What Is Sweetened Condensed Milk, Anyway? (2024)

DON’T DRINK THE MILK! Not because it’s bad. But because it’s not regular milk. It’s sweetened condensed milk. Which begs the question: What is sweetened condensed milk, anyway? It’s weirdly thick (thicccc) and sticky and kind of looks like Elmer’s glue. In short: It looks gross. But if you’re putting it in things, not just drinking it from the can, it’s not gross at all. Let’s break down the two words in the name and learn a bit about this dairy-based concoction.

Condensed: How do you condense milk? You don’t shove it into a small room (or a trash compactor, for all you Star Wars heads out there). And you don’t abbreviate it to MLK in the fashion of some millennial tech start-up. Milk is condensed by removing water via heat. You’ll probably recognize that process as evaporation. Yes! The part of the water cycle where liquid water turns to a gas that we learned about in fifth grade science! Condensed just means that the milk was cooked down in order to remove some of the water from it, the same way you would cook down a stock or a sauce to concentrate its flavor.

Sweetened: Yeah, you guessed it. There’s sugar added to sweetened condensed milk. The main purpose of adding sugar is to prolong the shelf life of condensed milk, which can sit on room temperature shelves for years. Sugar prevents microorganisms from growing in the milk and helps to thicken it even further—it's added after the milk has been boiled, reduced, and effectively pasteurized.

It’s also worth noting that there is unsweetened condensed milk, but that’s usually referred to as "evaporated milk." You shouldn’t substitute one for the other. They are apples and oranges, as the saying goes.

What Is Sweetened Condensed Milk, Anyway? (2024)

FAQs

What Is Sweetened Condensed Milk, Anyway? ›

Sweetened condensed milk, often referred to simply as condensed milk, is a product made by gently heating whole milk until about 60 percent of the water has evaporated and then adding sugar to a ratio of about 45 percent (by weight) of the remaining milk.

What is in a can of sweetened condensed milk? ›

Pure and simple aren't ingredients, but that's what makes our milk special. Our signature Sweetened Condensed Milk is only made from milk and sugar. Our unique process uses real sugar and real dairy milk to create the perfect base for hundreds of delicious recipes.

What can I use instead of sweetened condensed milk? ›

Condensed Milk Substitutes

If you don't have sweetened condensed milk, you can make your own using evaporated milk and sugar, or you can bring 3/4 cup of white sugar, 1/2 cup of water, and 1 1/8 cups of dry powdered milk to a boil and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 20 minutes.

Is condensed milk just evaporated milk with sugar? ›

Condensed milk is evaporated milk that typically has sweetener added, so much so that the terms 'condensed milk' and 'sweetened condensed milk' are used interchangeably. Sugar is added before canning; condensed milk is very sweet and contains about 40 to 45 percent sugar.

Is condensed milk good or bad for you? ›

Due to the sugar addition, condensed milk is more durable than evaporated milk. The benefits of regular milk are boosted in condensed milk since it contains more sugar. Condensed milk is a good source of these nutrients in addition to calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin A, riboflavin, phosphorus, and protein.

Is evaporated milk the same as heavy cream? ›

Evaporated milk can be used as a substitute in recipes in which heavy cream is used as a liquid ingredient, such as in baked goods, but it doesn't whip well. Substitute the heavy cream in your recipes with an equal amount of evaporated milk.

Can you drink condensed milk out of the can? ›

Can I drink sweetened condensed milk? It is a ready-to-use product so it may be consumed without any other preparation. You can add it to everyday items like in your coffee, on toast with cinnamon, on fruit or yogurt, and in any way you see fit.

What is the purpose of condensed milk? ›

A key ingredient in classic baked goods, this sweetened syrup lends chewy texture and toasty caramelized notes to our favorite new and old sweet recipes and is the key to our easiest homemade cheesecakes and ice creams.

Can you substitute condensed milk for heavy cream? ›

Condensed milk is evaporated milk that has been sweetened with sugar. Evaporated milk can be used in place of heavy cream in most recipes, whereas condensed milk is best reserved for desserts. Some health food stores may sell evaporated coconut milk, which is also a good substitute.

Can I substitute condensed milk for evaporated milk? ›

Evaporated Milk Vs.

Sweetened condensed milk also has 60% of the water removed, but contains 40% sugar. Due to the big flavor difference, they cannot be substituted for each other. Always double-check which can you grabbed off the grocery store shelf to be sure it's the ingredient you're looking for.

How to condensed milk at home? ›

firstly, in a bowl take 2 cup full cream powder, 1 tsp corn flour, 1 cup sugar, ¼ tsp baking soda and 1 cup milk. whisk and mix well until everything is well combined. now pour the milk mixture into a large kadai and keep stirring. keep the flame on medium and keep stirring.

Is condensed milk as bad as sugar? ›

Using sweetened condensed milk to boost calorie content may be more beneficial than using sugar alone since the product also provides extra protein, fat and some bone-healthy minerals like calcium and phosphorus. You can store sweetened condensed milk for a long time without refrigeration.

What sweetener is in condensed milk? ›

As the milk cooks, the majority of the water evaporates, and the texture of the milk becomes gooey. And it becomes sweeter; another very important ingredient in condensed milk is sugar. (If there was no sugar added it would be evaporated milk.) Sugar is added not only for sweetness; it prolongs shelf life.

Does condensed milk go bad? ›

Typically, factory-sealed cans of sweetened condensed milk have a shelf life of one year past the printed expiration date. Both the sugar content and the hermetic sealing of cans are crucial for this extended shelf life. Once opened, the shelf life diminishes significantly, and it should be used within a few days.

Why is condensed milk not advisable? ›

Because condensed milk is more concentrated than the same volume of regular milk, it contains more lactose. cardiovascular issues are more likely to occur. It can also make insulin resistance worse, which inhibits the body from metabolizing the sugar that leads to type 2 diabetes.

Is there a healthy substitute for sweetened condensed milk? ›

Canned cream of coconut

Cream of coconut is a great substitute for sweetened condensed milk, giving a hint of tropical flavor. It's dairy-free and can be substituted cup for cup. The thick consistency of cream of coconut closely resembles sweetened condensed milk, allowing for similar richness in many recipes.

Is condensed milk good for gut? ›

Condensed milk is an excellent way to obtain vital nutrient levels that can assist you in reaching your health and wellness objectives, whether those objectives are to improve your digestive health, put on weight, or fortify your immune system. Condensed milk can help you achieve all of these objectives and more.

Is half & half the same as heavy cream? ›

According to the FDA, half-and-half contains between 10.5 percent to 18 percent milk fat, while heavy cream contains between 36 percent and 40 percent milk fat. Because heavy cream contains more fat, it is thicker and has a richer taste and a creamier mouthfeel than half-and-half.

Is evaporated milk good in coffee? ›

On its own, evaporated milk is thick and creamy, making it an excellent replacement for half and half or creamer in your coffee or tea. You can also experiment with adding it to smoothies, milkshakes, soup, or pasta sauces, although you'll want to use less than you would with regular milk.

Which is better for pumpkin pie, condensed milk or evaporated milk? ›

Sweetened condensed milk is thicker and contains added sugar, so you won't have to add extra sugar and the filling will be very rich. Evaporated milk is unsweetened and has a thinner consistency. This means that you will have to add some extra sugar and that your pie will have a lighter, airier filling.

What are condensed milk cans made of? ›

Taste.com. au's Digital Food Director, Amira Georgy, said: “It's made of full-cream cow's milk that has been heated to remove some of the water content and, as the name suggests, sugar is added to the reduced milk in order to prolong its shelf life and to give it a thicker consistency.”

What's the difference between evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk? ›

Evaporated milk is milk that has been heated so that about 60% of the water evaporates. It is then canned and can be used as you would half-and-half, since it is extra creamy! Condensed milk is made in a similar way, but sugar is added to it so that about 45% of its content is sugar.

What is condensed milk high in? ›

Sweetened condensed milk is high in sugar. Still, as it's made from cow's milk, it also contains some protein and fat, as well as a range of vitamins and minerals.

What is the composition of sweetened condensed milk? ›

The approximate composition of sweetened condensed milk is 8–9% fat, 20–22% non-fat milk solids, 10–11% lactose, 43–45% sucrose, and 25–27% moisture. This high sugar content helps to maintain the quality of the product during its shelf life. Normally, sweetened condensed milk is packaged in metal cans.

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