Stop Treating Condensed & Evaporated Milk Like They're The Same Thing (2024)

FAQs

Stop Treating Condensed & Evaporated Milk Like They're The Same Thing? ›

But that couldn't be further from the truth. Condensed milk is also evaporated to remove around 60 percent of the water from fresh milk, but it's supplemented with lots of sugar. Just one ounce of condensed milk has over 15 grams of sugar. The same amount of evaporated milk, on the other hand, only has around three.

For the most part, if you find yourself without condensed milk on hand, you can substitute an equal amount of evaporated milk. The consistency will be the same, but since evaporated milk is unsweetened, you'll need to add sweetener to match the recipe's intended flavor profile or to suit your personal preference.

Evaporated milk is unsweetened, and sweetened condensed milk is sweetened with added sugar, which acts as a natural preservative. Evaporated milk is about 10 percent sugar by weight because fresh dairy milk naturally contains about five percent sugar, mainly in the form of lactose.

The main difference is that condensed milk is very sweet, and evaporated milk is unsweetened. So, if you confused the two in a recipe you'll get a big surprise when, say, your macaroni and cheese turns out super sweet (yuck!)

As Leal explains: "Evaporated milk offers creaminess without sweetness and is suitable for savory dishes and some desserts. On the other hand, sweetened condensed milk is intensely sweet and used in desserts and sweet treats, thanks to its thick, syrupy texture."

As concentrated milk products, whole, reduced fat, and fat-free varieties of evaporated milk have a higher nutrient content than fresh cow's milk. Sweetened condensed milk has an even higher calorie concentration.

Cream of coconut is a great substitute for sweetened condensed milk, giving a hint of tropical flavor. It's dairy-free and can be substituted cup for cup. The thick consistency of cream of coconut closely resembles sweetened condensed milk, allowing for similar richness in many recipes.

And while milk might only last a week in the refrigerator, unopened evaporated milk that is properly stored can last up to two years. But how can you tell when it's gone bad? In short, by looking at it. If your milk has turned dark yellow or brown, don't use it.

Evaporated milk offers a lighter alternative with subtle sweetness, while heavy cream provides unparalleled richness and creaminess. Each ingredient lends its unique texture and flavor profile to recipes, whether it's a savory coconut curry, a decadent coconut cream pie, or a refreshing coconut ice cream.

Evaporated milk gives body to smoothies, thickens up and sweetens coffee, and adds nuance and richness to creamy soups and chowders, not to mention savory sauces and even oatmeal. If you don't have much of a sweet tooth, you can also use it in place of sweetened condensed milk in plenty of desserts.

Is evaporated milk good in coffee? ›

On its own, evaporated milk is thick and creamy, making it an excellent replacement for half and half or creamer in your coffee or tea. You can also experiment with adding it to smoothies, milkshakes, soup, or pasta sauces, although you'll want to use less than you would with regular milk.

One of the first concerns about evaporated milk is whether it's safe to drink straight from the bottle. Although you definitely can, and it is entirely safe to do it, you could find it dense and less enjoyable than drinking the traditional milk you're familiar with.

These items are essentially the same with one big difference: no sugar is added to evaporated milk. Sweetened condensed milk also has 60% of the water removed, but contains 40% sugar. Due to the big flavor difference, they cannot be substituted for each other.

Bakers often use it as a substitute for cream to help reduce fat content. To substitute for a cup of regular milk, add in one part evaporated milk and one part water. For a more fresh-milk taste, add half the called for milk with evaporated milk, and the rest with water.

Evaporated milk is shelf-stable cow's milk with 60% of its water content removed. Sweetened condensed milk, on the other hand, has been modified in a process similar to evaporated milk, with the addition of sugar. In both cases, stabilizers and preservatives are added to enhance the products' shelf life.

It's thicker and sweeter than evaporated milk, which means the two cannot be used interchangeably. It's typically used to make rich desserts, such as magic cookie bars, tres leches cakes or an easy caramel sauce. Just two tablespoons of condensed milk contain 18 grams of added sugar.

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.

Use Evaporated Milk- Make sure to use evaporated milk and not sweetened condensed milk. If you accidentally use sweetened condensed milk your fudge will be incredibly over the top sweet. Cut up the Butter– Before adding the butter in make sure to cut it into smaller pieces for faster melting.