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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Quick & Easy Recipes

    Published: Oct 28, 2022 · Modified: Nov 8, 2023 by DJ · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

    Vegan Dulce De Leche Caramel

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    A tasty and authentic vegan caramel can often be hard to find but this vegan dulce de leche recipe won't let you down. It takes less than 30 minutes to cook and can be added to so many different recipes.

    It also tastes great when eaten alone. Silky smooth are the first words that enter my mind when it comes to this golden caramel.

    A blue ramekin filled with vegan dulce de leche. A golden spoon is drizzling it downards from above. this recipe

    I used this dairy-free dulce de leche for the caramel on top of my vegan twix cookies and it worked perfectly. If you're looking for recipe which is just like a non-vegan version, this is the one you need.

    For other delectable caramel treats, check out my vegan banana pudding poke cake, vegan caramel rice krispie treats and vegan salted caramel cheesecake recipes. You'll be in dessert heaven!

    Jump to:
    • Why You Will Love This Caramel
    • Ingredients Notes
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • How To Make Vegan Dulce De Leche Caramel
    • Expert Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Easy Vegan Recipes
    • Vegan Dulce De Leche Caramel

    Why You Will Love This Caramel

    • A Great Dip - When I make this recipe, I usually use as one particular thing. A dip. I personally love dipping things such as, sliced apples, bananas and berries into it. I recommend that you use a skewer to dip smaller items into the caramel so that it doesn't get all over your fingers. Try dipping my vegan spanish fried cinnamon sugar churros into the dulce de leche. You'll adore the combination!
    • Amazing Texture - When I think of a good caramel, I think of a thick and creamy consistency which drizzles slowly. That is exactly what this dulce de leche is like. In many ways it is similar to the texture of the caramel in my vegan caramel slices.
    • Versatile - This caramel can be used for so many thing and can be added to more or less anything. From breakfast pancakes, to loaf cakes, to no-bake cheesecakes, to mug cakes, the dulce de leche compliments all kinds of desserts.
    • Allergy Friendly & Plant Based - This vegan dulce de leche caramel recipe is completely vegan, gluten free and dairy free.

    Ingredients Notes

    The five ingredients that you will need to make my vegan dulce de leche caramel laid out neatly over a white, marble background.
    • Unsweetened full fat coconut milk - I've seen many people use various types of plant milks like soy milk and oat milk for their vegan caramels. For me, coconut milk is the best option. Although it is a coconut product the taste is completely neutral and delicious.
    • Coconut cream - You'll find this at the top of a can of coconut milk. It's the thick white cream which is completely solid. Originally this wasn't part of my recipe but I found that when it is added, along with the coconut milk, it gives the caramel a creamier taste. It's also great for dairy-free whipped creams like my vegan coconut whipped cream. I also made vegan whipped cream for my vegan banoffee bars.
    • Brown sugar - Also known as Demerara sugar, the brown sugar gives the dulce de leche its 'caramelly' flavor which we all love. If you were to use a different kind of sugar such as, granulated sugar, the taste wouldn't be as authentic.
    • Salt - Vegan caramel is great but vegan salted caramel is even better! Also it is an unbelievably basic ingredient, it makes a huge difference.
    • Vegan butter - Just like the salt, the vegan butter is a game changer. Is there anything better than buttery caramel?

    See recipe card for full information on individual ingredients and quantities.

    Substitutions & Variations

    • As I previously mentioned, coconut milk is recommended for this recipe but, feel free to use a plant milk in its place if they are your preference. I haven't tested them specifically for this recipe, so I advise that you swap them 1:1. Certain plant milks have stronger flavors than others too and may influence the flavor of the caramel. For example, almond milk has a fairly distinct taste. Neutral tasting plant milks will be your best option.
    • If you wish, you can make the caramel even thicker really easily. All you need to do is leave it inside the refrigerator overnight, instead of for just 1 hour. It will be incredibly thick like it is inside my vegan biscoff caramel bars. How long you leave your caramel inside the fridge depends on how you personally enjoy it. The process for making this recipe is actually very similar to the vegan condensed milk.

    How To Make Vegan Dulce De Leche Caramel

    For the full method, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    The coconut milk, coconut cream, sugar and salt, combined in a large pan.

    1: To a large pan, add the coconut milk, coconut cream, sugar and salt. Whisk together.

    The mixture being brought to a boil.

    2: Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the vegan butter.

    The boiling mixture in the pan, reduced to a simmer.

    3: Simmer the caramel mixture.

    The thickened caramel in the pan. It is a golden brown color.

    4: Turn off the heat and let the thickened caramel cool.

    The caramel is in a smaller, square bowl and is even thicker now after being chilled.

    5: Refrigerate the caramel to thicken the caramel further.

    Thick caramel in a small, light blue ramekin ready to be served.

    6: Serve the caramel.

    Expert Tips

    Don't over-evaporate the caramel - When simmering the caramel, turn the heat down enough so that the caramel thickens but doesn't disappear. Otherwise there won't be much left at the end!

    Measure your ingredients properly - Failing to measure out your caramel ingredients accurately will mean that the ratios will therefore, be incorrect and as a result of that, the consistency is likely to be unauthentic.

    An apple piece being dipped into a blue ramekin full of vegan dulce de leche.

    Recipe FAQs

    What should I use my dulce de leche for?

    You can use it on anything you like. Drizzle it onto ice cream, pancakes, fruit or even eat it straight out of the jar!

    Why is my vegan caramel not thickening?

    You likely haven't simmered for long enough. If it is isn't as thick as you like after simmering. Place it into the fridge after it cools.

    Is dulce de leche gluten free?

    Yes, this recipe is 100% gluten free.

    How can I store vegan caramel?

    Place inside the fridge for up to 1 week.

    Can I use any coconut milk for the caramel?

    Yes! Most coconut milk is the same, regardless of branding. Condensed coconut milk can also be added.

    How can I thicken homemade caramel?

    After the caramel has cooled down, I recommend placing it into the fridge. The longer you leave it in there, the more it'll thicken.

    Is there a difference between caramel and dulce de leche?

    Dulce de leche is made by heating sweetened milk until it becomes thick. Caramel is made by simply heating sugar. Both are so delicious!

    More Easy Vegan Recipes

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      3-Ingredient Vegan Coconut Whipped Cream
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    • A smooth and delicious-looking vegan peanut butter mug cake, cooling inside a small, green ramekin.
      Easy Vegan Peanut Butter Mug Cake

    If you tried this Vegan Dulce De Leche Caramel Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    A close up shot of caramel drizzling.

    Vegan Dulce De Leche Caramel

    This vegan dulce de leche is smooth, silky and super creamy. You only need five ingredients to make this delicious caramel. It's so easy!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Vegan Dulce De Leche
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 Portion
    Calories: 475kcal
    Author: DJ

    Ingredients

    Dulce De Leche:

    • 375 ml canned unsweetened full fat coconut milk
    • 300 g coconut cream
    • 300 g brown sugar demerara
    • 0.5 teaspoon salt
    • 0.5 teaspoon vegan butter
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    Making the dulce de leche:

    • To a heavy bottomed pan, add the coconut milk, coconut cream, brown sugar and salt. Whisk together until the sugar dissolves fully and the mixture becomes a light brown colour.
    • Next, bring the dulce de leche mixture to a boil over a medium-high heat. Stir constantly. Then add the vegan butter.
    • Reduce the heat to a medium heat. Continue to boil, uncovered until the caramel has reduced in half. It should also have darkened in colour and thickened. This takes 25-30 minutes. Keep a close eye on it so that it doesn't over-evaporate. 
    • Let the vegan dulce de leche cool then poor into jars or a bowl.
    • Place in the refrigerator for between 30 minutes and 1 hour so that the dulce de leche can thicken more and become gooey. 

    Video

    Notes

    • When simmering the caramel, turn the heat down enough so that the caramel thickens but doesn't disappear. Otherwise there won't be much left at the end!
    • Failing to measure out your caramel ingredients accurately will mean that the ratios will therefore, be incorrect and as a result of that, the consistency is likely to be unauthentic.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 475kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Sodium: 223mg | Potassium: 361mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag Me Today!Mention @vegan_treats_blogger or tag #vegantreatsblogger!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Pia Meema says

      February 20, 2024 at 12:47 pm

      I can’t ingest coconut. Can I substitute it for another plant alternative?

      Reply
      • DJ says

        March 14, 2024 at 9:16 am

        I haven't tested any alternatives but you could try a combination of plant milk and a dairy-free single cream alternative 🙂

        Reply
    2. Linda says

      January 07, 2023 at 6:37 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks for this recipe. Works as a nice sweetener and goes with lots of things

      Reply
    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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