How to make vegan condensed milk in 5 minutes – with no heating required! This ‘instant’ condensed milk substitute uses just 3 ingredients (plus salt and water) and can even be made sugar-free (low-carb or keto)!
If you’re needing vegan condensed milk for a recipe and don’t like the idea of standing over a stove, stirring away for hours (or at least it feels that long) – then this ‘instant’ sweetened condensed milk may be perfect for you. All you need is just 3 ingredients and a few minutes of your time to whip up a creamy, thick, (optionally) sugar-free condensed milk!
What is condensed milk (vs. evaporated milk)?
The two products are actually the same, except that evaporated milk is ‘unsweetened condensed milk’ and condensed milk is usually sweetened.
Both products traditionally start with a base of cow’s milk that goes through a process to remove 60% of the water for a more concentrated (condensed) product. At home, this usually means simmering it gently over the stove for hours. The result is evaporated milk that looks similar to standard milk but is slightly thicker and with a creamier flavor. ‘Sweetened condensed milk’ is then simply evaporated milk with lots of sugar added to it, giving it a thick syrupy texture.
When it comes to uses, evaporated milk is usually used in place of half-and-half and heavy cream within recipes like mashed potatoes and mac n’ cheese – not to mention as a creamer within coffee and tea or for milkshakes. Whereas sweetened condensed milk is usually used within sweet sauces, pies, fudge, truffles, etc.
5-minute ‘Instant’ Vegan Condensed Milk
Unlike traditional condensed milk, this vegan condensed milk not only skips the dairy, but it skips the entire heating process of evaporation. Instead, you simply combine soy milk powder with water, a healthy fat (tahini), and sweetener for ‘instant’ soy condensed milk!
If you’re not already 100% sold on this, then you should also know that, when making this from home, you can make it as 100% sugar-free condensed milk, using a sugar alternative instead and saving yourself HUNDREDS of calories!
Because of the crazy sugar content, up until now, I’ve avoided recipes with condensed milk – instead, going for treats like these keto truffles, black bean brownies, and no-bake peanut butter truffles. Now I can’t wait to dive into my list of ideas!
The Ingredients
- Soy Milk Powder: I have only tried this method for vegan condensed milk with soy milk powder. However, it’s likely the process would work just as well with rice milk powder or coconut milk powder – though, the water quantity may need to be adjusted slightly.
- Powdered sugar (icing sugar): I made this as sugar-free condensed milk by using powdered Xylitol. Simply process it in an electric coffee/spice grinder into a fine powder. You could also use powdered Erythritol to make keto condensed milk or other powdered sugars (low-carb or not). To make vegan evaporated milk (unsweetened), simply omit the sugar entirely.
- Warm Water: To rehydrate the milk powder.
- Tahini: Or cashew butter – will create creamier results. You could also use coconut oil.
- Salt: Just a pinch to combat the sweetness and enhance the flavor of the dairy-free condensed milk.
For the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information, read the recipe card below.
How To Make Vegan Condensed Milk
There are just two simple steps for preparing this homemade condensed milk:
- Add the soy milk powder, icing sugar, and a pinch of salt to a medium bowl. Combine with a whisk or blend in a high-speed blender for a few seconds.
- Add the water and mix well. Then finally add the tahini (or substitute) and give a final good mix- your vegan condensed milk is ready!
If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add a little more water, one teaspoon at a time. The thickness will also depend on which sugar you use, i.e., regular icing sugar, powdered Xylitol, etc.
Method 2: Slow Simmer
I have also tried a method combining a can of coconut milk (15 oz) with 100 g powdered Xylitol. Mix well, pour into a pan, and then heat over low heat for 45 minutes until it reduces to a thicker consistency.
I wasn’t a fan of how translucent the results were combining the coconut milk with the Xylitol. However, it may produce more aesthetic results with regular powdered sugar.
How To Store?
Since this dairy-free condensed milk takes just minutes to prepare, I like to prepare it as needed for recipes. However, if you have any leftovers, then store them covered in the fridge!
Recipe Notes & Variations
- For simple ‘instant’ vegan evaporated milk, you can omit the sugar entirely. By adding a lower amount of water to the milk powder, you’ll still end up with a more concentrated soy condensed milk without the sugar!
- Different brands of soy milk powder (and other milk powders) will vary in results and density. For this reason, you may need to add a little bit of extra water until it’s a pourable consistency.
- The sugar you use for this recipe is super adaptable. You can process the granulated sugar of your choice (within reason) into a powdered consistency by placing it with the powdered milk in a blender and blending. I haven’t tested ALL sugars, but this should work with coconut sugar, light brown sugar, etc.
Simple Vegan Sweet Treats
While I’m busy coming up with tons of recipes with condensed milk (truffles coming soon!), why not browse through some of my other vegan desserts?
- The Best Vegan Chocolate Pudding
- White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- 3-Ingredient Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
- Homemade Ferrero Rocher
- 5-Ingredient No-Bake Bliss Balls
- Vegan Gummy Bears (No Gelatin Gummies Recipe)
- No-Bake Cookie Dough Bars With Chocolate
If you try this recipe for vegan condensed milk, I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan and #elavegan – I love seeing them.

Vegan Condensed Milk
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (90 g) soy milk powder (see notes)
- 2/3 cup (85 g) icing sugar I used powdered Xylitol
- 1/4 cup (60 g) warm water + more if needed
- 1 tbsp (20 g) tahini or cashew butter
- 1 Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Watch the video in the post for visual instructions.Add the soy milk powder, icing sugar, and pinch of sea salt to a medium bowl and stir thoroughly with a whisk. You can also blend the ingredients in your high-speed blender!
- Now add the water to the bowl (or blender) and mix again. Finally, add the tahini and give it another good mix.
- If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add a little more water, one teaspoon at a time. The thickness also depends on which sugar you use, i.e. regular icing sugar, powdered Xylitol, etc.
- Enjoy! Store leftovers covered in the fridge.
Notes
- Soy milk powder: I only tried this recipe with soy milk powder, however, rice milk powder or coconut powder should work fine too. You might need to adjust the water quantity slightly though.
- Sugar: I made this condensed milk refined sugar-free by using powdered Xylitol. I simply processed granulated Xylitol in my electric coffee/spice grinder until it was a fine powder. Please note that desserts with Xylitol should be never given to dogs. You can most likely also use powdered Erythritol or any other refined sugar-free keto sweetener. If you have granulated sugar, then use the same amount in grams (85 g) and blend it in your high-speed blender, along with the soy milk powder, and salt.
- Tahini: Feel free to use cashew butter or use coconut oil.
- Nutrition facts are for one tablespoon (19 grams) of condensed milk made with Xylitol.
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
Hello
I would love to try this. Have any of your readers said where we can buy soya milk powder in the UK? Would dried coconut milk work instead?
Not that I know of. Dried coconut milk powder will work. 🙂
May I make a suggestion? Put a warning along with the xylitol. It is extremely poisonous to dogs (but not cats) in low amounts. If someone let’s their dog lick the spoon or some dropped on the floor it could have devastating consequences.
With that said, thank you so much for sharing the recipe. It looks wonderful! <3
Thanks for the information, Sue! I will add a note. 🙂
Amazing ????????Ela
Another fantastic recipe. Thank You
My pleasure! So happy it turned out great. 🙂
Very good, mind you it’s the first time I make vegan condensed milk. I used soy milk powder from bulk barn and regular powder sugar. I had to add more water, over a cup for sure, I did not really measure, I added water until I got the right consistency. Although I added one tablespoon of Nutiva refined coconut oil to give it a more “creamy” texture. I find it os much less grainy. Thanks for the recipe, very useful when you need a quick recipe. I eould have to compare it with condensed homemade soya milk… this is what I will do next time.
Thanks for your feedback, Danielle! I am glad you liked it. 🙂
Wow totally excited for this recipe,. Thank you Ela
My pleasure, Jenny! I hope you will like it. 🙂
I’m so excited to try this recipe, but I’m confused whether soy protein powder is the same as soy milk powder. I’m surprised that it’s so hard to find the soy milk powder in the Netherlands. Can you please clarify? Many thanks!
Hi Lisa, I think soy protein is different. Do you maybe have access to coconut milk powder in the Netherlands?
I haven’t had luck yet but I’ll keep looking, Thanks, Ela.
Can you let me knew which brand of soy milk and sweetener you used please? Or some which I can try? Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Suz, I used a local soy milk powder (I live in the Caribbean, so it won’t help if I tell you the name, because it’s only available here). I used powdered Xylitol from Anthony’s. 🙂
Can I use almond or rice flour instead soy milk powder. I can’t find it :/
Thanks
No, it has to be a dairy-free milk powder, not flour. Maybe you can order it online? 🙂
Очень вкусно!))) Использовала овсяное молоко и кокосовый сахар, получилась карамельная)))
Hey, I am glad you liked the recipe. Happy it turned out well with coconut sugar and tasted like caramel. 🙂
Hi Ela, I commented earlier asking what can be used instead of soy for this recipe and then I read in the first paragraph that rice milk powder and or coconut milk powder can be use in place of soy milk powder. Thank you.
Hi Melissa, no worries. I hope you will like the recipe. 🙂
What do you suggest using in place if soy?
Can I use almond butter instead of cashew butter?
Hi Gabby, I used Tahini. I think almond butter should be fine too. 🙂
Thank you fornthe recipe! Can i use a liquid sweetener such as maple syrup?
Hi Sabrina, I think if you use a liquid sweetener, then you will need to use a lot less water (if any at all). So just add a little water if needed. 🙂