Alternatives to Sweetened Condensed Milk: 7 Great Substitutes (Including Vegan Options)

There are many substitutes that can replicate the taste and feel of sweetened condensed milk, and you can even make many of them at home.In today’s article, we will review some Best Substitutes for Sweetened Condensed Milk.

Before looking for alternative options, it’s important to understand how sweetened condensed milk is made. Sweetened condensed milk is canned milk that has been cooked to remove all the moisture. You sweeten the condensed milk with sugar when you boil it. The result is a thick, creamy, sweet liquid with a delicious and luscious creaminess. Sweetened condensed milk is often used in baking and desserts, but can also be enjoyed on its own or with coffee and tea.

Sweetened condensed milk substitutes are a great way to reduce fat and added sugar for a healthier dessert. They also offer a solution for those who cannot consume dairy, making them perfect for vegetarian recipes. Some substitutes, such as coconut cream, have unique flavors that can make a dish stand out.

The best substitutes for sweetened condensed milk are evaporated milk, coconut milk, coconut milk, heavy cream, whole milk and sugar, powdered milk and sugar, or almond milk and sugar. View more information about each option. Discover more in the FAQ section below.

1. Evaporated milk

Condensed milk is a great substitute for sweetened condensed milk as they both have the water removed。 It has the same creamy texture and flavor, but with less sugar and calories. Subsequently, the condensed milk lacks the caramel flavor that sugar imparts to sweetened condensed milk.

Sweetened condensed milk can also be used instead of condensed milk.

2. Coconut milk

Cream of coconut is a great dairy-free, vegan-friendly alternative to regular sweetened condensed milk。 Equally creamy, it has a rich, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with desserts and beverages. Plus, coconut cream is healthier than sweetened condensed milk because there’s no added sugar or preservatives.

When substituting coconut cream for sweetened condensed milk, apply a 1:1 ratio. For example, if your recipe calls for 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, use 1 cup of coconut milk. A remarkable aspect of coconut cream is that it adds a touch of tropical flavor to your recipes.

3. Coconut milk

Coconut milk is a great substitute for sweetened condensed milk in baking and cooking。 It’s naturally dairy-free, lower in calories, and has a unique, creamy taste. Coconut milk brings a unique coconut flavor to dishes and is ideal as a topping for brownies, cakes or ice cream.

Here’s how to prepare coconut milk in place of sweetened condensed milk:

1. Bring a can of full-fat coconut milk to a simmer with ¼ cup sugar, then whisk ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Reduce the heat just before the mixture starts to boil.
3. Let the mixture simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Continue to stir the mixture until it thickens.
5. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool.

When substituting prepared coconut milk for sweetened condensed milk, apply a 1:1 ratio. For example, if your recipe calls for 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, use 1 cup of prepared coconut milk.

4. Heavy cream

Heavy cream with sugar is a good substitute for sweetened condensed milk。 Heavy cream is as fat as sweetened condensed milk and has a lower moisture content. The only thing missing is sugar, which you can add separately.

Here’s how to prepare heavy cream in place of sweetened condensed milk:

1. Combine 1 cup of heavy cream and ¼ cup of sugar in a saucepan—caster or caster sugar works best because they melt easily.
2. Bring mixture to a simmer over low heat.
3. Stir until it boils and the sugar dissolves in the cream.
4. Place the mixture in the refrigerator to cool.

When substituting prepared heavy cream for sweetened condensed milk, apply a 1:1 ratio. For example, if your recipe calls for 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, use 1 cup of pre-made heavy cream.

5. Whole milk and sugar

A combination of whole milk and sugar can be substituted for sweetened condensed milk. The key difference is that whole milk contains water.

Here’s how to prepare whole milk and sugar in place of sweetened condensed milk:

1. Pour 2 cups whole milk into a saucepan and place on the stove – granulated sugar works best as it dissolves quickly.
2. Bring milk to a slow simmer over medium heat.
3. Add ⅔ cup sugar and mix well.
4. Let the mixture simmer over low heat until the amount of milk is almost half its original.
5. Let the mixture cool, then remove to the refrigerator to thicken.

When substituting prepared whole milk and sugar for sweetened condensed milk, apply a 1:1 ratio. For example, if your recipe calls for 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, use 1 cup of prepared whole milk and sugar. Use it to make ice cream, fondant, custard, frosting and pies.

6. Milk powder and sugar

Powdered milk and sugar are good substitutes for sweetened condensed milkHowever, this combination does not provide the same consistency and creamy texture as sweetened condensed milk. Plus, it doesn’t add the same richness.

Here’s how to prepare powdered milk and sugar in place of sweetened condensed milk:

1. Mix ⅓ cup powdered milk with ⅓ cup hot water.
2. Simmer over low heat until the mixture begins to thicken.
3. Add a few teaspoons of sugar to sweeten the mixture. Continue adding sugar until desired sweetness is achieved.
4. Let the mixture cool before transferring it to the refrigerator.

When substituting reconstituted milk powder and sugar for sweetened condensed milk, use a 1:1 ratio. For example, if your recipe calls for 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, use 1 cup of prepared powdered milk and sugar.

7. Almond milk and sugar

Almond milk is a good alternative to sweetened condensed milk if you prefer a low-calorie, vegan and lactose-free option。 Almond milk is thicker and sweeter than cow’s milk, so your recipes will have a lovely taste and aroma. For example, use concentrated almond milk for Vietnamese iced coffee, cookies, pies, and cheesecakes. It is necessary to concentrate the almond milk to reduce all the moisture and mix it with sugar in place of sweetened condensed milk.

Here’s how to prepare sweetened condensed almond milk in place of sweetened condensed milk:

1. Add 2 cups of almond milk to a saucepan and place it over heat.
2. Simmer the milk until it is reduced to 1 cup.
3. Add ⅔ cup of sugar and mix well until sugar dissolves.
4. Lower the heat and simmer the mixture until it has a thick caramel consistency.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool before moving it to the refrigerator.

When substituting condensed almond milk and sugar for sweetened condensed milk, apply a 1:1 ratio. For example, if your recipe calls for 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, use 1 cup of condensed almond milk and sugar.

common problem

Discover more useful information about sweetened condensed milk and its alternatives.

How to prepare homemade sweetened condensed milk?

Follow these directions to prepare homemade sweetened condensed milk:

1. Combine ½ cup white sugar and 1 cup whole milk in a saucepan.
2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and the milk begins to boil.
3. Reduce the heat to low, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens – this should take about 20 minutes.
4. Remove the pan from the heat, let it cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.

Is sweetened condensed milk the same as condensed milk?

No。 Unlike plain evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk contains sugar. The sugar gives sweetened condensed milk its caramel flavor and makes your recipes delicious. But you can add sugar to condensed milk to make sweetened condensed milk.

Can you store sweetened condensed milk?

Yes, you can store sweetened condensed milk in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Sweetened condensed milk can be frozen for long-term storage – up to 3 months.

Can alternative sweeteners be used when making sweetened condensed milk?

Yes, you can substitute honey, stevia, maple syrup, and molasses for the sugar in sweetened condensed milk. However, the taste will change depending on the sweetener.

epilogue

Sweetened condensed milk is a must have in your pantry, especially when you’re baking and making sweet treats. However, sometimes you run out of cans of sweetened condensed milk, or you just want to use something different. If you run out of this ingredient, just use one of our recommended sweetened condensed milk substitutes. Thanks to them, you can still enjoy your favorite recipes without any problems.