During my study abroad in Argentina, I was obsessed with dulce de leche; I would eat it on bananas, ice cream, and biscuits. If you don’t know what it is, it is a very thick, sweetened milk. If you want to drool – google a “torta de mil hojas.” I might be talented enough with my gluten-free vegan baking to recreate that cake one day.

This dulce de leche will take 45 minutes. It is not a difficult task, but it takes patience; so take your time, and it will be worth it!

Vegan Dulce de Leche

Once, I attempted to make caramel sauce with coconut cream and maple syrup with no luck. Then, I found Nature’s Charm Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk; I bought it at Fresh Thyme. They also sell it on Amazon. It thickens greatly in this dulce de leche, and is divine!

Ingredients

• 1 can sweetened condensed coconut milk
• 1 ½ tablespoon gluten-free vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup

Directions

1. Combine the sweetened condensed coconut milk & maple syrup in a small saucepan. The maple syrup will make it a slightly tan color.
2. Stir over medium-high heat just until it starts to boil. Do not let it boil over, and remove from heat if necessary.  
3. Add 1 ½ tablespoon gluten-free vanilla.
4. As you see it start to combine, remove it from heat, and add ½ teaspoon baking soda.
5. Mix well, and place back on the stove.
6. Reduce to low heat or a setting that will allow for a gentle simmer.
7. Stir the dulce de leche approximately every ten minutes for the next 30 minutes until it looks darker and thicker.  
8. When it becomes a darker golden color, start stirring it every 5 minutes.
9. When it becomes thicker, and an even darker golden color, test it to see if it’s done.
10. Pour a spoonful onto a plate and run the back of the spoon through the middle of the dulce de leche.  If the dulce de leche does not come together, then it’s done!
11. It makes ~8 ounces. Scoop it into a couple of jars, and use it on ice cream, bananas, apples, or cakes. I’ll be sharing a Dairy and Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Boston Creme Cake, a Chocolate Dulce De Leche Hot Fudge Cake, and a No Churn Vegan Chocolate Dulce de Leche Ice Cream soon!