A simple homemade sugar free condensed milk that works wonders in low carb baking and keto dessert recipes. Only 3 ingredients and 0.4g net carbs per tablespoon.
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Sweetened condensed milk... the memories! As a kid, I used to eat it by the spoonful, straight out of the can.
I loved its dreamy creaminess - just like rice pudding, but without the rice. Heavenly indulgence.
Back then, I did not realise how much sugar it contains!
Is condensed milk keto?
Regular condensed milk is not keto friendly at all. Essentially it's milk from which 60% of water has been removed and LOADS of sugar has been added.
A tablespoon of regular condensed milk contains 10g carbs, all of which are sugars.
To enjoy a keto sweetened condensed milk you'll have to make it at home.
Luckily it's super easy and requires just 3 ingredients without any thickeners.
🛒 Ingredients
There are two ways to make a sugar free condensed milk recipe: with dairy cream or with coconut milk.
If you are good with dairy, using heavy cream and perhaps even a little butter is certainly an option. All you need to add is sweetener and let it simmer until it is nice and thick.
However, I decided to make a dairy-free condensed milk and used full-fat coconut milk instead. Coconut milk has a fat content of 18g per 100g as opposed to the punchy 47 grams per 100g in double (heavy) cream.
This way, the recipe contains less fat. It is easier on the stomach and I think it also tastes better!
Here are the ingredients I used:
- Canned coconut milk - from a tin, not a bottle. We are using both the coconut cream and the liquid.
- Powdered allulose - the best sugar substitute for this recipe, I'll explain further below.
- Vanilla extract - optional, but lends a lovely mellow flavor.
👩🍳 Instructions
This section contains step-by-step instructions and photos that show how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities
It's really simple! First, empty all ingredients into a saucepan.
Stirring regularly, bring the mixture to the boil over a medium heat. It will become a smooth liquid.
Reduce the stove to a very low heat and let the mixture simmer for about 30-45 minutes. Continue to stir in regular intervals and wait until the liquid has reduced by half.
The mixture should have thickened and will coat the back of a spoon.
Fill the keto condensed milk into a glass jar and let it cool to room temperature. As it cools, it will thicken further.
Once it has cooled fully, store it in the fridge.
Note: Don't put the hot condensed milk straight in the fridge as the cream will solidify into little gloops of fat. Give it time to cool slowly.
✅ Recipe tips
- Use allulose.
When I first published this recipe in 2018, allulose was not available in the UK and I used powdered erythritol. Any powdered sweetener works in the recipe - from monk fruit sweetener to xylitol to Swerve.
However, no sugar substitute will give the same smooth consistency that allulose does. It does not re-crystallize and behaves just like sugar. All other low carb sweeteners become a little gritty as they cool. (It's not a huge problem, but since it can be avoided - why not!)
I now use allulose in all recipes where smoothness is key, such as my Keto Sugar Free White Chocolate, this Vegan Keto Caramel Sauce or my Keto Flan.
A tip if you can't source allulose and are stuck with erythritol: Adding a little xanthan gum reduces the re-crystallization and makes it more gooey.
2. Keep the heat low.
If the sugar free sweetened condensed milk becomes too hot, it will burn. It's important to stir regularly and stick to a low heat.
3. Reduce the liquid by half.
Wait until the mixture has reduced by half. Only then take it off the heat. As a rule of thumb, the larger the pot, the quicker the milk will cook. If it's still liquid, it needs to cook longer.
4. Don't over-cook!
If you cook the sweet milk for too long (and turn the heat too high), it will turn golden and turn into sugar free caramel sauce. That's definitely not the worst thing that can happen - just want you to be aware of it!
🔄 Variations
How to make unsweetened condensed milk
When I first published this recipe, I only used 2 tablespoons of sweetener and double the amount of coconut milk. The result was still super tasty and surprisingly sweet, because coconut contains a fair amount of natural sweetness.
Therefore, it is entirely possible to completely omit the sweetener and simply cook down the coconut milk.
Just keep in mind that recipes with condensed milk generally require it to be sweet.
🍽 Uses
Are you wondering how to use this sugar free condensed milk? Here are a few ideas:
- Use it as a topping. Drizzle it over berries or use it as a sauce for cakes such as my Vanilla Coconut Flour Cake.
- Swirl it into sugar free ice cream.
- Make a Vietnamese coffee. Simply add the condensed milk like a coffee creamer.
- Tres Leches cake. I already have a tres leches cake recipe in my Keto Desserts Cookbook. I want to add one here on the blog soon as well.
- Key lime pie
- Almond Joy cookies
- Dulce de Leche
- Classic fudge. Simply mix with chocolate chips!
⏲ Storage
Refrigerator. Store in an airtight container or mason jar the fridge for up to 4 weeks. If it becomes too firm to use, simply let it come to room temperature or re-heat gently. Don't microwave as it can separate.
Freezer. Alternatively, freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge and give it a good stir to loosen it up.
More dairy free keto desserts
Interested in dairy free sweets and desserts? Check out my Dairy Free Sugar Free Custard (Keto) or this extra-creamy Keto Creme Brulee.
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Recipe
Sugar Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary.
Ingredients
- 14 oz / 400ml coconut milk canned
- ¼ cup / 45g allulose powdered
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Empty all ingredients into a saucepan. Stirring regularly, bring the mixture to the boil over a medium heat. It will become a smooth liquid.
- Reduce to a very low heat and let the mixture simmer for about 30-45 minutes. Continue to stir in regular intervals and wait until the liquid has reduced by half. The mixture should have thickened and will coat the back of a spoon.
- Fill the keto condensed milk into a glass jar and let it cool to room temperature. Once it has cooled fully, store it in the fridge.
Notes
Nutrition
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Mary
Yummy and very easy to make!
Jo
Hi I have been simmering it for a while and it is still not very thick, is there any thing i can do?
Katrin Nürnberger
Just give it time. It will reduce.
Janaya
What sized jar is best for the amount of this recipe? I would have buy jars as I have none to re-use so I'd rather buy the right size 🙂
Katrin Nürnberger
The recipes makes 1 cup or 240 ml condensed milk. So, a jar that holds 250-300 ml would be perfect.
Brandon
Hi. Late to the discussion. Can I use coconut cream instead of coconut milk? THANKS!!
Katrin Nürnberger
Good question. The answer is, probably yes. You’ll be adding more fat, so the consistency will be firmer - unless you reduce the cooking time.
Julie Naulls
Hi Katrin. I haven't made this recipe yet as I have a question about the coconut milk. Do I use the entire can, or just scoop out the refrigerated cream from the can? And therefore, how many cans do I need for this recipe?
Thank you
Katrin Nürnberger
Hi Julie, I used the entire can of coconut milk and cooked it down until enough liquid had evaporated.
Marge Haile
this is great! I needed to make a Lemon Pie for Fathers Day. I've made it traditionally with Reg. Sweetened Condensed Milk for years. Since we've shifted to Keto, He hasn't had his favorite pie, then I found your wonderful recipe. I made it as described except added Organic Lemon extract and peel of one lemon. OMG...its terrific and smells joyful. Thank you so much, he'll be so happy!
Gaëlle Mazan
Excellent ! So approaching the real thing I really had to refrain from finishing the jar as soon as it had cooled down !
Thank you so much for your recipees !
Gaëlle, a French admirer
Katrin Nürnberger
That's always the downside when you really like something.... 🙂
Sallyrose
how long will this keep in the refrigerator?
Katrin Nürnberger
It should be fine for at least a week.
Lynda Abram
Hi Katrin, would this wonderful recipe work in Banoffee Pie? I've craved it since I had to give up dairy!
Also what would you use instead of whipped cream?
Katrin Nürnberger
I've never tried making banoffee pie with this, but why not? You could use whipped coconut cream instead of the dairy!
pym
would this also work with canned coconut milk lite?
Katrin Nürnberger
I have never tried it, so I'm not sure. With light products, there's normally a higher water content and then they add thickeners to achieve the same consistency fat would provide. You'd have to give it a go.