This recipe was updated on 11/6/2022. I added the original recipe below, and they're similar. For the new recipe, I found that heating the honey and then adding coconut cream works just as well, so now you have a choice. And, updated the photo!
The new recipe is dairy free, however you can also use heavy cream with it if you prefer. And imagine all the things you can add it to: ice cream, coffee, milkshakes, fruit, yogurt, just to name a few. I use this recipe to make caramel apples.
The original recipe works with heavy cream or dairy-free milk or coconut cream. The overriding flavor is that of the salty sweetness of caramel (regardless of which cream or milk you use).
If you use heavy cream with the original recipe and boil the caramel sauce to the point of almost burning, you can turn the caramel into caramel candies. Just place drops of caramel on a parchment paper (or a non-stick surface) and as it cools you can shape each drop and then wrap in paper. And there you have it—caramel toffee candies!
Bonnie says
Elaine Gottschall does not say that canned coconut milk is legal. Her admonition was that canned or packaged foods do not necessarily list all the ingredients on the nutrition label - so you have a false sense of security. That's why she advocates staying away from anything in a box, can, or package. Even a small bite of wheat protein can stay in your system for 3 to 4 months after ingestion, causing immune reactions. You would never know that an ingredient snuck into a can and not labeled was causing such deleterious effects on your gut, yet they can. There is a lawsuit against Freshlike for some canned green beans that actually had added sugar (NOT LISTED on the label of course) to make the beans taste more ripe than they were. The key witness worked on the assembly line and testified that cartloads of sugar were brought in to be added.
In addition, the FDA tests exactly 0% of food products. Look it up. They rely on the word of pharmaceutical companies' and manufacturers' own word and internal tests.
Therefore, I would be extremely cautious with your advice; If you've contacted the manufacturer and they swear by the ingredients, I MIGHT try it. But if you are not continually checking, they could change the ingredients at any time. That's too much risk for many of us with gut issues. And making coconut milk takes less than 5 minutes at home. I personally don't think it's worth the risk. Be careful out there, and good luck.
You may also want to check out: http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/labels1.html
Erica says
Thanks, Bonnie. Yes, the reason for not using canned or packaged foods is hidden, low percentage ingredients. Honestly to be really safe, I would avoid any packaged coconut milk and just make it from fresh or dried coconut if you're following SCD. I thought I had this in the post from many years ago, but added it again since I couldn't find it.
Justine Blanchet says
Dear Erica,
I'm just a kid of 12,but I really enjoy your recipes. My mom thinks that I'm very resourceful with all the recipes I bring to her! I am in charge of making the dessert for Saturday nights. My family and I, are following a diet called GAPS, for my little brother of 9. He has difficulties at school. Since we are homeschooled, my mom helps him a lot! So, that's why I really like the new recipes, and the new things we get to taste! So THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!
Sincerly,
Justine Blanchet
Shamsi says
Just made this with almond milk, erythritol, stevia, and salt. I read somewhere else that when making caramel with erythritol it's better not to stir it once it comes to a boil (erythritol tends to recrystalize all over the place and can harden easily), so that's what I did. After 15 minutes it was delish! Thanks for the recipe.
Shaina says
Do you think this would work to make caramel apples? Does it harden enough to stay on the apples? Thanks!
Erica says
Try this recipe: https://comfybelly.wpengine.com/2010/10/caramel-apples/
Shaina says
Thank you! I'll let you know how they turn out 🙂
Jeri says
This looks so good. I have several bottles of Lyle's Golden Syrup in my pantry that I haven't figured out what to do with. I am going to use it for this recipe and see how it turns out. I'm hoping to make a caramel sauce that stays soft even in a cold drink - just like Starbucks. Caramel Macchiato's are my downfall.
ELizabeth says
this looks so good! i have a question can u keep it in a bolw or does it have to be a jar??
Michelle says
Can't wait to try this with heavy cream for the good saturated fats. We follow Weston Price at our house. SCD diet did nothing for us, but everyone has to do what works. I do like using almond flour for added protein in recipes. My daughter and I love your blog. Thanks so much for the great recipes!!!!
Erica says
Thanks Michelle. Yes, do what works - good advice!
Jenna says
This is so good! I just made it for a Halloween snack for my husband and I! I haven't had that taste in ab out 10 years! Thank you, thank you!
Joanne says
So I just made this with fresh coconut milk and added two tsp of coconut flour about two minutes before I stopped cooking.
It thickened it up a bit and does not taste gritty at all! Yum!
Erica says
Elizabeth - I would suggest you use the nut milk that you like because the caramel will have that taste in it.
elizabeth says
im scd and im looking for a good sauce for ice cream and caramel frap what nut milk works best
Erica says
Hi Luana - I've only tried honey. I imagine maple syrup would work, but you do need some kind of syrup-like sweetener to get the consistency that you want for the caramel. So I suspect the other sweeteners would not work. Commercial caramel uses corn syrup quite often, to get the right consistency.
Luana says
Would xylitol or stevia work for a sweetner?
Erica says
Marie - forgot to add that I would bake the popcorn on a low temperature in the oven for a while. I looked at this page for hints: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=420375
Erica says
Marie - so far my longest run in the fridge has been 4 weeks.
Caramel popcorn - yum. I haven't tried it (yet), but I think I would combine some caramel sauce with some salted butter (or salt and butter), and lightly coat the freshly popped popcorn. I'll let you know if we try it.
Marie says
Looks awesome! How long does it keep in the fridge?
Also, any ideas on how to use it to make caramel popcorn?
Erica says
Thanks Katie. Here is my post on various ways to make coconut milk as well: https://comfybelly.wpengine.com/2010/06/coconut-milk.html.
To make almond or coconut milk, you can simply soak the ground almonds or shredded coconut in hot water at a ratio 1 to 2 (1 cup of almond to 2 cups of hot water). It's actually all over the Internet, and varies in ratio, however the 1:2 ratio yields the richest milk.
nj says
Sounds great. I finally graduated to coconut milk.
I'm sooo happy. I can finally take back my carmel apples!!!
I was thinking of canning this. Do you think it is possible?
Katie says
Tracee,
Elana Amsterdam has an easy recipe for homemade coconut that's nice and straightforward. http://www.ElanasPantry.com
Great thinking -- I erred on the side of sloth and immediately thought of those two cans of coconut milk in MY pantry, heh heh... ; )
Tracee says
Yum. You can also make coconut milk from unsweetened coconut. I've been wanting to attempt making nut milk. If I can perfect it I'll try making this recipe with it.
Katie says
Ellen,
Canned coconut milk without additives actually is legal on the SCD. Many have used the Natural Value brand with great success. Here is a link to the Legal/Illegal list: http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/legal/legal_illegal_a-c.htm
Hope you will try it Ellen -- makes treats like these much easier : )
Katie
Ellen says
Yes, I saw that. I should have also noted that canned coconut milk is not considered legal on SCD. Again, I really love your blog, but SCD success is often in the details....
Stacey says
Canned coconut milk is legal on the diet.
Erica says
Yes as long as it contains no additives. Just coconut milk.
Erica says
Yes, Ellen. I made note of the SCD condition. I don't think this recipe would work well with yogurt, but let us know if you try it.
carrie @ gingerlemongirl.com says
Beautiful!! I bet that would be so delicious over an almond flour cake!
Ellen says
Sounds lovely, but it's not SCD if you start w. heavy cream....You could make the cream into yogurt and then it would be SCD (but taste different). Thanks. Love your blog!