What can I substitute for cream of coconut?
Running low on cream of coconut? Here are the best verified substitutes, including how to adjust your measurements.
About cream of coconut
Cream of coconut is a thick, heavily sweetened coconut product made from coconut cream and sugar, most commonly associated with tropical cocktails such as the piña colada. It has a rich, intensely sweet coconut flavour and a syrupy consistency that distinguishes it from unsweetened coconut cream or coconut milk. Its high sugar content and viscosity make it particularly suited to beverages, desserts, and sweet sauces where both coconut flavour and sweetness are desired.
Best substitute
Coconut cream with sweetened condensed milk
Mixing unsweetened coconut cream with sweetened condensed milk closely replicates the thick, sweet character of cream of coconut. Combine roughly equal parts to achieve a similar sweetness and consistency, adjusting to taste.
Use ½ cup coconut cream + ½ cup sweetened condensed milk for every 1 cup cream of coconut
cocktailsdessertsbakingsweet saucesNot suitable for: savoury dishes
Alternative
Coconut cream with sugar syrup
Whisking unsweetened coconut cream with simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, dissolved) mimics the sweetness and pourable consistency of cream of coconut. This option is useful when condensed milk is unavailable and allows you to control sweetness precisely.
Use ¾ cup coconut cream + ¼ cup simple syrup for every 1 cup cream of coconut
cocktailsdessertssaucesNot suitable for: savoury dishes
Alternative
Coconut milk with icing sugar
Full-fat coconut milk can be sweetened with icing sugar to approximate cream of coconut, though the result is thinner and less rich. Whisk in icing sugar until dissolved and adjust quantity to reach desired sweetness.
What is cream of coconut called in other countries?
| Country | Name |
|---|---|
| Australia | cream of coconut |
| New Zealand | cream of coconut |
| United Kingdom | cream of coconut |
| United States | cream of coconut |
Common names for cream of coconut
sweetened coconut creamcoco creamcoconut cream syrup