Understand the difference between evaporated and sweetened condensed milk (2024)

Understand the difference between evaporated and sweetened condensed milk (1)

As the holiday baking gets underway, many recipes will call for evaporated or sweetened condensed milk. You won’t find this milk in the refrigerated section, but rather this shelf-stable milk is typically in the baking aisle. Have you ever thought about how these two milks are made?

Both evaporated and sweetened condensed milk are made by heating fresh milk until about 60 percent of the water content has been removed. Then, it’s hom*ogenized before packaging in cans and going through a heat sterilization process that allows it to be safely stored on the shelves. hom*ogenization is the process of reducing the fat globules to very small particles and distributing it evenly throughout the milk. Most all milks go through this process so that there is not a layer of cream at the top. With so much water content removed, evaporated milk is rich and creamy with a concentrated level of nutrients, particularly calcium and vitamin D. It’s less likely to curdle when heated so it works well in cream soups, macaroni and cheese, and puddings. Use evaporated fat-free milk, when possible, to avoid saturated fats.

Sweetened condensed milk (also known simply as condensed milk) is evaporated milk but with 40 to 45 percent added sugar. 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. The American Heart Association recommends adult women get no more than 25 grams and men no more than 36 grams of added sugar per day. Use condensed milk sparingly.

Source: USDA Food Data Central

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Jenna Smithis a Nutrition and Wellness Educatorwith University of Illinois Extension, serving Livingston, McLean, and Woodford Counties.Smith uses her experience as a registered dietitian nutritionist to deliver impactful information and cutting-edge programs to Livingston, McLean, and WoodfordCounties and beyond.

Understand the difference between evaporated and sweetened condensed milk (2024)

FAQs

Understand the difference between evaporated and sweetened condensed milk? ›

Both are concentrated, shelf-stable milk products that have been heated until at least 60 percent of their water content has evaporated. The main difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk is that evaporated milk is unsweetened while condensed milk is sweetened.

What is the difference between evaporated and sweetened condensed milk? ›

Evaporated milk is milk that has been heated so that about 60% of the water evaporates. It is then canned and can be used as you would half-and-half, since it is extra creamy! Condensed milk is made in a similar way, but sugar is added to it so that about 45% of its content is sugar.

What is the difference between condensed milk and evaporated milk quizlet? ›

Both condensed milk and evaporated milk are forms of concentrated milk in which approximately 60 percent of the water content has been removed, but that is where the similarities end. Sugar: Sweetened condensed milk is about 45 percent sugar, while evaporated milk is unsweetened.

Can sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk be interchanged? ›

Although it may be tempting, because of the added sugar, you should generally avoid substituting sweetened condensed milk in any recipe that calls for evaporated. If you don't have evaporated milk available, it's possible to substitute a cup of light cream, or you can make your own.

Which is healthier condensed milk or evaporated milk? ›

In summary, evaporated milk is unsweetened and has a similar nutritional value to regular milk, while sweetened condensed milk is very sweet and has a higher calorie count due to the added sugar.

Does evaporated milk go bad? ›

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.

Is evaporated milk good or bad for you? ›

Evaporated milk may help you gain weight healthily because of its high concentration of nutrients and lack of added sugar, which is associated with the development of heart disease and type 2 diabetes when consumed excessively ( 17 ).

What is the major difference between evaporated and condensed milk Mcq? ›

Evaporated milk is unsweetened, and sweetened condensed milk is sweetened with added sugar, which acts as a natural preservative.

What milk has half of its water removed? ›

As its name suggests, evaporated milk is a dairy product made by removing about 60% of the water from cow's milk through a slow heating process.

Why sweetened condensed milk Cannot be used interchangeably with evaporated milk in recipes? ›

Sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk cannot be used interchangeably in recipes due to their different properties and flavors. Condensed milk adds sweetness and creaminess to recipes, while evaporated milk provides richness and a creamy texture without added sweetness.

What happens if I use sweetened condensed milk instead of evaporated milk in fudge? ›

Don't Substitute One for the Other

Thus, using condensed milk in a recipe that requires evaporated milk will yield an overly sweet dish.

Does condensed milk go bad? ›

How long can I keep Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk on my pantry shelf? Unopened and stored in a cool, dry area, our milk will last for about two years.

What can I use if I don't have evaporated milk? ›

We have 6 different suggestions for evaporated milk substitutions.
  • Regular Milk (whole, 2% or skim) ...
  • Heavy Cream. ...
  • Half-and-Half. ...
  • Powdered Milk. ...
  • Regular Non-Dairy Milk (almond, oat, etc) ...
  • Coconut Milk.
Feb 28, 2023

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.

What is the purpose of evaporated milk? ›

Evaporated milk starts out as fresh milk and is heated to drive off more than half of the water. Add water and use it as milk or pour it straight out of the can and use it as half-and-half. Creamy, rich and perfect for baking, custards, soups and even ice cream.

What is thick milk called? ›

thick milk is another name for clotted cream. Clotted Cream is the thickened layer that would be at the top of a milk can when farmers opened the cans since cream rises to the top when fresh unpastorized milk is allowed to sit undisturbed for a period of time.

Can I use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk for fudge? ›

Unfortunately, there is no substitute for it in a fudge recipe. While you can use evaporated milk in place of regular milk in many circ*mstances, the same is not true in reverse. Also, be sure you do not confuse evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk, as they are two entirely different products.

Which is better in coffee, evaporated milk or condensed milk? ›

However, condensed milk has much more sugar in it. This is the reason why you get a sweet coffee when you add condensed milk to it. Evaporated milk does not make your coffee this sweet. It is more about neutralizing the coffee bitterness than making it acquire sweet taste.

Can I use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk for caramel? ›

We're after smooth and creamy caramels! Evaporated Milk: this is what makes a soft caramel candy instead of a hard one. Make sure you use evaporated milk and not sweetened condensed milk for this recipe. Kosher Salt: this gets incorporated into the mixture and balances out the sweetness.

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