🥛 Dairy

Sweetened Condensed Milk vs Evaporated Milk Guide

Learn the key differences between sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk, and discover when and how you can substitute one for the other in recipes.

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Quick Answer

Sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk are different products. Sweetened condensed milk is pre-sweetened, while evaporated milk is unsweetened. You can substitute evaporated milk + sugar for sweetened condensed milk, but not the reverse without adjusting sweetness.

Best Substitutes

Evaporated Milk + Sugar (for Sweetened Condensed Milk)

1:1 (1 cup evaporated milk + 1/2 cup sugar per cup)

Evaporated milk with added sugar can substitute for sweetened condensed milk. This combination provides the same concentrated milk flavor and sweetness needed in recipes.

Best for:

when you have evaporated milk but need sweetened condensed milkbaking recipesdessertsbeveragesemergency substitutions

Mix 1 cup evaporated milk with 1/2 cup sugar. Heat gently to dissolve sugar completely. This creates the same sweetness and creaminess as sweetened condensed milk.

Sweetened Condensed Milk - Sugar (for Evaporated Milk)

1:1 (1 cup sweetened condensed milk - 1/2 cup sugar per cup)

Sweetened condensed milk can substitute for evaporated milk by reducing the sugar in the recipe. This works when you need the concentrated milk flavor without the sweetness.

Best for:

when you have sweetened condensed milk but need evaporated milksavory recipeswhen you want to control sweetnessemergency substitutions

Use sweetened condensed milk but reduce the sugar in your recipe by about 1/2 cup per cup of condensed milk used. This balances the sweetness.

Regular Milk + Sugar (for Sweetened Condensed Milk)

1:1 (1 cup regular milk + 1/2 cup sugar per cup)

Regular milk with sugar can substitute for sweetened condensed milk, though it will be thinner. This works in recipes where the exact thickness isn't critical.

Best for:

when you don't have evaporated milkquick substitutionsbeveragessome baking recipes

Mix 1 cup regular milk with 1/2 cup sugar. This creates sweetness but won't be as thick as sweetened condensed milk. Works best in recipes where thickness isn't crucial.

Heavy Cream + Sugar (for Sweetened Condensed Milk)

1:1 (1 cup heavy cream + 1/2 cup sugar per cup)

Heavy cream with sugar provides a rich alternative to sweetened condensed milk. This works well in recipes where extra richness is desired.

Best for:

rich dessertsfudgecaramelwhen you want extra richnessdecadent recipes

Mix 1 cup heavy cream with 1/2 cup sugar. This creates a richer alternative that works well in decadent desserts and recipes where extra richness is desired.

Half and Half + Sugar (for Sweetened Condensed Milk)

1:1 (1 cup half and half + 1/2 cup sugar per cup)

Half and half with sugar provides a balanced alternative to sweetened condensed milk. This works well in most recipes without being too rich or too thin.

Best for:

balanced recipesgeneral bakingwhen you want moderate richnessversatile substitutions

Mix 1 cup half and half with 1/2 cup sugar. This creates a balanced alternative that works well in most recipes without being too rich or too thin.

Cooking Tips

💡Sweetened condensed milk is pre-sweetened, while evaporated milk is unsweetened
💡When substituting evaporated milk for sweetened condensed milk, always add sugar
💡When substituting sweetened condensed milk for evaporated milk, reduce sugar in the recipe
💡Evaporated milk + sugar is the closest substitute for sweetened condensed milk
💡Regular milk + sugar works in a pinch but won't be as thick
💡Heavy cream + sugar provides extra richness for decadent desserts
💡Half and half + sugar provides a balanced alternative for most recipes
💡Always dissolve sugar completely when making substitutions

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Sweetened condensed milk is pre-sweetened with sugar, while evaporated milk is unsweetened concentrated milk. Sweetened condensed milk is thicker and sweeter than evaporated milk.

Can I use evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk?

Yes, but you need to add sugar. Mix 1 cup evaporated milk with 1/2 cup sugar for each cup of sweetened condensed milk needed.

Can I use sweetened condensed milk instead of evaporated milk?

Yes, but you should reduce the sugar in your recipe by about 1/2 cup per cup of sweetened condensed milk used to balance the sweetness.

Which is better for baking - sweetened condensed milk or evaporated milk?

It depends on the recipe. Sweetened condensed milk is better for desserts and sweet baked goods, while evaporated milk is better for savory dishes or when you want to control the sweetness level.

Why do some recipes call for evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed milk?

Recipes call for evaporated milk when they want the concentrated milk flavor without the added sweetness, allowing you to control the sugar content and flavor profile of the dish.

Summary

Learn the key differences between sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. Discover when and how you can substitute one for the other in recipes with proper ratios and techniques.