My 3 ingredient vegan salted caramel recipe is so dangerously simple and incredibly quick to make in a hurry. Of course, it’s gluten free and dairy free too.
Gosh, I never thought I’d be able to make a recipe for vegan salted caramel that a) uses really simple ingredients and b) actually tastes like caramel. That’s not much to ask is it?! Well, I guess I should go ahead and introduce you to my 3 ingredient vegan salted caramel recipe…
Now, I used to make caramel all the time using condensed milk when I was a kid. But without that, making caramel dairy free and vegan seemed next to impossible.
These days you can buycoconut condensed milk, but it’s hardly something you’ll ever come by without hunting for it (it’s defo not in supermarkets). I actually bought a tin of it in Whole Foods, but then… it was pretty gosh darn expensive too.
But don’t worry, we’re not going down that route today, so you won’t need to hunt or fork out the extra dosh for it. In fact, cost wise, I think making a decent sized jar of this caramel will cost you under £1. Not bad, eh?
So, what’s in my3 ingredient vegan salted caramel recipe? Well… the solid part of a can of coconut milk, salt and sugar. That’s it.
You simply add these three humble ingredients to a saucepan allow to boil and then simmer. What you’re left with is the most gorgeously decadent, vegan salted caramel.
How does it differ from regular caramel with dairy I hear you ask?
Well, it does have a subtle coconut taste (super subtle though!) to it when compared to conventional caramel. It actually tastes nicer in mine and Mark’s opinion! If you’re on board with that, then this is the recipe for you.
Once I have finished heating my vegan salted caramel, I leave it to thicken up in the fridge for just under 2 hours if I want it slightly thicker. If you want to use it to drizzle over something, for instance ice cream you could do this a lot sooner… or if you have chilled it to a more solid state, just pop it in the microwave! A little blast in the microwave will return it to its gooey and runny glory once again.
What should you use it for, I hear you ask?
It’d be perfect in a banoffee pie. Salted caramel brownies anyone?
Did I make you hungry?!
My biggest piece of advice is to make sure that your can of coconut milk is chilled before you even attempt this. It helps to separate the coconut cream from the coconut water. We don’t want any of the actual coconut water in this recipe whatsoever FYI.
So make sure you pop it in the fridge ahead of time and you’re golden. Also, the higher the percentage of coconut in the can (read the ingredients and aim for about 60% or more) the better. Don’t use light coconut milk for this recipe.
Anyway, if you’ve been craving vegan and dairy free caramel, look no further. Here’s my 3 ingredient vegan salted caramel recipe!
My 3 Ingredient Vegan Salted Caramel Recipe (gluten-free, dairy free)
Say hello to my My 3 Ingredient Vegan Salted Caramel Recipe. It's simple and so easy to make at home. It's dairy free and gluten-free too.
Ingredients
- 165g brown sugar light or dark
- 1 tin of coconut milk refrigerated for 24 hours (never use a light version, you will only need the solid white coconut cream not the water)
- 1/2 tsp salt optional - you can use a little more or less, to taste
Instructions
Heat a small saucepan and once hot (medium heat), add your sugar. Stir your sugar for a minute or two so it's heated.
Add your coconut milk (only the creamy thick white part) and salt. Mix it to combine.
Bring the caramel to the boil and then simmer on a lower heat for around 15-20 minutes. Stir the caramel occasionally in this time, it should start to thicken.
After 15-20 minutes remove from the heat and allow to cool for about 10 minutes before pouring it into the jar you wish to keep it in. Put the lid on, even though it's still quite warm.
Place in the fridge to cool completely and thicken up - about 90 minutes. It will really thicken up in the fridge!
You can store the caramel in the fridge for a long time. It will solidify but is very easy to soften by taking a bit of it and heating it in the microwave. It's a very versatile and delicious jar of awesome!
Serve with ice cream, drizzle over brownies or whatever else you fancy!
Thanks so much for checking out my 3 ingredient vegan salted caramel recipe!
Looking for more Veganuary recipes that are gluten free and dairy free too? Check out my buckwheat pancakes recipeor my chewy chocolate chip cookies recipe, you can’t go wrong!
Any questions about the recipe? How did yours turn out? What did you make with your caramel creation? Please do let me know by leaving a comment below or on Facebook / Twitter / Instagram!
Thanks for reading,
Becky xxx
Oh and don’t forget to pin this for later!
Gluten-Free Recipe
FAQs
How do you make Vegan Caramel Sauce? Add 1 cup of coconut cream, 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch to a small pot or pan. NOTE: I buy coconut cream for this recipe, but you can also use full fat coconut milk. Simply scoop out all the white, thick parts until you have a cup.
What is the difference between caramel and vegan caramel? ›
Like regular caramel, this vegan caramel is made from a base of sugar, cream, and butter. We'll be using coconut cream instead of regular cream, and dairy free butter to keep it all dairy free since most caramel is not vegan. Then you'll need some salt and vanilla for extra flavor and that's it!
Is salted caramel flavouring vegan? ›
Ingredients: Flavouring substances, Flavouring preparations, Triacetin (E1518), Propylene Glycol (E1520). Dietary Information: Suitable for Vegans, Ovo-lacto Vegetarians & Vegetarians, Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Halal Friendly, Kosher Friendly, Allergen Free, Non-Irradiated, No Added Sugar.
Does all caramel contain dairy? ›
2. Does Caramel Have Milk In It? Some forms of caramel candy and sauces can have milk in them, but the traditional recipe for making caramel doesn't include milk. That being said, most recipes for making caramel include some sort of a dairy product in them, regardless of whether that's butter, cream, or milk.
What is vegan caramel made of? ›
The base for this 5-ingredient caramel is coconut cream, dates, and arrowroot starch, which are blended until creamy and smooth. This makes up the liquid ingredients, which are added to a bit of coconut sugar and cooked until glossy and just bubbly.
Is there a dairy free substitute for sweetened condensed milk? ›
Sweetened Condensed Oat Milk
Oatmilk is currently the undisputed darling of plant-based milks. The taste is similar to cow's milk but with a slightly sweeter flavor. This makes it a great option for a dairy-free condensed milk alternative.
Why is my vegan caramel grainy? ›
Grainy caramel is caused by crystallization, which is easy to avoid (and can also be fixed). Caramel becomes grainy when the sugars crystallize, a process that happens when the melted sugar splashes up onto the cold sides of the pan. It loses its moisture and turns back into a sugar crystal.
Can you substitute butter in caramel? ›
Some people like to use coconut butter or oil. If it is unrefined, it will add a nice subtle coconut flavor, if you don't want this, look for refined. Using a coconut or date sugar would add richness to the caramel flavor. Also, Miyoko's makes a vegan “butter” that tastes and behaves very much like dairy based butter.
What makes caramel not vegan? ›
Because caramel is essentially just sugar, in its purest form, it is vegan. However, it is often mixed with dairy cream, butter, or milk, which is why it's important to always check the back of store-bought caramel candy.
Is Ghirardelli Sea Salt caramel vegan? ›
This product contains 5 ingredients that are not vegan and 4 ingredients that may not be vegan.
This truly the best salted caramel I've ever had and there's only 4 ingredients required: sugar, butter, heavy cream, and salt. This salted caramel is a reader favorite recipe, marking its spot in the top 10 most popular recipes on my website. It's sweet, sticky, buttery, and tastes phenomenal on anything it touches.
Is caramel flavoring dairy free? ›
Artificial Caramel Flavor is dairy free. Per FDA definition, artificial flavors cannot be derived from dairy products. Artificial Caramel Flavor does not contain milk and should be safe for those with a milk allergy.
Why add vinegar to caramel? ›
Add acid. Acid ingredients (like vinegar or lemon juice) can help prevent re-crystallization which causes caramel to become grainy. Acid physically breaks the bonds between the glucose and fructose molecules that form sucrose and ensure that it stays apart.
What are the three types of caramel? ›
Classification of caramel
- Caramel Color I (also known as plain or spirit caramel)
- Caramel Color II (caustic sulfite caramel)
- Caramel Color III (ammonia or beer caramel, baker's and confectioner's caramel)
- Caramel Color IV (known as sulfite-ammonia, soft drink caramel, or acid-proof caramel).
Every Frappuccino, sweetened latte, and refresher gets its signature flavoring from concentrated syrups, sauces, and powdered mix-ins. However, not all Starbucks syrups and sauces are dairy-free, and it can be confusing. Case in point: the caramel syrup is vegan but the caramel sauce is not.
Is plain caramel dairy free? ›
Caramel Color is dairy free. Caramel color is typically made from corn syrup, potatoes or wheat. Lactose is very rarely used in the production of caramel color.
Is the caramel at Starbucks dairy free? ›
Every Frappuccino, sweetened latte, and refresher gets its signature flavoring from concentrated syrups, sauces, and powdered mix-ins. However, not all Starbucks syrups and sauces are dairy-free, and it can be confusing. Case in point: the caramel syrup is vegan but the caramel sauce is not.
Do Kraft caramels have dairy? ›
From the Package. CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, SKIM MILK, PALM OIL, WHEY (FROM MILK), SALT, ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL FLAVOR, SOY LECITHIN (EMULSIFIER).
