Sugar-free condensed milk (keto, low-carb)
You’re going to love how easy it is to make your own Sugar-Free Condensed Milk at home!
This recipe uses just three ingredients and one saucepan, and the result is unbelievably delicious.
It’s also keto-friendly, with less than a gram of net carbs per tablespoon, making it a perfect alternative to traditional sweetened condensed milk. Use it in your coffee, drizzle it over berries, or incorporate it into your favorite keto dessert recipes – the possibilities are endless!
Table of Contents
Traditional condensed milk VS sugar-free, keto condensed milk
Let’s take a look on the nutritional value of these two products:
traditional sweetened condensed milk (one tablespoon, 15 ml) | keto condensed milk (one tablespoon, 15 ml) | |
calories | 60 | 101 |
carbs | 11 | 0.8 |
net carbs | 11 | 0.8 |
fiber | 0 | 0 |
total sugars | 11 | 0 |
protein | 1 | 0,5 |
fat | 2,4 | 10 |
saturated fat | 1 | 6.9 |
As we can see, traditional sweetened condensed milk is packed with sugars and carbs. Even a small tablespoon can disrupt your keto diet and negatively impact your blood sugar levels.
On the other hand, keto condensed milk is low in carbs and rich in fats and calories. While you can indulge in this amazing condensed milk recipe, it’s important to be mindful of your calorie intake and overall fat content in your diet.
Why you'll love this:
- Rich, Creamy, & Keto-Friendly: The ultimate guilt-free indulgence.
- Sugar-Free Sweetness You’ll Love: So delicious, you won’t miss the sugar.
- Incredibly Easy to Make: Just a few simple steps to sweet perfection.
- Only 0.8g Net Carbs Per Serving: Perfect for staying on track with your keto goals.
- Endless Possibilities: Drizzle it on breakfast favorites, use it in desserts, or enjoy it by the spoonful!
How to make sugar-free condensed milk?
Ingredients
Prepare these simple ingredients, that are available at any grocery store:
- Heavy cream (or heavy whipping cream) for a rich, creamy base.
- Unsalted butter for extra flavor and richness.
Low-Carb Sweetener: The best sweetener depends on your needs, here are some options:
- Allulose: This sweetener is a great choice for those who want the closest match to sugar’s taste and texture. It’s about 70% as sweet as sugar and doesn’t have any aftertaste.
- Erythritol: A popular zero-calorie option and my go-to sweetener. Erythritol has a slight cooling effect and can sometimes crystallize. It’s also about 70% as sweet as sugar.
- Monk Fruit: This natural, zero-calorie sweetener has a slightly fruity flavor and can be up to 250 times sweeter than sugar. It may have a mild aftertaste for some.
- Xylitol: Xylitol offers a clean, sugar-like sweetness and smooth texture. It has a potential cooling effect, similar to erythritol. Important note: Xylitol is toxic to dogs, so keep this in mind if you have furry friends at home.
- Stevia: Another natural, zero-calorie option, stevia can have a strong aftertaste, so it’s often best used in blends.It’s incredibly potent, being up to 300 times sweeter than sugar.
- Honey/Maple Syrup: While these natural sweeteners add a unique flavor, they contain sugar and will impact your blood sugar levels. They are suitable for a paleo diet, but not for a ketogenic diet.
- Pinch of salt (optional) to enhance the flavors and the contrast.
- Vanilla extract: optional, but adds another layer of flavor.
Exact measurements are provided in the recipe card below.
Recommended tools
For this easy recipe you’ll need:
- Medium to large saucepan/pan
- Spatula/spoon
- Mason jar or an airtight container
- Kitchen scale
- Small strainer (optional)
Instructions
Let’s make some delicious, homemade Keto Condensed Milk! It’s surprisingly easy, and much tastier than anything you can purchase at the store.
First, choose a wide saucepan – this is important because the larger surface area helps the liquid in the heavy cream evaporate much faster, speeding up the process. In your chosen saucepan, combine the heavy cream, sweetener, a splash of vanilla extract, and just a tiny pinch of salt.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and to help the sweetener dissolve.
Now, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer. This is where the magic happens! The time it takes will depend on your saucepan, but it could be anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, or possibly even a bit longer. Just keep an eye on it, and stir occasionally. Remember, we are using a wide saucepan to help with faster evaporation.
You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture has reduced in volume by about half and thickened considerably. It should also have a lovely, slightly golden, caramel-like color, and it should coat the back of a spoon. You can test it by dipping a spoon into the mixture, then lifting it out.
If you want an extra-smooth result, you can strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve at this point. This will remove any small bits of milk solids.
Next, remove it from the heat and stir in some cold, unsalted butter. This adds a touch of richness and helps it cool down.
Pour your beautiful keto condensed milk into a clean jar or container and allow it to cool completely to room temperature. You’ll notice it thickens even more as it cools.
Finally, once it’s cooled, cover the jar and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2-4 hours, or even better, overnight. This will give it that perfect, thick consistency we’re looking for.
And there you have it – homemade Keto Condensed Milk! Use it in your favorite recipes, drizzle it over berries, or add it to your coffee. The possibilities are endless!
Tips for the best results
Stir Regularly: Stirring the mixture is crucial, especially when using a larger saucepan. Regular stirring ensures even heat distribution and prevents the mixture from sticking to the bottom or burning.
Simmer for Longer if Needed: If your condensed milk has a thinner consistency than desired, continue simmering it gently over low heat for a longer duration. This will further reduce the moisture content and thicken the mixture to your liking. Keep in mind that it also thickens as it cools.
Avoid Overcooking: Be careful not to cook the condensed milk for too long, as this can cause it to turn into caramel. Keep a close eye on the color and consistency. If it starts to become too dark, remove it from heat.
Use Powdered Sweetener: Using a powdered sweetener will ensure a smooth texture in your finished product, preventing any grittiness. If you only have granular sweetener, you can pulse it in a food processor a few times to create a finer powder.
Maintain a Gentle Simmer: It’s important to regulate the heat while cooking the condensed milk. Maintain a gentle simmer with small bubbles appearing on the surface. Avoid boiling the mixture vigorously, as it may cause scorching or uneven cooking.
Use a Wide Saucepan or Pan: To expedite the cooking process, it is recommended to use a larger saucepan or pan. This allows for more surface area, leading to faster evaporation and a quicker reduction of the heavy cream.
How to use, what to serve with sugar-free condensed milk?
Here’s how you can enjoy keto condensed milk in various ways:
- Add a spoonful of keto condensed milk to a cup of coffee.
- Drizzle the condensed milk over low-carb berries and fruits.
- Pour the condensed milk over a bowl of cottage cheese and sour cream.
- Make these delicious keto recipes: magic cookie bars or keto key lime pie.
- Serve the keto condensed milk alongside keto pancakes, crepes, or waffles for a delicious and satisfying breakfast. Try out this simple 2-ingredient keto crepes recipe!
Video recipe
FAQ
How to store low-carb condensed milk?
Transfer your homemade condensed milk to an airtight container (like a glass jar or an airtight container) after it cools completely. It will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
How do you melt hardened keto condensed milk?
Place the jar of condensed milk in a deep plate filled with hot water. Let it sit for a while, stirring occasionally until the condensed milk reaches a creamy consistency.
How to make dairy-free sweetened condensed milk?
To make this recipe dairy-free, use coconut milk or coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
When the keto condensed milk is ready?
Condensed milk is ready when the mass decreases in volume, thickens, and develops a slightly caramel color. You will notice stripes from the spatula on the bottom of the saucepan, indicating the desired consistency.
The cooking time will vary based on the size of the saucepan or pan you’re using. In a relatively small saucepan, it can take up to an hour to achieve the desired result. However, if you’re using a larger pan like the one shown in the photos, the process may only take around 15 minutes.
Keep a close eye on the mixture as it cooks to ensure it reaches the proper thickness and color.
More sugar-free recipes:
Sugar-Free Condensed Milk
Simple recipe for making your own sugar-free condensed milk—a perfect topping for keto dishes, with less than one gram of net carbs per tablespoon.
Ingredients
- 240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream
- 12 g (1 tbsp.) unsalted butter
- 30 g (1-2 tbsp.) powdered erythritol or other sweetener of your choice*
- pinch of salt (optional)
- 1 tsp. of vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a saucepan (a wider one is preferable), combine the heavy cream, sweetener, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
- Heat the Mixture: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, not a full boil. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and to help the sweetener dissolve.
- Simmer and Reduce: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and shape of your saucepan. It can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or even longer. A wider pan with more surface area will reduce the liquid faster. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.
- Check for Doneness: The keto condensed milk is ready when it has reduced in volume by about half, thickened considerably, and developed a slightly golden, caramel-like color. You can also do a spoon test. Dip a spoon to the mixture and then take it out. The mixture should coat the back of the spoon.
- Strain (Optional): If you desire an extra-smooth texture, you can strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any small bits of caramelized milk solids.
- Add Butter and Cool: Remove from heat and add the cold, unsalted butter. Stir until the butter is completely melted and incorporated. This will add richness and help the mixture cool.
- Cool to Room Temperature: Transfer the condensed milk to a clean jar or container and let it cool completely to room temperature. It will thicken further as it cools.
- Refrigerate to Thicken: Once cooled, cover the jar and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2-4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the condensed milk to thicken to its final consistency.
Notes
Low-Carb Sweetener: The best sweetener depends on your needs, here are some options:
- Allulose: This sweetener is a great choice for those who want the closest match to sugar’s taste and texture. It’s about 70% as sweet as sugar and doesn’t have any aftertaste.
- Erythritol: A popular zero-calorie option and my go-to sweetener. Erythritol has a slight cooling effect and can sometimes crystallize. It’s also about 70% as sweet as sugar.
- Monk Fruit: This natural, zero-calorie sweetener has a slightly fruity flavor and can be up to 250 times sweeter than sugar. It may have a mild aftertaste for some.
- Xylitol: Xylitol offers a clean, sugar-like sweetness and smooth texture. It has a potential cooling effect, similar to erythritol. Important note: Xylitol is toxic to dogs, so keep this in mind if you have furry friends at home.
- Stevia: Another natural, zero-calorie option, stevia can have a strong aftertaste, so it’s often best used in blends.It’s incredibly potent, being up to 300 times sweeter than sugar.
- Honey/Maple Syrup: While these natural sweeteners add a unique flavor, they contain sugar and will impact your blood sugar levels. They are suitable for a paleo diet, but not for a ketogenic diet.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 100Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6.9gCholesterol: 37mgCarbohydrates: 0.8gNet Carbohydrates: 0.8gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 0.5g