cookies here

👩‍🍳What you need to make the Vegan Dulce de Leche Recipe

  • A medium pot
  • A whisk
  • Airtight jar and container
  • Coconut Milk
  • Cornstarch
  • Brown sugar
  • Vanilla bean extract

Did you know that Dulce de Leche means sweet made of milk?

🕐How to make this Vegan Dulce de Leche recipe

  • ,In a cooking pot, combine coconut milk, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract
  • Stir constantly over medium heat until the sugar has completely dissolved
  • Once the sugar has dissolved, increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil
  • Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, for about an hour or until it has thickened and turned a caramel color
  • Once done, remove the pot from the heat and let the dulce de leche cool completely
  • Transfer sauce in a airtight glass jar and keep it in the refrigerator
Vegan Dulce de Leche recipe (2)

❓FAQs about the Vegan Dulce de Leche recipe

Can you replace coconut milk with another vegan milk?

This vegan dulce de leche recipe uses full-fat coconut milk. You can try replacing the coconut milk with other types of non-dairy milk such as almond milk or soy milk, but keep in mind that this may change the taste and texture of the final product. Similarly, you could also use coconut cream instead of coconut milk for a thicker and creamier dulce de leche, but again, this will affect the end result, both the taste and texture.
The easiest solution would be to use a can of condensed coconut milk. No other ingredients needed!

Can you use a different type of sugar?

Instead of using brown sugar, vegan Dulce de Leche may be sweetened with white sugar and coconut sugar. The coconut sugar will intensify the coconut flavor in the recipe while the white sugar will create dulce de leche that is less intense.

Can you refrigerate and/or freeze the Vegan Dulce de Leche?

You can store the vegan Dulce de Leche in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. It can also be frozen for up to 6 months. Before using, let it come to room temperature or gently heat it in the microwave or on the stovetop until it reaches your desired consistency.

How do you use the Vegan Dulce de Leche?

Vegan Dulce de Leche recipe (3)

Vegan dulce de leche can be used in many different ways, including:
1. As a spread: Spread it on toast, pancakes, waffles, or other baked goods
2. As a topping: Spoon it over vegan ice cream, yogurt, or fresh fruit
3. In baking: Use it as a sweet filling for cakes, pastries, or tarts
4. In cooking: Use it as a vegan caramel sauce for savory dishes like roasted vegetables or tofu that will give them a sweet taste
5. As a dip: Serve it as a dip for fresh fruit, cookies, or crackers
If you have the energy and the skills, you can even make Dulce de Leche ice cream!
These are just a few of the many ways to enjoy vegan dulce de leche. Get creative and make your own sweet treats to use it!

Do you want to try our Vegan Pastry Cream? Click here for the recipe

How can you make it non-Vegan?

To make Dulce de Leche non-vegan, you can replace the coconut milk with traditional dairy milk. Simply follow the same recipe and replace the coconut milk with an equal amount of cow’s milk. The rest of the ingredients and instructions remain the same.

What is the difference between Dulce de Leche and Milk Jam?

Dulce de Leche and milk jam are both sweet, caramel-like spreads that are used in many different ways. However, there are some key differences between the two.

Dulce de Leche is a traditional Latin American sweet spread made by slowly simmering sweetened condensed milk until it thickens and turns a caramel color. It is commonly used as a spread for toast, pancakes, and other baked goods, or as a topping for ice cream, yogurt, or fresh fruit.

Milk jam, on the other hand, is a similar spread that is made by simmering whole milk with sugar and a small amount of lemon juice. The lemon juice helps to stabilize the mixture and prevent it from curdling as it simmers.

Is the Vegan Dulce de Leche gluten free?

It is indeed gluten free as long as the cornstarch does not contain gluten.

Vegan Dulce de Leche recipe (4)

Vegan Dulce de Leche Recipe

Vegan Dulce de Leche recipe (5)wedesserts

Made with coconut milk and sweetened with brown sugar, this vegan Dulce de Leche recipe offers a guilt-free indulgence with its rich and caramel-like flavor that promises to take your sweet tooth satisfaction to new heights

4.50 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Latin

Servings 8

Calories 156 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 cooking pot

  • 1 whisk

Ingredients

  • 1 can full-fat coconut milk
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean extract
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

  • In a medium-sized pot, combine the coconut milk, brown sugar, cornstarch, vanilla bean extract, and sea salt

  • Stir the mixture constantly over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves

  • Once the sugar has dissolved, increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil

  • Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer, stirring occasionally, for about an hour or until it has thickened and has a caramel color

  • Remove the pot from the heat and let the dulce de leche cool completely

  • Transfer the dulce de leche in a airtight glass jar

  • Serve over your favorite vegan ice cream or use as a spread for toast or pancakes

Notes

  • You can replace the brown sugar with coconut sugar or white sugar
  • You can also make the recipe with a can of condensed coconut milk!

Nutrition

Calories: 156kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gSodium: 83mgPotassium: 123mgFiber: 0.02gSugar: 14gVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 2mg

Keyword dulce de leche recipe, how to make dulce de leche, milk jam, Vegan dulce de leche

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Vegan Dulce de Leche recipe (2024)
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