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Home » Desserts » Easy Homemade Vegan Caramel Sauce

Published: Apr 23, 2019 by Karly · This post may contain affiliate links

Easy Homemade Vegan Caramel Sauce

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Indulge without the guilt when you whip up this super easy homemade vegan caramel sauce! A simple coconut caramel and one of my favorite 4 ingredient recipes, vegan, dairy free, and paleo, this sauce is a winner if ever there was one. Follow the simple tips below to produce the most stunning dairy free caramel around; it’s easier than you think! You’ll be using this sauce on every dessert that crosses your path in no time at all, so get ready to enjoy caramel goodness.

angled view of a small jar of vegan caramel sauce with a drizzle pouring into the jar

The Glory of Options

If there is one thing I love about living in today’s world is the options. There is a substitute for almost anything imaginable, and there are few things that breathe a bigger sigh of relief than being able to enjoy your favorite foods without worry.

Whether you’re gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and everything in-between, there is bound to be someone out there who has created the perfect recipe to accommodate your needs. And even if you don’t have dietary restrictions but are simply looking for something different, the options exist, so let’s try them!

angled view of a pot of vegan caramel sauce ingredients before cookingnear-overhead view of a jar of vegan caramel sauce with a spoon sticking out of it and a plate of apple crumble tacos in the background

What’s In This Vegan Caramel Sauce?

You’re just 4 ingredients away from delicious caramel goodness. How amazing does that sound?

  • full-fat coconut milk
  • coconut sugar
  • coconut oil
  • vanilla extract

If you’re a fan of salted caramel sauce, you can easily add a pinch of sea salt too!

angled view of a pot of vegan caramel sauce after cooking down, with a whisk inside the pot

How To Make Vegan Caramel Sauce

Unlike standard caramel, dairy free caramel is a breeze to make. You don’t have to watch it carefully to prevent scalding like you do with regular milk!

Just pop the coconut milk and coconut sugar in a pot, bring it to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer and let it go. Stir occasionally, of course, but you don’t have to stand on top of it and worry.

This coconut caramel will be very dark compared to traditional caramel, so don’t be alarmed by the color. You want to cook it until it coats the back of a spoon, then put it in a container and let cool. As it cools, the color will lighten and look a lot closer to the first image in this post.

straight ahead view of karly gomez holding a jar of vegan caramel sauce with a spoon drizzling sauce back into the jar

Does This Vegan Caramel Sauce Taste Like Coconut?

Yes, it does.

As someone who doesn’t generally enjoy coconut-flavored things, I really liked the flavor of this dairy free caramel. You still have a lot of the traditional caramel flavor, as well as the texture, but you definitely have a decent amount of coconut flavor in there as well.

Want less coconut flavor? You can use white granulated sugar instead of coconut sugar, and use refined coconut oil versus unrefined, as it has a lighter coconut flavor.

straight ahead view of a hand drizzling vegan caramel sauce onto apple crumble tacos

Easy Homemade Vegan Caramel Sauce

Get your drizzle on with this super simple homemade vegan caramel sauce that comes together in a single pot in 30 minutes and is perfect on your next dessert adventure! A 4 ingredient recipe, you can’t get much more decadent without all the effort of a traditional caramel sauce. Throw this dairy free caramel on some apple crumble tacos and enjoy!

If you like this recipe, please give it a 5-star rating!

You May Also Like…

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Easy Homemade Vegan Caramel Sauce

Enjoy this healthier version of traditional caramel sauce, made from coconut milk and coconut sugar. Sweet and gooey, you'll never believe it's a dairy free and vegan caramel sauce!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Vegan
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
Servings: 16 tablespoons
Calories: 19kcal
Author: Karly Gomez

Ingredients

  • 1 (13.5 oz) can full-fat coconut milk
  • ½ cup coconut sugar
  • 1 teaspoon refined coconut oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add the coconut milk and coconut sugar to a pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, watching carefully to prevent it from boiling over, then immediately reduce heat to a low simmer. 
  • Allow to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce turns a deep amber color and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and stir in the coconut oil and vanilla extract.
  • Pour sauce into a sturdy jar with lid and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Caramel color will lighten as it cools. Enjoy!

Notes

Adapted from Downshiftology

Nutrition

Calories: 19kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Sodium: 9mg | Sugar: 3g
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Imagery Shot With

photo-accessoriesCanon EOS 6D | Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens

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About Karly

From her childhood home in Southern Minnesota, Karly embraces the crazy of everyday life by creating delicious dishes her family and friends love, while experimenting with new flavors and techniques and photographing the results. Karly’s love for beautiful foods and joy for creating is infectious to all who meet her.

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Comments

  1. wilhelmina says

    April 23, 2019 at 7:57 pm

    5 stars
    This sauce is amazing! I just need the jar and a spoon!

    Reply

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author karly gomez of a simple pantry with a background of red bell peppers
Hi, I'm Karly! Welcome to A Simple Pantry, where you’ll find inspiration for any meal and every occasion with tried-and-tested recipes, step-by-step tutorials, and occasional cooking videos that help you prepare easy gourmet dishes the whole family will love.
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i prefer margaritas and sitting in the shade to piña coladas and getting caught in the rain.

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