My 3 Ingredient Vegan Salted Caramel Recipe (dairy free) (2024)

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…

My 3 Ingredient Vegan Salted Caramel Recipe (dairy free) (1)

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?

My 3 Ingredient Vegan Salted Caramel Recipe (dairy free) (2)

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.

My 3 Ingredient Vegan Salted Caramel Recipe (dairy free) (3)

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 3 Ingredient Vegan Salted Caramel Recipe (dairy free) (4)

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 (dairy free) (5)

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.

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5 from 1 vote

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!

My 3 Ingredient Vegan Salted Caramel Recipe (dairy free) (6)

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!

My 3 Ingredient Vegan Salted Caramel Recipe (dairy free) (7)

My 3 Ingredient Vegan Salted Caramel Recipe (dairy free) (8)
Gluten-Free Recipe

My 3 Ingredient Vegan Salted Caramel Recipe (dairy free) (2024)

FAQs

What is dairy free caramel made of? ›

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.

Why is my vegan caramel grainy? ›

Caramel becomes grainy when the sugars crystallize, a process that happens when the melted sugar splashes up onto the cold sides of the pan.

What can you use instead of cream in caramel sauce? ›

You can use whole milk, almond milk, or evaporated milk in place of heavy cream. You'll need to cook it for a couple more minutes longer after you add it so it can thicken up a bit. Try adding vanilla extract to your caramel sauce for a boosted flavor.

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 Smuckers caramel dairy free? ›

Contains Milk And Soybean Ingredients.

Why is caramel sauce 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.

Can I use condensed milk instead of caramel? ›

Most of the time, people cook caramel by heating up regular or brown sugar until it turns into a smooth and creamy substance. However, you can also make caramel out of sweetened condensed milk, creating the same great sauce with a unique, extra-sweet kick.

How do you thicken caramel without cornstarch? ›

How to Thicken Caramel Sauce
  1. Add heavy cream. Some caramel sauce recipes call for milk, but if you find this still produces a thin sauce, you can add room-temperature heavy cream and return the caramel sauce to the stove for another few minutes. ...
  2. Cook the sauce longer. ...
  3. Make more caramel. ...
  4. Use a slurry.
Jan 21, 2022

Why does caramel need cream? ›

Cream contributes milk solids and milk sugars and proteins along with some water and fat. The water keeps the caramel from setting too firmly, and the milk sugars and proteins contribute to the browning through Maillard reactions.

Does Starbucks have vegan caramel? ›

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. Here is everything you need to know about these flavor-enhancers so you can order with confidence the next time you stroll up to a Starbucks.

Is salted caramel the same as normal caramel? ›

Flavour Contrast: Normal caramel is characterised by its sweet, buttery taste, derived from caramelised sugar combined with butter and cream. It has a rich, indulgent flavour profile that is predominantly sweet. In salted caramel, adding salt creates a contrast that enhances the complexity of the caramel's flavour.

Does Starbucks caramel have dairy? ›

As for the flavoring, clear syrups are vegan, but the sauce-based versions—such as white mocha, pistachio, caramel, and pumpkin spice—contain dairy. The chocolate mocha is the only exception to this rule—the chocolate sauce/drizzle is completely dairy-free!

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.

Does caramel extract have dairy? ›

Anything with caramel in its title may sound like a red flag for milk, butter or cream. But caramel color is typically derived from corn syrup and occasionally from potatoes, wheat, or other carbohydrate sources.

Are Kraft caramels dairy free? ›

From the Package. CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, SKIM MILK, PALM OIL, WHEY (FROM MILK), SALT, ARTIFICIAL AND NATURAL FLAVOR, SOY LECITHIN (EMULSIFIER).

Does caramel flavoring have dairy? ›

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. Fig's dietitian team reviewed this note on artificial caramel flavor. Check if other ingredients have dairy instantly with the Fig app.

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