Sugar Free Condensed Milk

What is sweetened condensed milk?

Sweetened condensed milk is a thick, sweet milk-based syrup that comes in a can from the grocery store. You’ll find it in many recipes for desserts and baked goods. It is made by heating milk to remove most of the water content, then adding sugar to sweeten and thicken it into a syrupy consistency.

The process of making sweetened condensed milk involves adding sweetener to milk or milk solids. Then evaporating about 60% of the water content from the milk, which concentrates its flavor and sugars. The resulting mixture is a smooth, creamy syrup with notes of caramel (produced from heating the sugars and milk).

What pot should you use to make sweetened condensed milk

When making sweetened condensed milk, use a heavy-bottomed saucepan or pot. A heavy-bottomed pot distributes heat evenly and prevents the milk or cream from scorching or sticking to the bottom, which causes a burnt taste, curdled chunks and ruins your batch.

A saucepan with a non-reactive surface, such as stainless steel or enamel-coated cast iron, is recommended. Avoid using aluminum or copper pots as they can react with the acid in the milk and affect the flavor.

Choose a pot that is large enough to hold the milk and sweetener mixture comfortably, with some room for expansion as the mixture heats up, simmers and thickens. A 2-quart or 3-quart pot should be sufficient for this recipe.

How to tell sweetened condensed milk is ready

Knowing when the sugar free sweetened condensed milk is ready is crucial to the success of the recipe; otherwise, you risk burning the sweetened thickened cream. Generally, sweetened condensed milk is ready when it has thickened and reduced in volume, and has a light caramel color.

The easiest way to tell if your mixture is ready to pull from the burner, do the spoon test.

1. Dip a spoon into the mixture.
2. Then run your finger across the back of the spoon.
3. If the mixture leaves a distinct trail on the spoon and doesn’t immediately fill in, it’s ready.

Once the sweetened condensed milk is ready, remove it from the heat and let it cool before transferring it to a container for storage. The condensed milk will thicken further as it cools. If it’s too thick, just add a little warm water to thin it out.

What recipes can I use sweetened condensed milk in?

Many recipes call for a can of sweetened condensed milk in place of milk, cream or sugar. It’s my shortcut ingredient for making fudge, caramels, even ice cream.

Here are some low carb recipes that use sugar free condensed milk:

• Key Lime Pie
• Fudge
• Vietnamese-inspired Iced Coffee

Ways to modify your condensed milk

This sweetened condensed syrup is perfect as is but here are some suggestions on ways you can modify it for different flavor or texture.

Add more notes of caramel

In addition to the allulose, add a brown-sugar free sweetener like Brown Swerve or Truvia Sweet Complete Brown Sugar Replacement. Or instead of adding more sweetener, add a teaspoon or two of molasses.

Thicker texture

This sweetened condensed milk will thicken as it cools, but if you need it to be thicker when warmed or at room temperature, try adding some powdered milk.

Make it dairy free

1. Heat the coconut milk, sweetener and ghee or vegan butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it has reduced.
2. Continue to stir until the mixture has thickened and developed a caramel color.

Storage information

Refrigerator

Homemade sweetened condensed milk stores well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Sweetened condensed milk will thicken and become even more viscous as it cools in the refrigerator, so you might need to add a little warm water to thin it out before using it in recipes. Heating the mixture in a warm water bath will help to thin it out as well.

Homemade sweetened condensed milk doesn’t contain preservatives like store-bought varieties, so use it within a reasonable timeframe to ensure freshness and prevent spoilage. If the sweetened condensed milk develops an off odor, flavor, or appearance, discard it.

Freezer

If you plan to store the sweetened condensed milk for longer than 2 weeks, it is recommended that you freeze it. Sweetened condensed milk can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, transfer the sweetened condensed milk to a freezer-safe container and label with the date. Thaw the sweetened condensed milk in the refrigerator overnight before using it.