Just 3 simple ingredients to make your own sugar free, keto, sweetened condensed milk at home to use wherever traditional condensed milk is used in your favorite recipes. Just 1 g carbs per tablespoon!
Sugar Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
If you've been a baker all your life and have used the deliciousness of canned sweetened condensed milk in many recipes, you may feel a bit deprived if you are now watching your sugar intake or following a low carb diet or keto diet this holiday season.
There's one thing I learned long ago when I went sugar free back in 2006, is that to make this a lifestyle that is sustainable, I knew I never wanted to feel left out or deprived. That's why I started creating savory recipes as well as my favorite keto desserts and have over 1000 recipes on my website since 2011!
You can enjoy and use this homemade sugar-free condensed milk recipe to replace any traditional high carb sugary treat you have used in the past for your holiday baking!
What is Sweetened Condensed Milk?
Traditional Sweetened condensed milk is cow's whole milk that has had the water removed and has added sugar so it has a lot of carbs. It is a very dense, thick liquid that is often used in many traditional baked goods like pie, puddings, ice cream and even in coffee.
When you're following a keto diet or sugar free diet, you won't find any sugar free condensed milk in any grocery store, but don't worry because today this easy recipe is just like the real thing but has just 1 gram net carbs with no added sugars!
I've never found unsweetened condensed milk in any stores either but I suppose if you wanted to make this full recipe without any sweetener you could do that though the point of using regular condensed milk is for adding sweetness to your low-carb desserts.
If you're dairy free, a great alternative to sweetened condensed milk is canned coconut cream but be sure to find one that doesn't include sugar since most do.
Making a sugar-free, keto sweetened condensed milk has been something on my foodie to-do list for some time now and I'm excited to share this phenomenal recipe with you.
You can certainly use this deliciously creamy, but sugar free sweetened condensed milk in your daily cup of coffee or tea instead of your regular sugar substitute!
It's also a fantastic sugar alternative for any recipe that uses sweetened condensed milk and you'd like to make a low carb version.
Carbs in Condensed Milk
Total carbs in just 2 tablespoons of regular sweetened condensed milk, using my favorite app Cronometer, has 20.8 grams of carbs and 123 calories!
Our keto condensed milk recipe has just 2 gram carbs in 2 tablespoons and 81 calories.
When to Use Sugar Free Condensed Milk
The good news is that many of your favorite keto dessert recipes use condensed milk.
Use this recipe the next time you make my Homemade Keto Magic Cookie Bars and my Tres-Leches cake instead of the canned coconut milk used in the recipe.
Of course any easy sugar free chocolate fudge recipe uses real condensed milk and now you have a homemade sugar-free version!
It's also a great addition as a topping over some fresh blueberries, raspberries, strawberries or blackberries.
Add this to your morning cup of coffee or tea!
The best part about this recipe is that it's a two for one! You can turn this condensed milk recipe into caramel sauce with just a few more minutes of your time.
Simply simmer the mixture on medium low heat for about an 45 minutes to one hour until it's thick and reduced down by half. Adding some cinnamon and nutmeg might be nice as well!
Tools to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Quart Stainless Steel Saucepan- This is the perfect sized, good quality saucepan for most of your basic recipes that require making a sauce. Stainless steel is a better option than nonstick pans as they won't leach chemicals into your food.
Wooden spoons-This Oxo set has 3 different sizes and a great grip on the handles that I really love.
Mason jars- 3 different sizes are a great investment to have in your keto kitchen. This recipe needs a 16 ounce mason jar to store.
Best Sugar-Free Sweeteners for Homemade Condensed Milk
Not all low carb sweeteners act the same in recipes and for this condensed milk, you really need to be careful about which ones you use to yield the best smooth texture and results.
You only need just three ingredients which are heavy whipping cream, unsalted butter, and low-carb sweetener.
I like to add a pinch of salt since the butter is unsalted and also a little bit of vanilla extract, but they are both totally optional.
If you use any type of erythritol-based sweeteners, they will all cause your sugar free condensed milk to crystalize in the fridge once your condensed milk is set. You can avoid crystallization simply by using powdered Allulose or even liquid Allulose will work.
Most brands of Monk Fruit sweetener still include erythritol, except this brand which includes Allulose instead, and will work great for this recipe.
If you can't purchase Allulose where you live, you can make my Keto Simple Syrup that can replace the Allulose sweetener in this recipe.
If you want to use another low carb sweetener besides the ones suggested above or different from what I used in this recipe, simply follow my Sweetener Guide & Conversion Chart.
Directions
Pour one cup of heavy whipping cream into a medium sized sauce pan. Add unsalted butter and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add a pinch of salt if using (optional). Continually stir and cook for 5 minutes.
If using an electric stove, you may need to move pan on and off heat to regulate temperature so it doesn't boil over.
Whisk in the amount of sweetener needed and continue to stir while on a gentle simmer for 10 minutes or until thick and coats the back of a spoon.
Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla extract if using. This makes about 1.25 cups. Allow it to cool.
It will thicken as it cools. If not using the recipe right away, store in a glass jar or glass bowl, covered, and in the fridge.
When you are ready to use it, just reheat for 30 seconds in the microwave. It may separate when heated, simply whisk vigorously to combine and use in your recipe as needed.
How to Store & Reheat Sweetened Condensed Milk
If not using right away, store in a glass mason jar, covered or an airtight container, in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Reheat the entire recipe for 30 seconds in the microwave or add a small amount you need to a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat on the stove.
In some easy keto recipes you actually just scoop out a small portion of the condensed milk, cold from the fridge, so in some recipes you may not need to heat it up at all.
It will look like it has separated when re-heated, but no need to worry at all. Simply give it a good stir to combine and it will come back together just as you made it the first time. Continue to use in your recipe as needed.
Fabulous Keto Christmas Sugar-Free Recipes you might enjoy:
- Pecan Snowballs
- Easy Sugar Free Fudge
- Crisp Gingerbread Cookies
- 4 Ingredient Caramel Candy
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- Chocolate Cream Pie
- Candied Pecans
- Sugar Cookies
Sugar Free Keto Sweetened Condensed Milk
Sugar Free Keto Sweetened Condensed Milk
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup Powdered Allulose (confectioners or your favorite sugar free sweetener)
- pinch salt optional
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Pour one cup of heavy cream into a medium sized sauce pan. Add butter and bring to a boil. Add a pinch of salt if using. Continually stir and cook for 5 minutes. If using an electric stove, you may need to move pan on and off heat to regulate temperature so it doesn't boil over.
- Whisk in sweetener and continue to stir and simmer for 10 minutes or until thick and coats the back of a spoon.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. This makes 1.25 cups. Allow to cool. It will thicken as it cools. If not using right away, store in a glass mason jar or bowl, covered, in the fridge. Reheat for 30 seconds in the microwave. It will separate when heated, simply whisk vigorously to combine and use in your recipe as needed.
Notes
Nutrition
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
Terri
Good morning Brenda! This is one of my favorite things to make as I'm trying to get away from coffee creamers with bad ingredients. I'm cooking on a gas stove and my first try of making this it turned almost to carmel! I did only add a tablespoon of butter but still so good!
I really miss your live cooking but you said you are finishing up your cookbook!
Thank you again for your recipes!
Brenda Bennett
Thank you!
Barbara
This stuff is legit! I've made her regular recipe as well as trying it with both coconut milk & coconut cream. it cones out perfect every time & is far better than the canned, sugar laden junk at the store! Highly recommend!
Judy M
Hi Brenda, please forgive me for not reading the post in November. I see that canned coconut milk would help make it dairy free. My brands never gave sugar.
But can I sub for the butter with butter-flavored coconut oil? Butter causes big problems. Even a little.
Or should I just quit trying?
Thank you,
Judy
Judy M
Would love to have sweetened condensed milk. Any suggestions on how to make this dairy free?
I have tummy problems with sugar alcohols. I am leery of allulose. Would liquid stevia drops work? Thank you ever so much. I love your recipes.
Mary Ginter
What an awesome question! I hope she reaches out to you .
Rilia Callaghan-Sander
I made this last night and I think it is better than Carnation’s. It comes together easily. Great instructions, easy to follow. I am not versed in the art of baking. If I can do it, anyone can.
Brenda
Wow! Thank you so much!
Marvie
I would like to use my unsalted butter. What would be the additional salt needed to compensate for using unsalted butter?
Brenda
At least a 1/4 teaspoon.
Amanda
Does this recipe freeze well?
Brenda
Sorry I haven't tried freezing it.
Phyllis
Question if all sugar substitutes make me sick and give me migraines! What can I use or just add 1/2 amount of sugar?
Barbara
I have procrastinated making this for forever because I thought it'd be hard. I finally bit the bullet yesterday after getting the baking bug as I wanted to make her cranberry magic cookie bars. OMG this stuff is a total game changer! It came out perfect & tastes just like the sugar loaded canned stuff at the store! Magic cookie bars are a family favorite at Christmas but none of us could have them because of all of the carbs & sugar. Now I can make them guilt free!
Brenda
Thank you!
Terri
I made this and it was amazing. I do think I will not add the butter because after sitting in the fridge even after warming up I could really taste the butter. I think Like butter but I don't want it in my coffee. I am going to try to make a dairy free one. So glad to have the recipe.
Caprice
OMG!!! I can make haystacks!!! So excited thank you!!
Lori
Other than the sweetener listed in the recipe, can Swerve or Allulose be used?
Brenda
If you want to use another low carb sweetener than what I used in this recipe, Swerve and Allulose aren't as sweet as Better than Sugar so
simply follow my guide; https://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/natural-sugar-free-low-carb-sweeteners-guide-conversion-chart/
Julie-Ann Moore
Can Monkfruit sugar be used instead?
Patricia
How long will this keep in the fridge? I'm hoping a fairly long time. It was so easy to make. Thank you.
Brenda
Yes it should keep for a few weeks I think.
Julie
Hello! Would this recipe work as a glaze? Would it be sticky or no? Do you heva a recipe like royal icing that would not stick but I need sugarfree? Thank you
Alex
Hi, i made it with 1/2 cup of all purpose stevia blend sweetener and it turned out extremely sweet, should i make another hwc batch and add to it? Thanks!!
Brenda
That would work.
Marilyn
Do you use sugar free confectionery sugar or the granular type?
Thank you for the response!
Brenda
If you click on the item in the recipe it brings you to the one used and next it I wrote, confectioners or your favorite sweetener.
Ingrid
Can this be used to make caramel slice?
Brenda
I haven't tried it but I do think it would work.