Coconut Milk Caramels Without Corn Syrup (Dairy-Free Recipe) (2024)

by Cara | candy making without corn syrup, Dairy-Free, Dessert and Treats, Do it yourself and save | 7 comments

Coconut Milk Caramels Without Corn Syrup (Dairy-Free Recipe) (1)

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Coconut Milk Caramels Without Corn Syrup (Dairy-Free Recipe) (2)

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1 Dairy-Free Soft Caramels with Sea Salt (corn-syrup free recipe)

1.1 Ingredients

1.2 Instructions

1.3 Learn how to heal leaky gut

“Use coconut milk to make caramels, and then they’ll be both dairy and corn free!” My friend Lorrine said as I described to her my new fascination with making homemade candy without corn syrup. I gave it a try and after a few tweaks on the proportion of sugar-to-coconut milk, was delightedwith the results!

These smooth classic caramels are free ofmajor food allergies (gluten, dairy, eggs… even corn). They do taste faintly of the coconut that they are made with, but the overwhelming taste is caramel with an initial blast of delicious salt to counteract the sweetness.

If you haven’t made candy before, or need to brush up on the ‘hows and whys’ be sure to check out the overview article: Gourmet Candy Making Without Corn Syrup, Artificial Flavors, or Colors first.

Coconut Milk Caramels Without Corn Syrup (Dairy-Free Recipe) (3)

Dairy-Free Soft Caramels with Sea Salt (corn-syrup free recipe)

Course:Dessert

Cuisine:dairy free, Gluten Free

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Servings: 64

Author: Cara Comini

Classic caramels made with coconut milk to make them dairy free. This recipe is also free of corn, nuts, eggs, and gluten.

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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. In the pot of your Instant Pot, or in a stock pot for use on the stovetop (choose a large one, it will bubble up in later steps), combine sugar, coconut nectar, a pinch (about 1/4 teaspoon) sea salt and water with a whisk until all the sugar is wet.

  2. Remove whisk, clip on candy thermometer so that the bulb is in the sugar mixture but not touching the bottom of the pot, and turn the Instant Pot on to Saute- Medium. Alternatively, heat pan on the stovetop over medium heat.

  3. Heat until just before hard crack stage (310* F). Do not stir at all during this time.

  4. As the sugar mixture heats, use a small saucepan to heat the coconut milk over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Heat until it starts to boil, then turn heat off.

  5. Add vanilla to coconut milk after heat is off.

  6. As soon as sugar mixture reaches 310*, remove from heat (place on a trivit or hot pad) and slowly pour in in hot coconut milk/vanilla mixture. Be careful, there will be lots of steam and the mixture will increase in volume.

  7. Stir to mix coconut milk into the sugar mixture and return to medium heat.

  8. Cook until caramel mixture reaches 260* F. Do not stir during this cooking process.

  9. As the caramel mixture cooks again, line a loaf pan or 8x8 pan with parchment paper, and grease with coconut oil or spray with cooking spray. Alternatively, a silicone pan can be used without the need to line or spray.

  10. Once caramel reaches 260*, pour into prepared pan. Do not scrape the edge of the pan, only pour off what comes out on its own.

  11. Place pan with caramel on a cooling rack and allow to cool until it comes to room temperature. Cover and transfer to the fridge.

  12. After caramel is set, 4-8 hours later, sprinkle with remaining sea salt flakes and pop out of the mold by lifting up the parchment or inverting the silicone pan.

  13. Use a knife that you have run under hot water to heat up to cut into 1" squares. Wrap in waxed paper, cellophane, or parchment paper squares individually to keep caramel from sticking together. Caramel can also be served in small parchment paper mini muffin cups.

  14. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 months, freezer for up to 6 months, or enjoy right away. Caramel may melt at room temp, depending on how warm your home is.

Coconut Milk Caramels Without Corn Syrup (Dairy-Free Recipe) (4)

Learn how to heal leaky gut

Coconut Milk Caramels Without Corn Syrup (Dairy-Free Recipe) (5)

60-page ebook of all my best GAPS Diet (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) articles all in one place.

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  1. HigherGroundHerbsandHomesteadon October 13, 2017 at 7:17 am

    Will these work out if made with goat or cow milk? We raise our own animals for food, but I’m not seeing too man coconuts here in AL. :)

    • Caraon October 13, 2017 at 8:11 am

      I have a recipe coming out that uses dairy cream in a few days, I would use that one :)

    • Serene Swansonon November 11, 2023 at 8:47 pm

      The cocunut nectar you link you provided is unavailable. Would agave work as a substitute? Or possibly honey?

  2. Joanneon October 17, 2017 at 11:10 am

    Can I use a Stevia sweetener instead of organic sugar? My husband is diabetic.

    • Caraon October 17, 2017 at 11:55 am

      Hi Joanne, no you can’t, the recipe depends on sugar for consistency. Sorry about that!

  3. Andreaon February 23, 2018 at 8:21 pm

    Yikes, I made these tonight and they taste great but came out so hard. Like break your teeth hard. I kept running a water bath test throughout just to make sure my thermometer was working since it had been a while, but other than that I followed the recipe to a t so I’m not sure what went wrong. I may attempt this again later. I appreciate you making recipes for dairy free candy!!

    • Caraon February 24, 2018 at 6:28 am

      Hi Andrea, that’s good to know, I haven’t had that problem before- did you adjust for altitude at all? Do you know your elevation?

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. - […] get you started, here are Dairy-Free Salted Caramels that you’re sure to […]
  2. - […] Dairy Free? Yes, you can have delicious soft caramels too! The recipe is here. […]
Coconut Milk Caramels Without Corn Syrup (Dairy-Free Recipe) (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.

Is there milk in caramel? ›

2. Does Caramel Have Milk In It? Some forms of caramel candy and sauces can have milk in them, but the traditional recipe for making caramel doesn't include milk. That being said, most recipes for making caramel include some sort of a dairy product in them, regardless of whether that's butter, cream, or milk.

Why is caramel syrup not vegan? ›

Unfortunately for vegans, most commercially available forms of caramel include non-vegan ingredients like milk that give caramel its creamy, rich texture. Thankfully, vegans don't have to give up caramel entirely.

What can I use if I don't have corn syrup? ›

9 Corn Syrup Substitutes for Silky Sauces and Crackly Candy
  • Agave nectar. “If I had to make a substitution, I would probably try agave first,” says New York City-based recipe developer Janine Desiderio. ...
  • Brown rice syrup. ...
  • Honey. ...
  • Golden syrup. ...
  • Black treacle. ...
  • Cane syrup. ...
  • Tapioca syrup. ...
  • Maple syrup.
Oct 24, 2022

Is corn syrup necessary for caramel? ›

Light Corn Syrup: This is an imperative ingredient that gives the caramel a softer, chewier consistency. Also, and more importantly, corn syrup helps prevent the cooking caramel from crystallizing into a gritty, grainy texture. Butter: A main ingredient in caramel candies and caramel sauces.

Is coconut cream the same as coconut milk? ›

Coconut Cream vs Coconut Milk

Compared to normal coconut milk, coconut cream has a much higher fat content, containing around 19-22% fat. Coconut cream still retains the delicious coconut flavor that coconut milk has, but is much thicker as it is essentially coconut milk with less water.

Is Smuckers caramel dairy free? ›

Contains Milk Ingredients. Do not microwave or heat bottle.

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.

What is a good substitute for cream in caramel? ›

By substituting milk and butter for cream, you eliminate the need to run out and buy an extra ingredient -- you likely already have these two on hand. The resulting caramel may be thinner, but when drizzled atop your favorite dessert, you likely won't be able to taste or notice the difference.

Does condensed milk turn into 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 there milk in Kraft caramels? ›

From the Package

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

Is Hershey caramel syrup dairy free? ›

Hershey's Syrup Ingredients

Moreover, Hershey's Strawberry Syrup is also dairy-free and vegan, but Hershey's Caramel Syrup is not vegan because it contains skim milk.

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.

Is caramel ingredient dairy free? ›

Caramel is not dairy free. Caramel is typically made from milk or heavy cream. Caramel is not safe for those with a milk allergy. Fig's dietitian team reviewed this note on caramel.

Can I substitute honey for corn syrup in caramel corn? ›

Instead of the usual corn syrup or brown sugar, this healthy caramel popcorn gets its sweetness from honey. The sweet taste of honey mixed with the richness of butter creates a homemade caramel sauce that's simple and yet so good.

How do you make caramel thicker without cornstarch? ›

Add tapioca to the caramel sauce.

Simply add small amount to your sauce to thicken it. Start with about 1 tsp (5 mL) and whisk it into the sauce until fully dissolved. If the sauce still isn't thick enough, add another tsp of tapioca flour.

What does corn syrup do in a recipe? ›

Corn syrup is often added to fudge recipes to keep them from getting grainy, again by inhibiting the formation of large sugar crystals. That's also the reason it's sometimes added to cookie glazes: smaller crystals mean the frosting is shinier when it dries.

Is Karo syrup the same as corn syrup? ›

Karo syrup is a popular brand of corn syrup, which is obtained from corn starch that is derived from maize. It is a concentrated solution of several sugars, such as glucose (dextrose), derived from corn starch. Because of various sugars, corn syrup has a naturally mild sweet taste.

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