3 Sugar-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipes (Low Carb, THM) (2024)

Sweetened condensed milk. Otherwise known affectionately by holiday bakers as just Eagle Brand. We all know what it means—cream, butter, and sugar. Combined to make a magic concoction that turns everything it touches into a dessert that brings tears to our eyes (especially to those of us who can’t have it anymore!).

So what is a sugar-free, low carb, healthy baker to do? Learn how to make our own, that’s what!

I’ll be the first to admit that none of the three recipes I have tweaked for this are the same as the creamy, milky lava that creeps out of the Eagle Brand can. However, I also have to tell you that these concoctions are pretty good. And they work—they make amazing fudge (one of the most-similar-to-marshmallow-cream-chocolate-walnut-fudge that I have had!); great Magic Seven Layer Bars; good “Better Than Sex Cake”; and a decent caramel sauce (in the “Eagle Brand in the jar crock pot magic caramel sauce” recipe floating around the internet).

I give three choices—the simplest one has powdered milk (though I’ve been reading about using vanilla protein powder in place of powdered milk…let me know if you try that!) and is a five minute process that is fairly thick.

The moderate-work one is a stove top one that takes quite a while but doesn’t have powdered milk and thickens fine too. (I just start it while I’m doing other cooking and baking and keep watching it and stirring it as I have that kitchen session.)

The last one is the easiest, also healthy—but takes forever in the crock pot and is the thinnest of the three choices.

Once you make some, you can refrigerate it (I like to double or triple) and pull it out for various uses. The best uses by far are the ones within things, like fudge, cake, and bars. Making sauces from it only yields an average, less-than-sticky substance (as many low carb/sugar-free sauces do unless you use sugar-free honey or sugar-free corn syrup). For the recipes I use them in—I love these!

For information about Pyure vs other healthy, sugar-free substitutes, take a look at my chart here, a free chapter from my e-book comparing and expounding upon the choices, and/or my free e-book here.

3 Sugar-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipes (Low Carb, THM) (2)

My homemade, sugar-free versions make the yummiest, most “normal-tasting” chocolate fudge!

Each recipe has the same approximate yield…

Yield: 1 can of “Eagle Brand”—approximately 1 1/3 cup
Net Carbs: 10 grams (for one full recipe)
Calories: 485
Total Fat: 44 grams
Protein: 6 grams

Each one is extremely low carb, extremely high fat, and THM Solid S—no way around any of that! 🙂

Below are links to the ingredients I use in this recipe. I am an affiliate for Amazon.com. If you click on the links below I will earn a small commission. Thank you for your support of this blog!

#1 RECIPE—-Fastest, Least Healthy (powdered milk), Thickest Version—Ready in a Couple of Minutes

Don’t forget to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page for this recipe’s helpful Recipe Keys!

4.0 from 1 reviews

Save Print

Recipe #1 - Easy Sugar-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk

Author:Donna Reish

Serves:1⅓ cup

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients in a blender or with an
  2. immersion blender until creamy.
  3. Store in refrigerator or use immediately

PIN THIS RECIPE!

#2 RECIPE : Sugar-Free Stovetop Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (two plus hours cook time)

4.0 from 1 reviews

Save Print

Recipe #2 - Two-Hour Sugar-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk

Author:Donna Reish

Serves:1⅓ cup

Ingredients

  • 3 cups milk (almond, coconut, half and half, etc.—I use half almond and half ½ and ½)
  • 1 cup Pyure* (or Gentle Sweet or Homemade Pyure, or other stevia-blend)*Or use 2 cups of cup-for-cup sugar sub
  • 2 TBSP butter
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract (not imitation)

Instructions

  1. Combine milk and sweetener in a medium saucepan on medium heat.
  2. Bring to a boil, whisking continually.
  3. Reduce and slowly cook on the lowest temperature until you have approximately 1⅓ cup. This may take two hours or more. Stir often, but not continually.
  4. When milk is reduced by half (resulting in approximately 1⅓ cup), remove from heat and whisk in butter and vanilla extract.
  5. Pour into a clean glass jar and allow to cool. Store in the refrigerator or use immediately. Mixture will thicken more after being refrigerated, so I like to chill then use later.
  6. This was thinner than sugar-filled, store-bought sweetened condensed milk (though it does thicken in the refrigerator more). I’ve toyed with the idea of sprinkling a ½ teaspoon gluccomannan over it and whisking quickly and/or loosening a half a bar of cream cheese (or more) in microwave or stove top and whisking it into the mixture.

PIN THIS RECIPE!

#3 RECIPE: Sugar-Free Crock Pot Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe

4.0 from 1 reviews

Save Print

Recipe #3 - Sugar-Free Crock Pot Sweetened Condensed Milk

Author:Donna Reish

Serves:1⅓ cup

This was thinner than sugar-filled, store-bought sweetened condensed milk (though it does thicken in the refrigerator more). I’ve toyed with the idea of sprinkling a ½ teaspoon gluccomannan over it and whisking quickly and/or loosening a half a bar of cream cheese (or more) in microwave or stove top and whisking it into the mixture. Note: 1⅓ cup equals 14 ounce can of “Eagle Brand.”

Ingredients

  • 3 cups milk (almond, coconut, half and half, etc.—I use half almond and half ½ and ½)
  • 1 cup Pyure* (or Gentle Sweet or Homemade Pyure, or other stevia-blend)*Or use 2 cups of cup-for-cup sugar sub
  • 2 TBSP butter
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract (not imitation)

Instructions

  1. Pour milk and sweetener into crock pot.
  2. Cook on high for one hour covered.
  3. Reduce to medium with the lid half on and half off for 6 to 8 hours, depending on how hot your medium is.
  4. Remove from crock base and stir in butter and vanilla.
  5. When cool enough, pour into jar and refrigerate (or use).

Notes

Once I left this on overnight (lid half on/half off) for about twelve total hours. It was becoming a caramel sauce without putting it in a jar and in a crock pot filled with water (see last recipe in this section). It was thicker than when I used the “crock pot sweetened condensed caramel sauce” recipe at the end of this section. I say that to say that this is definitely something I’m going to be toying with as I don’t like making sauces on the stove top. Not sure what would have happened if I had let it continue on….


PIN THIS RECIPE!

3 Sugar-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipes (Low Carb, THM) (2024)

FAQs

Can you get unsweetened condensed milk? ›

Here's another way to think of it: Condensed milk is evaporated milk with added sugar. Sweetened evaporated milk exists in the form of condensed milk, but there's no such thing as unsweetened condensed milk — that's just evaporated milk.

What is a healthy substitute for condensed milk? ›

For a substitute, simmer 2 cups of almond milk over low heat until the liquid reduces to 1 cup. (This is not a one-to-one alternative. You do need 2 cups of almond milk to make one cup of sweetened condensed milk.) To sweeten this up, you can add 2/3 cup of any type of sugar and mix.

How much sugar can I substitute for sweetened condensed milk? ›

One 14-ounce can is roughly the same as adding 1 cup of evaporated milk and 1 cup of granulated sugar (more accurate is 7 oz. evaporated milk and 7 oz- which is 1 cup- sugar). You can also use half-and-half, whipping cream, coconut milk, coconut cream, or powdered milk mixed to double strength.

Can I turn evaporated milk into sweetened condensed milk? ›

While we don't recommend substituting condensed milk for evaporated milk or vice versa, you can make your own condensed milk when you're in a pinch. Simply heat together 1½ cups of sugar and one can of evaporated milk until the sugar has fully dissolved.

What is the best substitute for sweetened condensed milk? ›

The closest substitute would be heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of white sugar.

What can I use instead of sweetened condensed milk? ›

Substitution alternatives
  • Evaporated Milk. Wonder how to make sweetened condensed milk fast? ...
  • Heavy Cream and Sugar. ...
  • Powdered Milk. ...
  • Canned Coconut Milk. ...
  • Coconut Cream. ...
  • Cream of Coconut. ...
  • Nut Milk and Cashews. ...
  • Ingredients.
Jul 21, 2022

Is condensed milk ok for diabetics? ›

Sweetened condensed milk includes a lot of calories, but it also has a lot of saturated fat, which is dangerous for people with diabetes and heart issues. According to studies, eating a diet high in saturated fats can raise insulin and Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.

Why is condensed milk not advisable? ›

Sweetened condensed milk is high in calories and unsuitable for people with cow's milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance. Its sweet flavor may be off-putting for some and doesn't typically serve as a good substitute for regular milk in recipes.

How can I substitute condensed milk at home? ›

Combine evaporated milk, sugar, and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium-low heat and whisk together. Heat to a simmer and cook until thick, 15 to 20 minutes.

What happens if you boil a can of sweetened condensed milk? ›

Sure enough, Carnation condensed milk comes with a warning: "Do not boil unopened can as bursting may occur." According to Serious Eats, when the boiling water evaporates, leaving the metal exposed, the can may warp, split, or yes, explode.

Why is condensed milk so expensive? ›

Additionally, the increased demand for the product has driven up its price, as manufacturers are unable to keep up with the demand. This has led to a rise in the cost of the product, which has further limited its availability.

What does sweetened condensed milk do in baking? ›

Condensed milk adds a lovely creaminess and sweetness to a wide range of dishes, especially desserts. To use, it is simply poured or spooned from the can into the other ingredients.

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

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.

How much sugar do you add to evaporated milk to make condensed milk? ›

In a pinch, you can make sweetened condensed milk from evaporated milk. Mix 1 cup evaporated milk with 1 1/4 cups sugar. Heat until the sugar is dissolved, then cool. For a better substitute for sweetened condensed milk, use powdered milk.

What can I use condensed milk for? ›

Condensed milk recipes
  • How to make fudge. A star rating of 3.8 out of 5. ...
  • Rice pudding ice cream. A star rating of 5 out of 5. ...
  • Quick & easy tiramisu. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. ...
  • Tres leches cake (milk cake) ...
  • Gingerbread tres leches cake. ...
  • No-churn ice cream. ...
  • Crumbly fudge. ...
  • Peanut butter-stuffed French toast.

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

The only difference between the two is the presence or absence of sugar. Sweetened Condensed Milk (as the name implies) has had sugar added, which gives it a much longer shelf-life than the unsweetened Condensed Milk, also called Evaporated Milk.

Does condensed milk always have sugar? ›

This shelf-stable product is a form of concentrated milk in which about 60 percent of the water content has been removed, after which sugar is added before canning. Condensed milk contains 40 to 45 percent sugar.

Why does condensed milk have so much sugar? ›

The sugar extends the shelf life of sweetened condensed milk. Sucrose increases the liquid's osmotic pressure, which prevents microorganism growth.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Mr. See Jast

Last Updated:

Views: 6237

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Mr. See Jast

Birthday: 1999-07-30

Address: 8409 Megan Mountain, New Mathew, MT 44997-8193

Phone: +5023589614038

Job: Chief Executive

Hobby: Leather crafting, Flag Football, Candle making, Flying, Poi, Gunsmithing, Swimming

Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.