Make Homemade Vegan Milk Duds

These vegan milk duds are just like the real thing! They have a chewy caramel filling coated with chocolate.

"Everybody likes to go to the movies when they're sad."

While the first week of MoFo focused on classic Mad Men food and episodes, this week will center in on Mad Men in a cultural and political context. The characters on Madison Avenue witness several events that overturn the political climate of America and the emotional and cultural context of the show.

Following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Don takes Bobby to see Planet of the Apes. They share popcorn as the camera goes back and forth between the screen and their faces. Afterward, Bobby is mesmerized and Don suggests they see it for a second time.

As he helps his son open a box of Milk Duds to tide them over during the second viewing, Bobby begins talking to the usher. Wildly out of character, he says: "Everybody likes to go to the movies when they're sad."

The look on Don's face is a little sad and confused, possibly because he was having a torrid affair instead of paying attention to Bobby's precociousness over the past couple of years. Essentially, Don's attempts to become closer to his son effectively show just how far away he places himself. But I guess we can't blame Don too much when his son is a different actor every year.

How to make your homemade milk duds

Bobby's observation is universally true. With their experience in mind, I decided to make classic movie snacks, popcorn and Milk Duds. The chewy caramels coated in milk chocolate not known for their shiny appearance or veganness.

Caramel

Luckily, it's pretty easy to make a vegan version. The chewy caramel interior is adapted from the Chewy Caramels recipe in my Vegan Candyland zine, and they're coated in semisweet chocolate.

The caramel recipe is made with dairy free butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, sugar, and vanilla extract. Making caramel is all about getting the temperature right (248°F, or soft ball stage), keeping the mixture over medium heat (not too hot!), and timing. It may take some practice, but luckily this candy is called Milk Duds for a reason. They don't need to be pretty!

Once the caramel is ready, you'll drop spoonfuls of caramel on a baking sheet with parchment paper and let them firm up before dipping in chocolate.

Before you know it, they'll be ready to sneak into the movie theater with you!

📖 Recipe

Vegan Milk Duds

Yield: 2 dozen

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

These homemade vegan Milk Duds are made with chewy caramels coated in chocolate.

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Ingredients

• ⅓ cup vegan butter
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ⅓ cup soy milk
• ¼ cup light corn syrup or agave nectar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening

Instructions

1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
2. Combine all ingredients (except vanilla, chocolate, and shortening) in a medium-sized saucepan.
3. Bring to a low boil over medium heat, stirring frequently.
4. Cook the mixture to firm ball stage, 248°F.
5. Remove from heat and continue stirring until the mixture stops bubbling.
6. Stir in vanilla.
7. Drop about half teaspoon portions of caramel onto the lined cookie sheet until all the caramel is used up. While the caramel is still hot, it will probably flatten into discs.
8. As the caramel cools, you can roll the discs into balls if you'd like. They don't have to be perfect; they're called Milk *Duds* for a reason.
9. When the caramel is completely cool, dip them in chocolate. Melt the chocolate and shortening together in the microwave or on the stove using a double boiler method.
10. Dip the caramels in the chocolate, remove with a fork, and place back on the parchment-lined cookie sheet to cool. Repeat with all the caramels.

Notes

If you have leftover caramel, you can make chewy salted caramels!

1. Pour the leftover caramel onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
2. Sprinkle with coarse salt.
3. Let cool and cut into bite-sized pieces.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1 piece
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 96Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 70mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 0gSugar: 13gProtein: 0g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on seitanbeatsyourmeat.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimates.

Did you make this recipe?

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Want more vegan candy recipes?

• Try the Fairy Food! It's another vintage crispy toffee candy coated in chocolate.
• Make some Nonpareils (or Sno Caps), another classic movie candy.
• Pick up a copy of Vegan Candyland for 13 more vegan candy recipes, including vegan "Tootsie Rolls", "KitKats", and Peanut Butter Fudge.