Coconut Caramel Sauce Recipe (Vegan Caramel) - The Yummy Bowl (2024)

· Modified: by Julia | The Yummy Bowl · 3 Comments

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This Coconut Caramel Sauce is the easiest caramel recipe out there, you’ll never want store-bought again. It comes together with only 5 ingredients that are all cooked in one pot until thickened to desired consistency.

Let’s take a look on how easy this coconut caramel sauce recipe is.

Coconut Caramel Sauce Recipe (Vegan Caramel) - The Yummy Bowl (1)
Coconut Caramel Sauce Recipe (Vegan Caramel) - The Yummy Bowl (2)

If you haven't tried my Pineapple Pancakes yet, what are you waiting for? They are delicious! Feeling Tropical Vibes yet?

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  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Easy Dessert Sauce Recipes
  • Tips and Variations
  • Storing
  • Serving suggestions
  • Recipe
  • Comments

We have a great collection of different sauces, condiments, and dips. In my opinion, homemade should mean: easy, healthy, and quick. And this Homemade Caramel Sauce recipe ticks all the boxes!

Ingredients

  • Vanilla paste- you can use both paste or extract, but if using a paste, ½ teaspoon is enough for this recipe as it is stronger than the vanilla extract. I prefer paste but it is not a big deal if you don’t have this on hand.
  • Milk- I used coconut milk in this recipe, it is hands down, the best substitute for heavy cream or any cream I’ve found so far. But I understand not everyone is a fan. I have yet to try this recipe with cashew, soy, and almond milk. As I have researched so far, these alternative milk may require longer simmering times (unless they’re homemade and thicker in texture).
  • Sugar- All-natural sugar of your choice. That can be coconut sugar, cane sugar, organic brown sugar, date sugar.
Coconut Caramel Sauce Recipe (Vegan Caramel) - The Yummy Bowl (3)

Instructions

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan.

Coconut Caramel Sauce Recipe (Vegan Caramel) - The Yummy Bowl (4)

Combine all the rest ingredients in the saucepan and simmer over low heat, whisking constantly or until thickened and no longer watery.

The sauce will reduce in volume and start thickening after about 30 minutes. Remove from heat once you’ll see this result, usually in between 30-50 minutes, and set aside to cool. Keep in mind that the sauce will thicken even more as it cools.

Easy Dessert Sauce Recipes

  • Berry Banana Jam (Without Pectin)
  • Homemade Lingonberry Sauce (Easy Berry Meat Sauce)
  • Homemade Mixed Berry Dessert Sauce for pancakes!
Coconut Caramel Sauce Recipe (Vegan Caramel) - The Yummy Bowl (5)

Tips and Variations

  • If you like this caramel try this next: Pumpkin Caramel Sauce.
  • The texture- When you’ll start cooking the sauce (especially if you haven’t made any caramel sauce before) you won’t see that much of a difference in the texture. But be patient, it requires a little time (about 30-50 minutes) to start seeing the result and when everything comes together.
  • Store- transfer the sauce to specialty store-bought kitchen squeeze bottles and refrigerate.
  • Vanilla- is optional but does enhance the flavor quite a bit!
  • Make it a Salted caramel (coconut) sauce - a little bit of salt is added to the recipe anyway but for that salted caramel-like taste feel free to increase the salt at least double.
Coconut Caramel Sauce Recipe (Vegan Caramel) - The Yummy Bowl (6)

Storing

Best to keep this caramel sauce refrigerated in an airtight container as it has butter in it.

It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 weeks, or freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature, before using.

You can also reheat the sauce very briefly once ready to serve, and will help to thin out the caramel a bit. Hot caramel sauce is THE BEST thign in this worlds to be served over pancakes, ice cream and waffles.

Serving suggestions

This coconut caramel sauce recipe can be used in:

  • Pancakes, waffles, ice cream
  • Transfer to a little cute sealed glass jar and give as a gift!
  • Drizzle over Porridges
  • As a fruit dip
  • Drizzle over brownies
  • Drizzle over cookies or add to batter as a sweetener
  • As a sweetener in the batter for brownies, muffins, bread, pies
  • And well, anything you’d like!

Recipe

Coconut Caramel Sauce Recipe (Vegan Caramel) - The Yummy Bowl (7)

Vegan Coconut Caramel Sauce (Vegan Caramel)

Julia | The Yummy Bowl

This coconut caramel sauce is the easiest vegan recipe out there, you’ll never want store-bought again. It comes together with only 5 ingredients that are all cooked in one pot until thickened to desired consistency. Easy, creamy, and healthier - made with all-natural ingredients, and goes with everything you pour it over!!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 7 oz

INGREDIENTS

  • 13.5 oz can of coconut milk, unsweetened
  • cup muscovado or coconut sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt or kosher salt
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, I used lactose-free or sub with coconut oil or vegan butter
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla paste, or sub 1 teaspoon vanilla extract*

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Melt the butter in a medium saucepan.

  • Combine all the rest ingredients in the saucepan and simmer over low heat, whisking constantly or until thickened and no longer watery. The sauce will reduce in volume and start thickening after about 30 minutes. Remove from heat once you’ll see this result, usually in between 30-50 minutes, and set aside to cool. Keep in mind that the sauce will thicken even more as it cools.

NOTES

  • Makes about ½ cups of sauce.
  • The texture - When you’ll start cooking the sauce (especially if you haven’t made any caramel sauce before) you won’t see that much of a difference in the texture. But be patient, it requires a little time (about 30-50 minutes) to start seeing the result and when everything comes together. Plus as soon as it is already reduced twice in size and started to thicken it already means that you may finish the simmering and let the sauce cool. It will thicken even more once cooled and will turn thicker overnight.
  • Store - transfer the sauce to specialty store-bought kitchen squeeze bottles and refrigerate.
  • Vanilla paste - you can use both paste or extract, but if using a paste, ½ teaspoon is enough for this recipe as it is stronger than the vanilla extract. I prefer paste but it is not a big deal if you don’t have this on hand.
  • Milk - I used coconut milk in this recipe, it is hands down, the best substitute for heavy cream or any cream I’ve found so far. But I understand not everyone is a fan. I have yet to try this recipe with cashew, soy, and almond milk. As I have researched so far, these alternative milk may require longer simmering times (unless they’re homemade and thicker in texture).
  • Sugar - All-natural sugar of your choice. That can be coconut sugar, cane sugar, organic brown sugar, date sugar.
  • Vanilla - is optional but does enhance the flavor quite a bit!
  • Storing: Store Caramel Sauce refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. You will need to heat it up on the stovetop or microwave as it will be very thick.
  • Freezing: You can freeze Caramel Sauce in a ziplock bag (glass containers not advised as the cream may expand and break the glass) for up to 2-3 months.

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Note:Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be foundhere.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julia

    Coconut Caramel Sauce Recipe (Vegan Caramel) - The Yummy Bowl (8)
    A delicious alternative to a traditional Caramel sauce.

    Reply

  2. an actual vegan

    why describe this as "Vegan" and include butter in the recipe? How insulting to vegans...
    this makes me unlikely to trust any other recipe from this site.

    Reply

    • Julia | The Yummy Bowl

      I've explained this in the ingredients tips!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Coconut Caramel Sauce Recipe (Vegan Caramel) - The Yummy Bowl (2024)

FAQs

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.

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!

Why is my caramel sauce not thickening? ›

Add more sugar to the sauce.

Most caramel sauces are made by caramelizing sugar and adding milk and a little salt. If you increase the amount of sugar in the recipe you'll end up with a thicker caramel. Try increasing the sugar by about 1/3.

What can you substitute for 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.

Why is my vegan caramel grainy? ›

Identify the Cause: Grainy caramel sauce typically results from sugar crystallization during the cooking process. This can happen if sugar crystals form on the sides of the saucepan or if the sugar syrup is mixed too much while cooking.

Why is caramel sauce not vegan? ›

The ingredients list tells us that classic caramel is one of the most non-vegan foods around. The butter and heavy cream are both sourced from cows, and vegans omit dairy from their diet. White sugar is a hit or miss for vegans - some choose to consume it, while others prefer to avoid it.

Why is Starbucks caramel not vegan? ›

It's no secret—Starbucks drinks aren't made with real caramel or fresh fruit. 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.

Can you substitute condensed milk for 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.

Is caramel just heated condensed milk? ›

In this recipe, sweetened condensed milk is cooked until it creates a deliciously rich caramel sauce! The best part is this recipe has ONE ingredient! Just one!

Why did my homemade caramel get hard? ›

If the temperature gets too hot and the caramel becomes too hard as it cools, you can put it back in the pan with a couple of tablespoons of cold water to try and save it.

How do you make caramel sauce more liquid? ›

Caramel is a deliciously sweet sauce that can turn up the volume on any dessert it's added to. But if you're hoping to drizzle caramel over vanilla ice cream or getting ready to dip apples for a fall celebration, you need a sauce that's not too thick. To thin caramel, just add some cream or water over heat.

Why does my caramel seize when I add cream? ›

Heat the cream first before adding to the caramelized sugar.

Adding cold cream to the very hot caramel will cause it to seize and clump. Warming the cream first will allow it to incorporate more easily.

What's the difference between caramel and caramel sauce? ›

For those who are uncertain, Caramel Sauce is not the same as Caramel syrup. The syrup is sweeter and thin, the sauce is richer and thick. (The sauce is the one we use to make our signature Caramel Macchiatos.)

How do I fix my caramel sauce? ›

Graininess occurs when the sugar in caramel sauce hasn't completely dissolved before adding in butter and heavy cream or if the caramel is cooled too quickly. Luckily, you can bring grainy caramel sauce back to a smooth, creamy consistency with an easy fix. Simply reheat it on the stovetop and add more liquid.

What is natural caramel made of? ›

The main ingredient in caramel is sugar. However, depending on the recipe you use, you may have to incorporate butter, heavy cream, water, or corn syrup as additional ingredients. High-quality, real caramel is always made with three basic ingredients and those are sugar, heavy cream, and butter.

Does caramel come from a plant? ›

Traditional caramel is made with ingredients like butter and cream, which are animal-derived products. However, various plant-based alternatives can be used to create a vegan version of caramel that is just as rich and delicious.

Is caramel Flavouring vegan? ›

Artificial Caramel Flavor may not be vegan. Per the FDA, artificial flavors cannot be derived from natural substances like meat, fish, poultry, eggs or dairy products. However, some vegans choose to avoid artificial caramel flavor since it may have been tested on animals when it was initially developed.

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