Plus, the skinny on coconut cream.
Heres what you gotta know about cream of coconut vs. coconut milk.
What Is Coconut Milk?
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Coconut milk is a commonnon-dairy milksubstitute.
Its a white liquid that comes directly from coconut meat, which is broken down.
To make coconut milk, coconut meat is grated and mixed with hot water.
So, its a better option for replacing whole milk in recipes.
Its also a staple in Asian-style cooking.
What Is Coconut Cream?
If you skim off that top layerwhich many recipes suggest you doyouve stumbled upon coconut cream.
In short, coconut cream is made from the richest, most decadent part of mature coconut meat.
It can best be compared tocondensed milk, though its unsweetened and thinner in consistency than cream of coconut.
What Is Cream of Coconut?
Canned coconut milk is often unsweetened.
Coconut is afruit, so it has a natural sweetness to it.
Cream of coconut is simply sweetened coconut cream.
Its taste and consistency make it the best non-dairy substitute for sweetened condensed milk.
Its often used in baked goods, desserts, and drinks.
Its most common app, however, is as a mixer for alcoholic drinks, such aspina coladas.
Can You Substitute Cream of Coconut for Coconut Milk?
In sweet recipes, you’re free to substitute cream of coconut for coconut milk.
Youll need a ratio of about three parts cream of coconut to one part water.
This can be done by skimming the thick layer of cream off the top of canned coconut milk.
To ensure it separates, place a can of coconut milk in the refrigerator overnight.
To use it like cream of coconut, give it a stir and add an equal part of sugar.
In savory recipes, however, cream of coconut and coconut milk arent interchangeable.
