This dairy-free sweetened condensed milk is another fun, helpful, shortcut recipe that I created for Growing Naturals. Unfortunately, they discontinued their rice milk powder line. However, you can still buy rice milk powder from Namaste Foods, Essona Organics, and Better Than Milk. Soy milk powder may also work well, and readers have said that dairy-free coconut milk powder works, too.
Yes, it really is instant. Just 5 basic ingredients, 5 minutes, and a blender is all that stands between you and dairy-free sweetened condensed milk.
This luxurious no-cook, dairy-free recipe can be used as a 1:1 replacement for 1 can of sweetened condensed milk in recipes. And with the ingredients that I use, it is a top allergen-free and vegan substitute, too.
Special Diet Notes & Options: Dairy-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
By ingredients, this recipe is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan / plant-based, vegetarian, and generally food allergy-friendly.
Sweetener options: This recipe for dairy-free sweetened condensed milk really does work best with regular or organic white sugar. For a more caramel-like flavor, coconut sugar can be substituted. I do not recommend date sugar (and most likely maple sugar), which yielded a mixture that was way too thick.
I’m sharing this recipe on Shirley’s Gluten-Free Wednesdays at Gluten Free Easily and Allergy-Free Wednesdays at Whole New Mom!
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons dairy-free vanilla rice milk powder
- ¾ cup sugar (I used organic sugar - see my note in the post above on alternate sweeteners)
- ½ cup hot water
- 2 tablespoons non-GMO canola, rice bran, grapeseed, or melted coconut oil
- Generous pinch salt
- Place the rice milk powder and sugar in your blender.Whiz the ingredients for about 30 seconds, or until powdered.
- Add the water, oil, and salt to your blender and blend for 2 minutes, or until thick and creamy.
- Use as a substitute for sweetened condensed milk in recipes!
81 Comments
I have always shied away from any recipe that calls for sweetened condensed milk, because I just do not want to put all that time in over the stove waiting for coconut milk to reduce. But then I found this recipe!! I could not believe there was a recipe this easy for condensed milk! I made it with coconut milk powder because that is all I had, and it turned out PHENOMENAL!!! It’s the perfect consistency, and (oh my god) the flavour is unreal, it is just like regular sweetened condensed milk! I had to make myself stop liking the spoon off so I would have enough for my recipe!! It was perfect in my dairy-free Irish cream liqueur. Thank you for the recipe!!
Thank you for the amazing feedback Samantha! So happy you enjoyed it.
Yes it should!
I have a quick fudge recipe that requires sweetened condensed milk. I am severely lactose intolerant, so was wondering if this would work.
Can I just say you cannot have GMO free canola oil. Canola is a completely GMO plant it is factory grown and harvested,the seeds are then shipped out to famers and cannot be harvest for for seed the next. Also none GMO suff is just a lie it is packed in the same factory as regular products, they are just marking up the prices and swindeling you. Otherwise fantasic recipe
Thank you for sharing your feedback and I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe! You are welcome to use any neutral-tasting oil. I typically use grapeseed oil or extra-light olive oil for this recipe, but like to offer other options that people usually have on hand.
Hello, do you need a blender for this recipe or can it be mixed by hand?
Thank you very much!
It can be whisked.
Ok, thank you ^-^
I only have soy milk powder.. I was wondering if that could be used instead, or should I buy the rice milk powder?
I’m sorry to bother you again!
Thanks. 🙂
Any milk powder should work, but will affect the amount of liquid you need and the taste. Adjust the liquid up or down to get the consistency you need.
Hi Alisa,
Do you think I can use brown rice flour instead of rice milk powder? The rice milk powder is expensive for me and I can’t have soy and dont like the taste of coconut in all of the foods I make.
Hi Annie, I’m honestly not sure if that would work.
The 1st attempt at this is came out very very thick! Any suggestion? I am really hoping I can get this to turn out as I would love to use it in a few of my favorite desserts and I cannot use other non dairy sweetened condensed milk as most are made with coconut and I have a coconut allergy!!
Hi Cynthia, the thickness can vary based on the type of dairy-free milk powder you use (they all vary a bit). You can simply add more liquid (water or dairy-free milk beverage) until it reaches the consistency of sweetened condensed milk.
Thank you for replying I will attempt it again hopefully it turns out this time! I really would love for this to be an option in a few recipes I have. I am having a very difficult time finding rice milk powder I had to use soy pretty pricey too. Off I go to try again!
Yikes! That is very odd. You didn’t cook it, just blended it, correct? It must have had something to do with the dairy-free milk powder used. We’ve used a few different ones and never had that problem. I’m glad it worked out for you, but odd that you needed to add so much water.
Following your instructions I found I needed to use at least twice the amount of liquid otherwise it was the consistency of a ball of raw pastry! Any idea why?
Would this work if you want to make easy vegan banana pudding instead of eagle brand condensed milk, made with cow milk?
It should!
Can this be substituted for condensed milk in cooking? I make a simple chocolate candy recipe with semi-sweet chocolate and condensed milk but I need to make it dairy-free…?
It can be subbed for sweetened condensed milk, but not plain condensed milk. Here’s my guide for substituting condensed milks (it’s easy!) -> https://godairyfree.org/dairy-substitutes/substitute-condensed-milk-buttermilk-sweetened-powder
Thanks so much for this recipe. I’m vegan and this will make a sweet treat better.
Would sugar substitutes work?
It would really depend on the sweetener. If you mean coconut sugar, definitely. If you are talking about a stevia blend, it would be harder to say without testing.
Hi Amazing it even tastes like condensed milk. I couldn’t get the rice vanilla milk powder where I live and needed it now so couldn’t order online so I used coconut milk powder it worked great ( has a slight coconut flavour I needed it for a slice so that didn’t matter) I was skepitcal at first but pleasantly surprised Thanks so much.
Fabulous! Glad it worked so well for you Mel.
Will coconut milk powder work for this recipe? https://www.woolworths.com.au/Shop/Search/Products?searchTerm=Ayam%20Coconut%20Milk%20Powder&name=ayam-coconut-milk-powder&productId=308611
Yes, but I’m not sure if that brand is strictly dairy-free. Only a couple brands of coconut milk powder are. Most have some caseinates in them.
Sorry, just a quick question as I want to try this recipe!
The links to dairy-free vanilla milk powder & vanilla rice milk drink are broken, so I cannot check exactly what they are (being in the UK means I need to find local versions of these things).
Is the first ingredient line saying 2 cups of powder and 2 tablespoons of liquid (milk drink)?
If so, when does the liquid go into the blender?
And if not, when does the 2 tablespoons of powder get added?
Hi Jo, yes, they’ve discontinued that product, but may bring it back. I’m going to test with another dairy-free milk powder soon, but I believe you do have some options in the UK.
The first ingredient is 1 cup + 2 tablespoons of milk powder (it’s dry). I think you may have read the recipe a little too quickly 🙂 Just read it through carefully, you’ll see what ingredients and when they are added.
Thanks – I think it was the reference to a rice milk drink that confused me (assumption being that it would be liquid)
Ah, I see your confusion Jo! I actually need to swap that out anyway, but that was the exact name of the product I used. See the ingredient specifically though 🙂
I do not use any oils; do you think this would work without the oil?
I haven’t tested it without Crystal. It may work, but won’t be as rich. You can try coconut cream instead if you wish.
Have you heard of these new products? I just foudn them last week on Amazon.com:
Nature’s Charm Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk, 11.25 Ounce (Pack of 6)
from Nature’s Charm
Ingredients:
Coconut Milk (Coconut Cream, Filtered Water), Cane Sugar, Salt
ASIN: B00XV44EZY
UPC: 093856992193
&
Nature’s Charm Evaporated Coconut Milk 12.2oz (Pack of 6)
from Nature’s Charm
Ingredients:
Coconut milk (coconut cream, filtered water) , coconut palm sugar, guar gum,salt.
ASIN: B015YE8SSM
&
Coconut Cloud Non Dairy Coffee Creamer
from Coconut Cloud
Ingredients:
Non-GMO Coconut Cream Powder (Coconut Cream, Tapioca Syrup, Less than 2% of Dipotassium Phosphate), Non-GMO Rice Starch
ASIN: B01BNQQZJY
UPC: 019962703331
Thanks for all you so very helpful information on products!
Yes! We’ll be reviewing these soon!
I never leave comments but I have to on this one !!! This was absolutely amazing. I used vanilla protein powder for milk powder, this is so much better than any condensed milk! Thank you so much for sharing.
I’m so glad you enjoyed my recipe Tiffany! I hope it helps you make many more amazing recipes!
Pingback: Gluten-Free Magic S'mores Bars
Pingback: Easy-as-pie 15 minute Lolly Slice - Fun With Allergy KidsFun With Allergy Kids
Pingback: Ben & Jerry's Step Aside for This Creme Brulee Ice Cream
Hi.. when someone asked about using this in a cooked frosting you said not to cook it.. so what do you use this for? The recipes I’ve seen for sweetened condensed milk all require cooking.. like fudge or seven layer bars. It can’t be used that way?
Hi Shelly, I didn’t say it wouldn’t work, I just said I’m not sure about further boiling this one down as I haven’t tested it, and have only tested frosting with my main condensed coconut milk recipe. This works find in bars and such.
Can uze coconut milk Powder or soya milk powder instead as we do t get the rice milk powder in India?
I’ve tested with coconut milk powder, and it works well, but the amount of powder you use is a little different. The recipe for that one is in Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook. You can add the coconut milk powder as needed to this recipe – you might need to make some ratio adjustments to get it just right. I haven’t tested with soymilk powder.
I have a Margarita Pie that needed limes, sweetened condensed milk and non-dairy whip topping, mmmm so yummy. Also, makes a great pretzel dip.
That sounds delicious!
Hi, just wondering if you can use Lactose free milk instead of the milk powder for you sweetened condensed milk recipe? As we are very limited at our local supermarket.
Cheers
Renae ?
Hi Renae, this is a powder base recipe, so it would have to be a lactose-free milk powder – just subbing in milk won’t work. Otherwise, I would use one of my other recipes that does use a liquid as the starter.
Hi, this recipe looks great! I’m looking to use it as a substitute for condensed milk in a frosting recipe, in which it will be heated with melted chocolate. Would this work, or would the cooked coconut milk replacement work better in your opinion?
Thanks!
Hmm, I’m really not sure Anna. My main coconut condensed milk would work in that, but I’m not sure about further cooking this condensed version with powder.
I know I am a bit late to the party here, but am doing a cooking activity with a dairy-free cub scout and was wondering if this could be made with coconut milk powder and a dash of vanilla? I don’t have the need for a large amount of rice or soy milk powder…
Yes, I believe so though I haven’t tested. But note that most brands of coconut milk powder are not dairy-free – they contain caseinate. Let’s do coconut / Edward & Sons is the only brand I’ve found in the US to be dairy-free.
its cheaper just blending a cup of cooked rice with four cups of water ?shazam!
Hi, do you think I’m able to substitute this recipe to replace condensed milk when making vanilla ice cream? I’m looking for an all natural dairy free alternative. Also what can I replace for the rice milk powder? Thanks!
Not sure Tanya, I haven’t tried that! If you are looking to replace the milk powder, I would use the Condensed Coconut Milk recipe in Go Dairy Free instead.
Hi
Can I use almond and rice milk powder? Unable to locate just rice milk powder. Thanks
I haven’t tried it with that, so I can’t guarantee, but I imagine it would work.
If you do NOT have “vanilla” dairy-free powdered milk . . . can you just add vanilla? if so how much?
I would add just about 1/4 teaspoon.
You told Karen on June 16, 2015 that 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla replaces 1 cup and 2 tablespoons of dairy-free vanilla rice milk powder? That doesn’t seem to make sense to me. Am I not reading this correctly?
That’s the amount I would initially test to replace the vanilla flavor with as sweetened condensed milk isn’t overtly vanilla in flavor. But you can certainly add more if you wish! Karen was just asking about the vanilla aspect, if she didn’t have a “vanilla” dairy-free milk powder. The vanilla isn’t to replace the dairy-free milk powder itself – just in case that’s what you’re asking! It’s vanilla + plain dairy-free milk powder.
Thanks for your website. I stumbled on it by accident, but you led me to a place I can get non-dairy powdered milk that’s soy free! Thanks a Million!
So happy I can help Karen! I’ll be reporting on some other ones soon, too!
omg! I can’t wait to try this! I’ve always loved Vietnamese iced coffee of which a major component is sweetened condensed milk. But since going plant-based that’s not an option. So I just saw your website and I can’t wait to try it. thanks!
Wow! this recipe is a stunning duplicate of sweetened condensed milk. However, it did NOT work in my Key Lime Pie recipe. Just a basic filling made with egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and lime peel. Any suggestions?? Thanks!
I’m glad you liked the recipe, but bummer it didn’t work in your pie! Do you have a copy of Go Dairy Free? I have a different sweetened condensed milk recipe in there AND a key lime pie recipe using it! Both turn out great.
Callum wants me to make Hello Dollies and I normally do the coconut milk method, but this Christmas I’m all about instant and easy! I’m on the lookout for Rice Milk powder!!! Thanks Alisa.
This is so good to know that there is a substitute for condense milk. It’s a must do for me. Thank you so much.
Pingback: Dairy Free Condensed Milk, Green Bean Casserole, Cranberry Biscotti and More - Whole New Mom
Pingback: Instant Dairy Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Alternative (and more!) - Life Made Full
Hi,
I’m so excited to try this and to get the discount on the Growing Naturals rice drink. Did anyone else only get a 25% discount with that coupon code instead of 40%? I think they may have made a mistake with the code.
Hi Kelli, when you sign up with their program, the rice drink becomes automatically discounted. So it ends up being 40% off the full price with the coupon code. Sorry if this is confusing – it got me when I tried it, too – I had to make sure it worked!
I just emailed them and they refunded back the other 15% off. 🙂
Awesome!
Hi Alisa,
I am a huge Starbucks coffee drinker and have been trying to come up with a homemade non-dairy version of their “white mocha” flavor syrup (which contains condensed milk). Until now I have not been able to find a good recipe anywhere for dairy-free condensed milk.. I am so excited to try this! My question to you is, how long would you say one batch of your recipe would keep in the refrigerator? I may have to make smaller weekly batches but it’s worth it to finally have the option to make my dairy free White Mocha lattes at home! 🙂
About 1 week in the refrigerator in my experience – that said, it’s really easy to halve!
is there any substitute for the rice milk powder? In Mexico we have no access to these kind of products.
Hi Barbara – another dairy-free milk powder might work (perhaps soymilk powder is available in your area?). I haven’t tested it with protein powders as of yet. Otherwise, though it isn’t instant, the sweetened condensed milk alternative in Go Dairy Free is amazing and uses coconut milk.
This is totally genius! So excited to try this. Thank you Alisa!
Best,
Chrystal
WOW! That looks incredible and I just love the instant factor, of course! 🙂
Shirley