Evaporated Milk vs. Sweetened Condensed Milk

Questions and Answers – Evaporated Milk vs. Sweetened Condensed Milk

 

Question:

Could you tell me the difference between condensed milk and sweetened condensed milk?  Alta Dena has a yogurt that has condensed milk as an ingredient but there is no listing of sugar.  Do all condensed milks have sugar added? – Heidi Rouda (10/27/99)

 

Answers:

(1)  The definition of sweetened condensed milk from Food Lover’s Companion by Sharon Tyler Herbst:

A mixture of whole milk and sugar, 40%-45% of which is sugar.  This mixture is heated until about 60% of the water evaporates.  The resulting condensed mixture is extremely sticky and sweet.

Store unopened sweetened condensed milk at room temperature for up to 6 months.  Once opened, transfer the unused milk to an airtight container, refrigerate and use within 5 days.  Sweetened condensed milk is used in baked goods and desserts such as candies, puddings, pies, etc.

 

(2) Unsweetened condensed milk is referred to as Evaporated Milk.  It is a shelf-stable canned milk product with about 60% of the water removed from fresh milk. In the United States it is not sweetened.

 


 

Question:

Can I substitute condensed milk for evaporated milk if I reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe? – Edwina (11/19/05)

 

Answers:

They are not interchangeable as condensed milk has lots of sugar added to it.  Following is a substitution for sweetened condensed milk:

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk – 3/4 cup white sugar mixed with 1/2 cup water and 1 1/8 cups dry powdered milk.

Bring to a boil, and cook, stirring frequently until thickened, about 20 minutes.

 

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