Chocolate Mondays: Michele's Vegan Caramel

Caramel? Caramelo? Dairy Free? Yes, yes, yes!

Next to chocolate, caramel is a prized treat and a favorite filling, topping or mix in.

So for my recent creations I mixed up a batch of Caramel.

Iy, Yi,Yi!!!! Soo good. What did I decide to put it on besides eating it straight? Red Velvet mini cupcakes.

Usually Cream Cheese frosting is paired with Red Velvet, but I didn’t go with Cream Cheese  because I knew they'd be sitting out at least 8 hr...so I opted for the Vegan Caramel...I felt it was safer with the Swiss Buttercream, which can sit out at room temperature for days.  It turned out to be a particularly chilly day so these little ruby gems did well while they lasted!

Today's post is about how I make vegan caramel filling and used it in the buttercream. It’s a bit of a process. Worth the effort...I promise! The bonus is this caramel can be used so many ways..ice cream, cake filling or from a spoon! 

I set aside 30-60 min. Slots of time to complete a 1,2,3 step process and assemble everything the next day or so.  Building cakes in steps keep the process fun and open to creativity. Making my own caramel instead of buying it at the grocery saves me a few pennies that I can spend towards something else. It's my creative way of tailoring my treats. 

Preparing Sweetened Condensed Milk. There is a host of non-dairy milk to try...each cooks up differently. Hemp milk, Almond milk, and Soy milk just scratch the surface. I used coconut for the recipe below but, no matter what milk you use, this is a make-ahead ingredient so set aside at least 45 min.  cooking time, to prepare.

Vegan/Dairy Free Sweetened Condensed

• coconut milk, 1 can (about 14 fluid ounces and at least 20% fat)

• 1 cup (200 g) finely ground delmara sugar (can be replaced with 1 1/4 cups (420 g) maple syrup, or 1 cup (336 g) honey)

Put all the ingredients in the pot. And let cook down for about 30- 45 min. (or more depending on your ingredients), on a med. flame. If using the sugar, the end result won't turn creamy off white of the store bought brand, but it will be just as thick and syrupy.

if after cooking the condensed milk is too thick...Add more non-dairy milk

Adding more milk will give you a smoother 

Sweetened condensed milk using coconut milk (FULL FAT)

Vegan Caramel filling recipe ingredients

Everything you’ll need makes 1lb 2oz.

*14 oz. Vegan sweetened condensed milk

¾ c. Coconut oil, 1 1/2 stick of vegan butter or margarine

*⅓ c. plus 2 tsp. golden superfine sugar

4 Tbsp. golden syrup or dark syrups (ex. corn and molasses)

1 to 2 tsp. sea salt to taste

Place all the ingredients in a pan. Heat over a medium heat until the butter melts and continue until the caramel comes to a boil. Cook for 8 to 10 min. until it has thickened and darkened. Transfer to a clean bowl and let cool. For storage keep in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

~~~~~~~

*The maple syrup and honey will give you a slightly darker hue.
* Add vanilla, almond or other flavorings to your condensed milk

Caramel  cake  covered in Caramel SBC