Sugar Free Condensed Milk make with cow’s milk or your favorite milk alternative like coconut. Lighten up your treats with this homemade baking staple!
I had another experiment going on in my kitchen! This time I made homemade sweetened condensed milk with almond, coconut, and cow’s milk. All three varieties were made without granulated sugar!
I do love the convenience of grabbing a can of condensed milk when I need it (mostly for baking), but boy when I looked at the label I realized that half of the ingredients in a can is sugar!
Granulated sugar is what helps thicken the milk giving it that sticky texture along with the process of evaporating the water from heating the milk, but do we really need condensed milk to be so-so sweet? I think not, so I made it my mission to find a way to replicate a prepared can of condensed milk without all the sugar!
Sweeteners can definitely enhance the flavor of foods, but cutting the amount in half or less like I did with this recipe adds flavor, but without the extra-do-nothing-for-you calories and carbohydrates! And guess what? The extra sugar won’t be missed!
I added the homemade sugar-free condensed milk version to a dessert recipe (coming soon!), and not one person said that it needed to be sweeter!
Let me start by saying that since we aren’t using granulated sugar the condensed milk won’t be quite as thick as you may be used to when opening a can of the prepared stuff, but with lots of patience you can get it pretty darn close!
The best part of making this milk on your own is that you will have absolute control over the amount of sweetness that suit your preference, and you can use dairy free options as your milk base as well. Plus, I found an easy way to help thicken the milk (guar gum) if you get impatient waiting for the water to evaporate from the milk like I did.
Here are my thoughts on the results:
- Cow’s milk came out the thickest by heating the milk for over an hour and a half. Curds form so skim it from the top often. I didn’t add the thickener to this version.
- The coconut milk (fav) also took a long time to thicken and I was getting impatient, so after an hour I whisked in 1/4 teaspoon of guar gum. It thickened immediately.
- The almond milk was my least favorite as I think the brand I used is made with too much water, so evaporating it to the desired texture was taking FOREVER. I added 1/4 teaspoon of guar gum and it thickened, but I think it could have used more.
I can’t wait for you to experiment with making your own condensed milk! Tell me what your favorite milk and sugar alternative is! If I wasn’t watching my sugar intake I think I would give coconut sugar a try. I bet it would be tasty!
Now how do you combat the convenience of these overly sweetened prepared foods? It’s simple! Make your own sauces, jams and condiments! Take complete control over the amount and type of sweetener used in recipes!
The next time you go grocery shopping make a conscious effort to look at the label and pay close attention to the ingredient list. You’ll be amazed by how many common everyday foods list sugar as the top ingredient.
Sugar Free Condensed Milk
Homemade Sugar Free Condensed Milk for baking!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups milk (coconut, whole milk, almond)
- 1/2 cup (adjust to your preference) Sugar Alternative (Swerve)
- 3 tablespoons butter (omit for vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon guar gum (optional)
Directions
- In a medium saucepan add milk and sugar alternative together and simmer over medium heat. Stir constantly and when the milk shows small bubbles lower the heat to simmer.
- Continue to simmer until milk reduces and begins to thicken (this can take up to 1½ hours). Skim the top of the milk if a layer forms.
- To thicken with guar gum, in a small bowl quickly whisk together guar with a couple of tablespoons of the cooled milk. Add it to the mix and immediately whisk in.
- Once the desired thickness is achieved remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla extract. Cool and store in the refrigerator.
Recipe found on the web and adapted from Eating Well Living Thin.
Lis @ The Fare Sage
Genius! Definitely pinning this one. Thank you!
Sandra Shaffer
Thanks for pinning! I appreciate the love!
kayla
Genius! What a great alternative to the store condensed milk. I can’t wait to try it!
Sandra Shaffer
Have fun experimenting with this, Kayla! You’ll love having this option when the baking season is in full swing!
Mischelle Sandowich
I wonder if you could use Xylitol for this recipe. I know I have used it for a simple syrup. I will have to give it a try sometime.
Sandra Shaffer
I think Xylitol will work as the sweetener without a problem! Let me know how it turns out!
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh
I didn’t even know one could make condensed milk!! What a great idea!
Sandra Shaffer
Right? It’s just convenient to buy condensed milk prepared, but it hurts my teeth it’s so sweet 🙂 There is always a way 🙂
carrie @ frugal foodie mama
Oh wow! I didn’t even know that you could make homemade condensed milk! 🙂 And I love that it is sugar free too.
Katerina
What a fabulous idea to substitute store bought which is overly sweet!
Kelly
Can I drink this now? 😉 Looks yummy! Thanks for sharing.
Sandra Shaffer
Thanks, Kelly! I’m glad you stopped by 🙂
Angela Campos
Great idea! Can’t wait to try it, Pinned 🙂
Michelle Carney
I’m so excited to try this. I looked for sugar free condeneed milk today so I can make my own coffee creamer but found nothing. I’m going to give this a go. I’m diabetic so I’m ALWAYS looking for ways to make stuff without sugar. It’s way harder than I thought!
Kelly
Did you ever make your creamer? I was also doing a search for sugar free condensed milk for coffee creamer as well. Have you tried this recipe yet?
Thanks!
Sandra Shaffer
You can use this for creamer, but I would thin it out so it’s not too thick. You can also try these recipes – https://www.thefoodieaffair.com/lower-sugar-homemade-pumpkin-spice-coffee-creamer/ or https://www.thefoodieaffair.com/homemade-coffee-creamer/ for a dry creamer.
ashneet kaur
hey thanks for sharing !! .. can we skip sugar in this recipe ? .. can we just use milk and vanilla extract to make condensed milk ?
Sandra Shaffer
Hi Ashneet! I suppose it would depend on what you plan on using the condensed milk for. I haven’t tried it, but would love to know how it works for you!
Shirley Hand
I’m in need of sugar free sweetened condensed milk for making a cheesecake suitable for a diabetic friend, will your recipe work for this project? Love your site!
Thank you
Sandra Shaffer
Hi Shirley! I haven’t tried using this in a cheesecake, so I can’t vouch for how well it will work. If you do try it let me know how it goes. I know it will be delicious 🙂 Thank you for swinging by!!
Cynthia
Hi, great recipe! For how long can be stored on the fridge?! Thanks
Sandra Shaffer
Hi Cynthia, it should be ok in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. It’ll depend on how fresh your ingredients are when you make it. Enjoy!
Sherill
Hi Cynthia, can you use coconut oil in place of butter?
Sandra Shaffer
Hi Sherill! I haven’t tried replacing the butter with coconut oil, so I don’t know for sure. Let me know what you think if you give it a try!
michele
We are watching our sugar too…. but this is the one thing I need for baking and just would forgo eating the bars I make with it. Im thrilled to make my own…. Do you think I can make this and can it so I can make it in bulk and just pull it off the shelf when I need it?
Sandra Shaffer
Since this is made without preservatives I’m afraid that it will last just a couple of weeks unless you can it properly.
Angela
Oh wow, I never knew how to make condensed milk. This is such a great one to have on hand for so many tasty dishes.
Jennifer A Stewart
I love to use sweetened condensed milk in my recipes but hate all the calories! What a great recipe!
Michele Phillips
Couldn’t agree with you more… I’m ALWAYS looking for ways to reduce sugar and the “extra-do-nothing-for-you calories and carbohydrates” in recipes! Making your own condensed milk is such a great idea, and I love the option of making it with different types of milk! Thanks so much, Sandra!
Madi
This is such a good idea! I’m always buying sweetened condensed milk but I had no idea it was so easy to make!
Jennie
Thanks for the great idea! Bump across your site when I’m trying to modify the raisin cheese fillings recipe for a less sweet one. Just can’t find any, then I thought perhaps I can search how to homemade condensed milk (the filling is a combination of cream cheese n condensed milk). Since I found a way to make my own condensed milk, I’m sure my reduced sugar version of raisin cheese bun will be a hit! Thanks again!
Sandra Shaffer
Making your own is the only way to get less sweetener in your recipes! Your raisin cheese bun sounds delicious!
Patti
Good Morning ! I am looking to use this in my Oui Copycat Yogurt recipe…8 cups half and half, 1 can sweetened condensed milk and 4 Tbl. starter yogurt. I am diabetic, so I am wondering if I can just for go the sugar all together or does it need to be used even in a small amount ? Second question.. What is the butter for and.Is the butter necessary ?
Thank You for the post and for answering my questions !
Sandra Shaffer
Hi Patti. Removing all the sweetener if fine since you are using it for a specific recipe that you don’t want sweetened. The butter adds to the creamy consistency of condensed milk. It adds a delicious flavor.
Missy
I think I put too much gur gum, it turned out like pudding, but good pudding lol I ate it like pudding . Next time I will know better
Michelle Wolfson
When you mention coconut milk, are you referring to the stuff in a can or the kind that is a coconut beverage/milk alternative, like almond milk?
Sandra Shaffer
Hi Michelle! I have used both, but noticed that any brand that has more water content like the lite versions of either type will take much longer to thicken as it simmers. Full fat canned works best.