Once you try this simple sugar-free condensed milk recipe, you’re going to want to have it on hand at all times. Believe me, it’s going to be a low carb baking staple from here on in. A useful ingredient for so many other great keto dessert recipes!
It was time to give my sugar-free condensed milk recipe a little update and its own landing page.
For about as long as I can remember, I’ve had a full kitchen cupboard dedicated to baking supplies. And I am not talking about a weeny little half-section either. I mean a full cabinet bursting at the seams with all of the baking staples I need on hand at any given moment. Because you never know when the urge to bake will strike and you never want to be unprepared.
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This was the case for me even in my pre-keto life. The only thing that’s really changed is the actual ingredients that fill the cupboard. I’ve traded all purpose flour for almond flour, coconut flour, and a few other “flours”. Sugar has been replaced by Swerve and a few other useful sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit. I keep sugar-free chocolate chips and baking chocolate on hand at all times. I just need these things around me for a true sense of well being.
But now I have another staple to add to that list: sugar-free condensed milk.
I always had a can of sweetened condensed milk around in my non low carb days, as I found it to be incredibly useful. Alas, there are no low carb commercial options out there so of course I had to go and make my own. Thankfully, it’s ridiculously easy to make your own low carb sweetened condensed milk with three simple ingredients. I bet most of you have these on hand already.
Truth be told, I already have a sugar-free condensed milk recipe here on All Day I Dream About Food. It’s been around for many years and I used to make it all the time. But while relatively simple to make, it was time consuming as it involved reducing cream and milk together for about 2 hours. And since it contained milk, it wasn’t quite as low carb as I would have liked. So I decided to revisit the issue and see if I could make it simpler and more in line with keto.
How To Make Sugar Free Condensed Milk
Use heavy cream. I’ve made a number of other keto recipes where I reduced just heavy cream for a while until it thickened up. That’s what I did here and that’s what makes it so darn simple. It thickens up much faster than my previous recipe and really only takes about 30 minutes, start to finish.
Use low carb sweeteners. I tried this same recipe with two different sweeteners. On the first go, I used powdered Swerve and it worked perfectly. I can’t say for sure it won’t recrystallize a little again if you refrigerate the condensed milk, because that is one of the downsides to erythritol sweeteners. I also tried this same recipe using Bocha Sweet and it was fantastic and didn’t recrystallize at all, even being refrigerated overnight.
Because Bocha Sweet is quite expensive and because it can make things almost too goopy, I’ve found that using half Bocha and half Swerve Confectioner’s gives me the best results. I add the Swerve after most of the reducing is complete, as I find it helps keep it from re-crystallizing as much.
Thickeners to use. Using a bit of xanthan gum helps give the keto condensed milk the right gooey consistency while also inhibiting recrystallization. You could also try gluccomannan.
What about dairy free? Yes, this recipe works with coconut milk! I’ve done it a few times now and it’s delicious. Be sure to use the canned full fat coconut milk for best results. And you may need to add a bit more thickener at the end.
So there you have it. I’ve perfected a sugar-free sweetened condensed milk recipe, making it easier and faster to make. This will become a staple in your keto baking repertoire too, I am sure of it! And there is more to come based on this recipe because it’s ridiculously useful.
Recipes for Sugar-Free Condensed Milk
Perfect Low Carb Vanilla Ice Cream
No Churn Maple Walnut Ice Cream
Once you try this simple sugar-free condensed milk recipe, you’re going to want to have it on hand at all times. Believe me, it’s going to be a low carb baking staple from here on in. A useful ingredient for so many other great keto dessert recipes!
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup Bocha Sweet OR powdered Swerve Sweetener
- 1/4 cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
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In a large heavy saucepan, bring the whipping cream to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 30 minutes. Watch carefully as you want it to simmer but not continue to boil. There should be little bubbles along the edges the whole time.
-
Remove from heat and whisk in the sweetener and butter until dissolved. Sprinkle the surface with 1/4 tsp xanthan gum and whisk vigorously to combine. Let cool 10 minutes. If it's not quite thick enough, whisk in the additional xanthan gum.
txgrandma says
This is another winner! Thanks for your hard work.
Cecily says
I always LOVE seeing your emails and recipe ideas come into my Gmail! I’ve made this with coconut cream and it turned out quite nice! I cannot digest Bocha sweetener, totally wreaked havoc on my digestion. I read that it is digested in the large intestines whereas Erythritol is small intestine…
I’m so grateful for all your wonderful recipes!
Cecily
Nancie Lyons says
This is awesome! How long will it be good for? Store in the refrigerator?
Carolyn says
The version I made with Bocha Sweet kept for over a week in the fridge. As long as your cream is still fresh, it should be fine.
patricia says
I was just going to ask about using coconut cream. Thanks Cecily that you shared your experience in using it. I too have to be dairy free. So coconut cream it is for me.
Catherine says
How would you keep this for future use? In the fridge or can it be frozen? Thanks again Carolyn for another winner.
Carolyn says
I kept the batch made with BochaSweet for over a week in the fridge and it was fine. The Swerve version may recrystallize more, I didn’t try that one. I haven’t yet tried the freezer.
Carol says
Hey Carolyn! Wondering if this can be turned into Dulce de Leche? Might have to give it a try. Thanks for another great pantry staple!! TGIF!!
Colleen Bowden says
I am so glad that you are living your life in the kitchen experimenting with food and bringing us these great (and I mean great) recipes. I have never met you, but love you! Hugs and kisses!
Carolyn says
Thanks so much!
Joan says
Hi Carolyn, thanks for another awesome recipe! I’m wondering if I could use powdered Monkfruit instead of an Erythritol ‘sugar’? My daughter has intestinal issues with Erythritol.
Carolyn says
I think that should work.
Jane Armstrong says
Hooray!! I want to make a Key Lime Pie. Do you have a recipe?
Carolyn says
I am publishing a keto lime pie bar very soon!
Ruth Edmison says
That sounds great. Hope it’s carb friendly, as I’d kill for key lime pie. Use to be lemon meringue & coconut cream, but then I met one made with real key limes & fell in love.
Karen says
This may sound gross, but … gonna say it anyway! HA. My mom and I used to eat sweetened condensed milk right off the spoon! We’d be making magic cookie bars and … yeah…stuff happens. Good thing we had two cans around at all times. =)) Your lc version is wonderful. Now even easier (read, faster to get in my mouth!) Thanks.
Carolyn says
Doesn’t sound gross to me…I did the same!
Kate says
Was interested in your comment about your uncertainty whether Bochasweet affects your blood sugar. Have you noticed a problem with it? Would like to try it but as a diabetic I have to be careful. Thanks.
Carolyn says
I haven’t noticed an issue as yet but I am not as comfortable with it because I haven’t fully tested it. I have tested after eating things that contain it but I haven’t yet done the spoonful of it on its own.
Gabrielle says
Do you think this would be thin enough and incorporate into an iced coffee? Sweetened condensed milk is amazing in coffee, hot or iced. But obviously not very keto friendly! Also, when my husband recently started keto to manage his diabetes (he’s had great success), having some previous knowledge of your wealth of recipes was one of the only things that made me believe it would be doable for us as a family. Thanks for your amazing work!
Carolyn says
I was meaning to try Vietnamese coffee with it. I hope it will dissolve properly but I haven’t gotten there yet!
Allison says
Oh I made some Viatemeses coffee and used my whipper and it was ultra thick and creamy! Did not re crystallize at all. It was delish!
Shawn Anderson says
Sounds a bit like to me, Kafe Con Leche, the Latino type coffee you can get in Miami and other latino restaurants. I love it. Sweet, creamy and full of caffeine! I like it when they give you the pot of Kafe and the side pot of their Con Leche, and you mix it together yourself! Sounds amazing. I will be picking up some groceries tomorrow on my way home from work. Going to get the coconut flour, some xanthan gum, and Almond milk to make some of these yummy sounding desserts. I make this stuff, and that is all I eat then. I love desserts. Is it bad to just eat desserts and pork rinds? Teehee! That is me though. Oh, yes, and crack slaw! I ate that for 4 days in a row last week. I love it. Thanks again for these amazing recipes. I am so not good at creating, but I can and do sub some items and they have always turned out just fine. The 2nd time I make it though, I forget what I used the first time, so they are never the same!
Karen says
Absolutely perfect in iced coffee!!! Have been trying to recreate Vietnamese coffee and this was it! Thank you, Carolyn, for all you do – you are our family’s go to source for recipe inspiration;all four of our kiddos know where to find your recipes in our kitchen. Your site is bookmarked, I have your cookbooks on my shelf and am waiting anxiously for my pre-order to arrive for this next little gem:) Keto strong!
Carolyn says
So glad to hear it!
Mary Smith says
You talk about recrystallization. Can this be fixed if it happens? If so, how? Thanks!
Carolyn says
Simply re-warming it will do.
Carolyn says
I just made it with Trader Joe’s coconut cream and it turned out great. After 30’ it seemed too thin so I went about 55’ total. It was hard in the end to keep the liquid and fat incorporated but vigorous whisking worked. I added about 1/8 tsp maple extract to give it the extra syrupy sweetness taste I remember of sweetened condensed milk . Thank you so much Carolyn. You’re truly an Inspiration!
Pam Freeland says
Can glucomannon powder be subbed for the xanthan gum?
Cher says
Hey Carolyn. What other recipes do you use this in? Super drlish!
Carolyn says
I JUST posted key lime bars today. Check my homepage…it’s perfect for them.
Ann says
Just curious about why I haven’t seen allulose in your recipes. Wondering if it affects your BG or if it’s just not up to your baking standards for one reason or another. My family finds an aftertaste with both Swerve and Monkfruit. Allulose seems to not have that same aftertaste for us – but I don’t experiment with baking. I just follow recipes! LOVE what you are able to create for us!
Carolyn says
I have some but I have my doubts about it after reading that it can affect the liver. Plus it is by FAR the most expensive sweetener and few of my readers can afford to use it.
Adrian says
Rather than cooking for a length of time I’d rather cook to reduce the desired amount. What is the volume you reduce to?
Carolyn says
It states in the recipe exactly how much it makes.
Adrian says
Actually the recipe doesn’t state outright anywhere that I could see how much it makes. But 2 T times 8 servings equals 1 cup.
However, that’s not how much the cream is reduced to, because you add butter and bochasweet after the reduction step, and I don’t know the effect on the volume of adding bochasweet. I assume adding 2T butter increases the volume by 2T. I would have to add the bochasweet *before* cooking the cream, then cook until I have 7/8 cups, and then add the butter. I don’t see any obvious reason why this change would be a problem, but it’s not how you wrote the recipe.
Cici says
Really, Adrian?
Do your own math and be happy!
Perhaps your question should have been restarted to “ how much should I reduce the cream by?”
Cici says
Restated not restarted!
Adrian says
Cici, my question in fact was how much should I reduce the cream by, so it wouldn’t be a restatement!
Adrian says
I tried cooking the cream down to 5/8 cup which I estimated would be about right to produce a 1 cup yield (based on a rule of thumb that a 1/2 cup of sugar increases volume of a mixture by 1/4 cup—maybe bochassweet is the same.). But by the time I got to 3/4 cup it was starting to brown, so I stopped there and I had a yield of somewhat more than a cup. It’s quite thick, so I can’t imagine needing to add xanthan gum. I suspect that Carolyn reduces it less and has a larger yield.
Shawn Anderson says
So funny, as when I just read this, I didn’t read that it said Restarted, I read it as restated. Great way to refresh the post though. These terms are a little above me, as I can’t create recipes, or should I say I don’t know how and because I have never had the inclination to, that is why I haven’t learned. I love to cook and follow recipes though!
Carolyn says
Thanks!
Allison says
I made a triple batch of this magic potion and it is absolutely freaking incredible! I have made fudge, Viatemeses coffee and the Key lime bars with it. All delish and perfect!
Loti says
I’d be interested in hearing how you made fudge with it. Did it re-crystallize?
Donna says
Should I count the carbs in Bochasweet? I recently purchased some and I was not sure if the carbs count or not. It is not a sugar alcohol, but I cant find any info on Pentose.
Carolyn says
I’d say no…it supposedly doesn’t affect blood sugar. I am still not sure yet, need to test more on myself.
Shawnna says
I made this for the key lime bars. They were amazing. I had a very small amount of this left over so I put it in the fridge. It got very thick and it is almost like a marshmallow creme. Oh my gosh, so very good. I may have to make a batch just to put in the fridge and eat from the jar. Thanks for the amazing recipes!
Pam says
Can I sub glucomannon for the xanthan gum?
Carolyn says
I am honestly not sure, I haven’t tried it.
Gayle S. says
This is the fourth low carb condensed milk recipe I’ve tried, and the previous 3 were a pain to make and really weren’t very good. This one worked out perfectly on my first try! Soooo easy, and soooo good! Thanks so much!!! 🙂
Carolyn says
So glad to hear it!
Stacy says
Oh. My. Gosh. I accidentally overcooked my cream because as usual, I was trying to do too many things at once. It was for only 30 minutes, but it boiled more than it should have and it started to burn just a bit on the bottom. I was so ticked at myself at first, but it was a glorious accident!!!!! I noticed that it smelled divine, like browned butter, and kept going with the recipe. I used erythritol because that’s all I have on hand. At the end, hello caramel/toffee sauce!!!!!! I licked the rubber scraper off……soooooooo freaking good!
Carolyn says
What you really made is dulce de leche! And yes, you can do that with my condensed milk, I’ve done it before too…
Kathy Charest says
Oh man! That sounds amazing! 🙂
Ellie says
Hi Carolyn, thank you for posting this recipe. Can you tell me if it would be ok to use powdered stevia or granulated xylitol? I can’t get Swerve or Boxha Sweet where I live. If so, should I change the quantities? Many thanks
Carolyn says
Xylitol would be best. Stevia will be no good!
Lisa Bell says
I am chuckling a bit, because I love your personality that comes across via your HELPFUL, INSIGHTFUL, PRACTICAL, UNSELFISH gift to those of us that do too love to cook and eat deliciously. Thank you for the inspiration #keto #LCHF #WheresTheBeef !
Sasha says
This might be a silly question, but do you whisk for the entire 30 min, or just every couple minutes? Or just let it cook and leave it alone?
Carolyn says
Every 5 minutes or so is fine.
Tulia says
Thanks for the recipe! Tasted great, though on the initial attempt, vigorously whisking it makes it become a very soft dough-like material, especially if xantham gum is added.
Would be amazing if measurements in grams were added!
Ashley says
Thanks for the recipe!! I feel kind of ditzy but if I use swerve do I use 1/2 cup? Or just stick with the 1/4 cup?
Carolyn says
If you are just using Swerve, use a full 1/2 cup.
Natalie says
I don’t have bocha sweetner, but I do have both Swerve in powder and granulated. Do I just double the Powedered Swerve, or do i use 1/4 granulated and 1/4 powdered
Carolyn says
Double the powdered Swerve.
Melissa Brooks says
You mention swerve twice? So if using that then 1/2 cup?
Carolyn says
The preference is to use Bocha Sweet so it doesn’t recrystallize but if you don’t want to use that, then yes, another 1/4 cup powdered Swerve. So 1/2 cup total.
Beverly K Brumett says
This is life changer! I doubled the Swerve as my husband likes it super sweet. We were using it for a lemon pie so needed the extra sweetness. Thank you so much for this!! Will make Thanksgiving so much easier!
Carolyn says
Glad you liked it!
Robyn says
You are brilliant! Thank you for these amazing recipes! Even if I don’t make them right away, at least I know they are there when I need them. Cheers!
Patsy Harris says
Thanks for the recipe! Could you make lemon icebox pie with the same recipe?
Also, could this be canned and sealed in a jar for later usage or could it be frozen?
Love all your recipes! Has helped me with the keto way of eating!
Tom says
Hi and thank you for the recipe, I plan on making the Key Lime bars for my birthday so I can stay on my diet! But I just want to make sure I am following your recipe correctly.
Am I adding a total of 1/2 powdered Swerve Sweetener? As the recipe has it listed twice on two separate lines.
Thank you again!
1/4 cup Bocha Sweet OR powdered Swerve Sweetener
1/4 cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
Carolyn says
If you are ONLY using Swerve, then yes, it would be 1/2 cup. If you are using the two different sweetener’s, then it’s 1/4 cup each.
Lori says
Oh my goodness! I tried this recipe this weekend and had to come back and comment. This stuff is so delicious, I could just eat it by the spoonful! I made it with xylitol and powdered Swerve and it turned out perfectly. I then used it to make fudge using a bag of Lily’s chocolate chips, a batch of this sweetened condensed milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. IT’S SO GOOD!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I may be trying the magic bars next.
Shelby says
I guess I am the only one confused by the recipe (oops!) as it calls for 1/4 cup Bocha Sweet or Swerve AND 1/4 cup Swerve.
Is it just 1/4 cup or 1/2 cup?
Recipe ingredients:
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup Bocha Sweet OR powdered Swerve Sweetener
1/4 cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
2 tbsp butter
1/4 to 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
Carolyn says
It’s 1/2 cup of sweetener, total. If you can get Bocha Sweet, you do 1/4 cup of that and 1/4 cup Swerve. If you can’t…then you use all Swerve.
wendy h says
I am about to make this recipe to use in your Magic Cookie bars for my daughter’s birthday. I am unclear though about the directions as you have the Swerve listed twice….do I use a 1/4 c or a 1/2 cup?
The recipe reads as follows:
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup Bocha Sweet OR powdered Swerve Sweetener
1/4 cup powdered Swerve Sweetener
2 tbsp butter
1/4 to 1/2 tsp xanthan gum
Thanks so much! Wendy
Carolyn says
1/2 cup TOTAL sweetener. if you can get your hands on Bocha sweet, then 1/4 of that and 1/4 Swerve. If you can’t, then 1/2 cup Swerve.
Mallory says
Does this recrystallize after being heated? I have tried Truvia and Pyure in the past to make it but it always crystallizes upon cooling.
Carolyn says
It won’t recrystallize if you use Bocha Sweet or xylitol, but it will with the sweeteners you have listed.
Kay holbrook says
If I use powered shrive do I do 1/4 cup x2. Or just a 1/4 cup
Carolyn says
1/2 cup.
Jamie Veilleux says
I made 2 batches of this today (pics on instagram)! The first with the Bocha sweet/Swerve powdered mixture, the second with all swerve. After the first batch was finished (it came out PERFECT), I put it in a bowl in my instant pot (with 1/4 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1 1/2 tbs water) and set on manual for 40 minutes…. BEST Dulce De Leche EVER!!! It will be perfect on top of the Keto french vanilla ice cream I made this morning! The second batch (plain) will go into more recipes this week! Another win using your recipes- this was fantastic! Thank you for spending your days in the kitchen being the creative genius you are!!!
Carolyn says
Thanks, Jamie! I saw your IG post. I have a keto alfajores recipe made with the dulce de leche. Probably coming in the new year!
Mary says
Anyone tried freezing this yet? Also, is there a way to reduce the sliminess and still use the xanthum for thickening?
Robert Willis says
I want to make no churn icecream but being a diabetic i am looking for substitutions. How is this in the freezer
Carolyn says
You can see how to use it in no churn ice cream here https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/keto-maple-walnut-ice-cream/
Neddie says
While it occurs naturally in some fruits and fermented foods, most erythritol being added to food and beverages today is typically man-made from GMO cornstarch. So that means ultra-processed food — very far from a natural sweetening agent, an invisible GMO ingredient, and for a lot of people causes gut distress or headaches. I couldn’t figure out where my headaches were coming from until I started using stevia that had erythritol in it. Monkfruit and pure stevia worked just fine in this recipe. I avoid Swerve like the plague now.
Dan says
I substituted 1/8 tsp pure sucralose powder for the swerve. Erythritol gives me a weird chemically feeling in the back of my throat. Of course it came out wonderfully though as pretty much everything does from your site. Thank you so much for sharing.
NICOLE M GOUGHNOUR says
If someone has already asked, please forgive me. Is this a total of 1/2 cup sweetener? “1/4 cup Bocha Sweet OR powdered Swerve Sweetener, 1/4 cup powdered Swerve Sweetener”
thank you
Carolyn says
TOTAL is 1/2 cup, yes. Either all swerve or half Bocha and half Swerve
Carolina Cartagena says
Can you omit the sweeter and make evaporated milk with this recipe?
Carolyn says
Good question. I can’t see why not!