It’s been kind of a blah week or two.
I have a tendency to experience various ups and downs in my mood, which includes feeling apathetic towards things in my life that should really affect me.
I’m not certain why I experience this. Opening up a bit, I don’t take any medications for these symptoms, though in the past, I did try. I found myself more ‘numb’ than anything, so, being the kind of purist that I am, I quickly ceased taking anything.
I tend to get this when life becomes chaotic and overwhelming.
Right now, our family is facing some huge changes, though I don’t want to say specifically until decisions have been made. The lot of it makes me literally want to go sit in a corner and stare at a blank wall for a few hours, just to lessen the surrounding stimuli.
I’ve found my primary solace in recipe creation.
I suppose this is because, aside from my obvious enjoyment of it, I get to be by myself in a sense, and lately, I’ve been struck with some pretty great inspiration!
One of the recipes I have in mind is a remake of one of my mom’s favorite desserts, and for that recipe, I need condensed milk.
Obviously, I am not going to buy the sugar-laden variety, and though I searched for a DIY recipe online, I couldn’t find one low in sugar, so I decided to create my own.
Many of you will probably conclude that this is too much work for you, but take a quick gander at one of the store-bought brands:
Eeek! Soy, dairy, and thensome…a canned allergy attack for someone like me.
Actually, this recipe is pretty hands off once you get it going. The toughest part is just waiting for it to reduce.
I have to tell you, I’ve created this for that particular dessert mentioned above and am unsure as to whether or not it will function in something like pumpkin pie, sorry!
If you don’t use this to make the recipe I have coming up, it might just make a nice sauce for a muffin or healthy cinnamon roll, in lieu of frosting or glaze.
However you use it, I hope you enjoy it!
Low Sugar Homemade Condensed Milk
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 c. coconut milk I use my homemade coconut milk, which is free of any gums or sketchy stuff; see link in the notes
- 1 T. sweetener of your choice
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring the milk and sweetener to a low, brief boil.
- Stir the milk, and quickly reduce the heat to low, creating a low simmer.
- Let the milk and sugar mix reduce for about 1-2 hours, until the resulting mixture looks thickened and is about 1/4 of the original amount (see the popsicle stick pictures below).
- Remove from heat (it will continue to thicken up!).
- Use or store in the fridge.
Notes
Nutrition
Notes:
I’ve only made this with my Homemade Coconut Milk, but I assume it would work with the canned variety.
Though I like this recipe best with coconut sugar, for these pictures, I used a natural white sugar. If you use coconut sugar, the resulting mix will be light brown.
To check the amount the original recipe has reduced by, I find it helpful to use a popsicle stick, as depicted in the following collage:
On the bright side, what would life be without all the lows, right?
If we were in a constant state of elation, the happy times wouldn’t be quite as sweet and gratifying. 🙂
Do you use condensed milk? How do you use it?
Vanda says
I like your outlook on life, its very pragmatic as opposed to emotionally reactive. I feel much the same, I don’t tend to let myself get drunk on my feelings or let them get out of perspective. Which DOESNT mean I don’t get depressed, caught up or otherwise troubled in my life. I don’t think pills ‘fix’ anything either. Hats off to you for handling life and self regulating with poise!
P.S. This was the recipe I looked high and low for. THANK YOU!
And out of chaos sometimes the best things are borne 😉
Lauren says
Thank you, Vanda!…and I agree about chaos and trials. 🙂
Vanda says
I like your outlook on life, irs very pragmatic as opposed to emorionally reactive. I feel much the same, I don’t tend to let myself get drunk on my feelings or let them get out of perspective. Which DOESNT mean I don’t get depressed, caught up or otherwise troubled in my life. I don’t think pills ‘fix’ anything either. Hats off to you for handling life and self regulating with poise!
P.S. This was the recipe I looked high and low for. THANK YOU!
And out of chaos sometimes the best things are borne 😉
Mary @ Fit and Fed says
Hi Lauren, I came here for the recipe– and having a vegan, relatively healthy substitute for condensed milk is a great thing. For myself, I’ve just skipped making anything that had condensed milk in the recipe. I’ve thought about an alternative like this but never tried. I feel bad for you that you are going through such a hard time, especially at this time of year when there’s also darkness and holiday stress. I hope things clarify soon and your creative pursuits in the kitchen continue to give you some relief.
Jennifer Willick says
A company favourite in our house is key lime pie. But the recipe calls for 1 /34 cups of condensed milk. While I hate using canned condensed milk for the obvious reasons, I would have to 5x your recipe for that amount. That’s a lot of coconut milk! But I do love the idea of being able to make it from scratch so I will give it a try. Thanks for sharing this way of avoiding the unhealthy alternative!
Lauren says
Haha, that is A LOT of coconut milk! I know this recipe is a bit of work in that sense, but it could work in a pinch for something small. Thanks for your comment!
Sharon says
We make fudge every year for Christmas that is condensed milk based. It’s a family tradition that I break my usual ‘no processed crap from a tin’ rule. Maybe I’ll give this a whirl this year! And, I can relate about tough weeks. Hope it all sorts itself out. I’m glad you’ve found solace in the kitchen!
Lauren says
Thanks Sharon! I’m not really sure how this will hold up in anything (lol), but I knew it was going to be a component in another recipe I’ll be posting, so here it is. Thanks for your comment, I hope all is well with you girl!
Lynne Stephens says
Great idea in time for the holidays! Thank you!
Strength and Sunshine says
This is so perfect! And so easy 😛
Dawn says
this is fantastic! going to try this one 🙂 i hope things in your life start to even out <3
Lauren says
Thanks girl!