Plenty of alternatives 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 be looking over some of the best substitutes for sweetened condensed milk.

Before looking for an alternative option, it’s important to understand how sweetened condensed milk is made. Sweetened condensed milk is canned milk that has been cooked down to remove all its water content. You sweeten your condensed milk with sugar while cooking it down. The result is a thick, creamy, sweetened liquid with a delicious flavor 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 can be a great way to reduce fat and added sugars to make healthier desserts. They also provide a solution for those who cannot consume dairy products, making them perfect for vegan recipes. Some substitutes, such as coconut cream, offer a unique flavor that can make dishes stand out from the crowd.
The best substitutes for sweetened condensed milk are evaporated milk, coconut cream, coconut milk, heavy cream, whole milk and sugar, powdered milk and sugar, or almond milk and sugar. Check out more info about each option. Discover more in the FAQs section below.

1. Evaporated milk

Evaporated milk is a fantastic substitute for sweetened condensed milk since they both have the water content removed. It provides the same creamy texture and flavor but has less sugar and fewer calories. Subsequently, evaporated milk does not have the same caramelized taste that sugar brings to sweetened condensed milk.
When replacing sweetened condensed milk with evaporated milk, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if your recipe asks for 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, use 1 cup of evaporated milk. Add sugar if necessary. Many use evaporated milk in baking, sauces, puddings, and other desserts.
It is also possible to use sweetened condensed milk as an alternative to evaporated milk.

2. Coconut cream

Coconut cream is a great dairy-free, vegan-friendly option to replace regular sweetened condensed milk. It’s just as creamy and has a rich and nutty flavor that pairs well with desserts and beverages. Plus, coconut cream is healthier than sweetened condensed milk since there are no added sugars or preservatives.
When replacing sweetened condensed milk with coconut cream, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if your recipe asks for 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, use 1 cup of coconut cream. A notable aspect of coconut cream is that it adds a hint of tropical flavor to your recipes.

3. Coconut milk

Coconut milk can be a great substitute for sweetened condensed milk in baking and cooking. It’s naturally dairy-free, lower in calories, and has a unique, creamy flavor. Coconut milk brings a unique coconut flavor to dishes, ideal for brownies, cakes, or ice cream toppings.
Here’s how to prepare coconut milk to use in place of sweetened condensed milk:

1. Simmer a can of full-fat coconut milk with ¼ cup of sugar and whisk the ingredients in a saucepan at medium heat.
2. Reduce the heat just before the mixture starts boiling.
3. Allow the mixture to simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Keep stirring the mixture until it thickens.
5. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool.

When replacing sweetened condensed milk with prepared coconut milk, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if your recipe asks for 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, use 1 cup of prepared coconut milk.

4. Heavy cream

Heavy cream combined with sugar is a good substitute for sweetened condensed milk. Heavy cream is as fat as sweetened condensed milk and has low water content. The only thing missing is sugar, which you can add separately.
Here’s how to prepare heavy cream to use in place of sweetened condensed milk:

1. Mix 1 cup heavy cream and ¼ cup sugar in a saucepan – granulated or caster sugar work best since they melt easily.
2. Simmer the mixture under low heat.
3. Stir it until it boils and the sugar dissolves in the cream.
4. Place the mixture in the fridge to cool.

When replacing sweetened condensed milk with prepared heavy cream, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if your recipe asks for 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, use 1 cup of prepared heavy cream.

5. Whole milk and sugar

A combination of whole milk and sugar can work as a substitute for sweetened condensed milk. The key difference is that whole milk has water.
Here’s how to prepare whole milk and sugar to use in place of sweetened condensed milk:

1. Pour 2 cups of whole milk into a saucepan and place on a stove – granulated sugar works best since it dissolves fast.
2. Slowly simmer the milk at medium heat.
3. Add ⅔ cups of sugar and mix well.
4. Let the mixture simmer on low heat until the milk is almost half the original amount.
5. Allow the mixture cool, and then move it to the fridge to make it thicker.

When replacing sweetened condensed milk with prepared whole milk and sugar, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if your recipe asks for 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, use 1 cup of prepared whole milk and sugar. Use it for ice cream, fudge, custard, frosting, and pies.

6. Powdered milk and sugar

Powdered milk and sugar make a good alternative to sweetened condensed milk. However, this combination provides a less thick and creamy texture than sweetened condensed milk. Additionally, it doesn’t add the same richness.
Here’s how to prepare powdered milk and sugar to use in place of sweetened condensed milk:

1. Mix ⅓ cup of powdered milk with ⅓ cup of hot water.
2. Simmer on low heat until the mixture starts to thicken.
3. Add a couple of teaspoons of sugar to sweeten the mixture. Continue adding sugar until you achieve the desired sweetness.
4. Allow the mixture to cool before transferring it to the fridge.

When replacing sweetened condensed milk with prepared powdered milk and sugar, apply the 1:1 ratio. For example, if your recipe asks 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 dairy milk, so your recipes will have a lovely taste and aroma. For example, use condensed almond milk for Vietnamese iced coffee, cookies, pie, and cheesecake. It’s necessary to condense almond milk to reduce the entire water content and mix it with sugar to replace sweetened condensed milk.
Here’s how to prepare condensed almond milk with sugar to use in place of sweetened condensed milk:

1. Add 2 cups of almond milk to a saucepan and place it on a heat source.
2. Simmer the milk until it’s reduced to 1 cup.
3. Add ⅔ cup of sugar and mix thoroughly until the sugar dissolves.
4. Lower the heat and simmer the mixture until it has a thick caramelized consistency.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow it to cool before moving it to your fridge.

When replacing sweetened condensed milk with condensed almond milk and sugar, apply the 1:1 ratio. For instance, if your recipe asks for 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, use 1 cup of condensed almond milk and sugar.