Condensed milk is a form of milk where about 60% of the water content has been removed. Condensed milk, also known as sweetened condensed milk, has had sugar added to it, anywhere between 40-45% of the canned product is sugar. It is super-sweet, and there is not a product which is considered to be “unsweetened” condensed milk, because that is basically evaporated milk.
Condensed Milk is gluten-free. Usually containing just whole milk and sugar, there are no wheat, rye, or barley ingredients in the milk, which would cause gluten intolerance or sensitivities. If you are looking for healthier gluten-free condensed milk options, Nature’s Charm Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk and Let’s Do Organic Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk are the best options.
Ready to learn more about this creamy, rich, and super-sweet product? Let’s dig in!
Contents
Origins of condensed milk
In 1856, Gail Borden, founder of Eagle Brand, produced condensed milk as a way to combat food poisoning and other gastric illnesses. Refrigeration had not yet been invented, and milk could not be kept cold in order to keep it from spoiling. Borden specifically invented condensed milk to be provided to the military during the Civil War, as they needed milk which could be consumed when it is not chilled.
Borden’s invention of condensed milk also contributed to a decrease in the infant mortality rate in North America. It provided milk which would remain safe, without refrigeration, and “wholesome” in order to add to the nutritional needs of infants and children. Because condensed milk has a high calorie and protein content per serving, it helped boost the caloric intake of infants, along with providing minerals like calcium and phosphorus.
How condensed milk is made
Most of the water is removed from cow’s milk, and what is left behind is a very dense liquid. This is then sweetened and canned, creating condensed milk. Condensed milk has a long shelf life, some sources say it can remain unspoiled for a full year after the expiration date on the can.
Is condensed milk dairy free?
Traditional brands of condensed milk are made from either whole or skim milk, (if a reduced fat, or fat-free variety), therefore cannot be considered dairy free. There are alternative brands of condensed milk made from coconut milk. There is even a brand of peanut condensed milk if you are looking for a different type of condensed milk, with added health benefits.
Popular brands of condensed milk
Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
The Eagle Brand of condensed milk has just two ingredients, and it uses real sugars, plus the natural sugars found in milk to create its product.
Ingredients:
- Milk
- Sugar
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 130
- Calories From Fat: 30
- Total Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 22g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sodium: 35mg
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin A: 2%
- Vitamin C: 0%
- Calcium: 10%
- Iron: 0%
Carnation Sweetened Condensed Milk
The Carnation brand of condensed milk, manufactured by the Nestlé Company, is the biggest competitor of Eagle Brand condensed milk in the U.S. Also made with just milk and sugar, it has fewer calories and an additional benefit of 2% of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C.
Ingredients:
- Whole Milk
- Sugar
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 130
- Calories From Fat: 30
- Total Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sugars: 22g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sodium: 45mg
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin A: 2%
- Vitamin C: 2%
- Calcium: 10%
Borden, Magnolia, Sweetened Condensed Milk
This brand of sweetened condensed milk, manufactured by the Borden corporation, is made specifically for the Hispanic community, and is specially formulated to enhance the flavors of recipes of the Hispanic culture.
Ingredients:
- Milk
- Sugar
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 130
- Calories From Fat: 30
- Total Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sugars: 22g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sodium: 35mg
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin A: 2%
- Calcium: 10%
La Lachera Sweetened Condensed Milk
La Lachera is the Nestlé Company’s product made for Latin and American dishes. With a higher fat content, elevated sodium amount, and no vitamins, it does not provide as much nutritional content as its competitors.
Ingredients:
- Milk
- Sugar
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 130
- Calories From Fat: 30
- Total Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sugars: 22g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 45mg
- Protein: 2g
- Calcium: 8%
Alternative brands of condensed milk
If you are looking for a condensed milk which is not made from cow’s milk, has organic ingredients, or is plant-based, there are some alternative brands you can choose from.
Mementa Inc Organic Coconut Condensed Milk
Lower in calories, cholesterol and carbs, the Mementa brand of coconut condensed milk is a gluten-free, vegan and non-dairy alternative to the traditional brand of condensed milk.
Ingredients:
- Organic coconut milk
- Organic brown sugar
- Water
- Organic guar gum
- Organic vanilla flavor
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 100
- Calories From Fat: 30
- Total Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 5.7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Sugars: 22g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sodium: 45mg
- Protein: 2g
- Calcium: 8%
California Farms Organic Sweetened Condensed Milk
The California Farms brand of condensed milk boasts a whole list of values with its product:
- Non-GMO
- Kosher
- Organic
- Gluten-free
- Vegetarian
- No antibiotics or synthetic hormones
Ingredients:
- Organic Milk
- Organic Sugar
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 130
- Calories From Fat: 30
- Total Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sugars: 22g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
- Sodium: 40mg
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin A: 2%
- Calcium: 10%
Nature’s Charm Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk
This brand of condensed milk is lactose free, vegan, and sugar free! That’s a switch! The company uses the chemical compound erythritol, sugar alcohol, as the sweetener. This is naturally occurring and made from corn. It is gluten-free and keto friendly.
Ingredients:
- Coconut milk (coconut cream, filtered water)
- Sweetener (Erythritol)
- Virgin coconut oil
- Mineral (Calcium Carbonate)
- Stabilizer (Carboxymethyl Cellulose)
- Sea Salt
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Sugars: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 35mg
- Protein: <1g
- Calcium: 3.9mg
- Iron: 0.2mg
- Potassium: 42.9mg
Let’s Do Organic Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk
With one of the lowest sugar contents, zero cholesterol, and low carb count, this brand of condensed milk is a healthy alternative to traditional brands. It’s also vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and vegetarian.
Ingredients:
- Organic coconut
- Water
- Organic cane sugar
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 120
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Sugars: 11g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 10mg
- Potassium: 80mg
- Protein: 2g
- Iron: 2%
Jus’ Amazin Condensed Almond Milk Sweetened
This brand is the first of its kind, using almond milk to produce sweetened condensed milk. It is high in protein, vegan, gluten-free, cholesterol free, and more!
Ingredients:
- Almonds
- Organic jaggery
Nutrition information:
- Calories: 619kcal
- Total Fat: 47.5g
- Saturated Fat: 6.9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25.4g
- Sugars: 25.1g
- Dietary fiber: 8.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Make your own homemade sweetened condensed milk
Here is a recipe if you would like to try making a healthier version of condensed milk you can use in dessert recipes. This recipe has been adapted.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk (or try coconut, almond, or cashew milk and see what happens!)
- 1/2 or 2/3 cups unrefined sugar (cane sugar or sucanat are recommended)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla
Directions:
- Mix the sugar and the milk together in a heavy saucepan. Bring it to a low simmer, over medium-low heat, and stir it frequently.
- When the steam begins to lift off the milk, decrease the heat.
- Once the sugar is completely dissolved, lower the heat as much as possible, to reduce the amount of milk in the pot by about half.
- This process can take up to two hours, and you’ll end up with about 1 full cup of condensed milk.
- When you have the proper amount, whisk in the butter and vanilla.
Final Thoughts
Condensed milk, also known as sweetened condensed milk, is a gluten-free food. Many of the traditional brands are high in fat, calories, carbohydrates, and sodium. If you are looking for a healthier version of this versatile cooking ingredient, opt for a coconut milk variety. Although you will still be getting a high content of fat, it is the healthy kind of saturated fat that helps your body to burn fat and provides quick energy for your brain.
Related Questions
Is condensed milk vegan?
Condensed milk is not vegan. Made from an animal-sourced product, cow’s milk, it does not adhere to a vegan lifestyle which does not eat products gleaned from animals. Also, the manufacturing of condensed milk is part of the larger producing dairy farms which have a history of mistreatment of their herds. This practice of cruelty and exploitation goes against the vegan commitment to do no harm to living creatures.
Is condensed milk paleo?
This diet is one which attempts to replicate what our ancestors would have eaten as hunter-gatherers — those items which are readily available for consumption, without the need for processing. Condensed milk cannot be considered paleo, since it is a manufactured ingredient, made by altering the state of its original ingredient — milk.