What is the difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk

Most of us have seen recipes that call for either canned condensed or evaporated milk before, but have you ever gotten the two confused or wondered what the difference between them is? If so, you're not alone! Here's the difference between evaporated milk vs. condensed milk.

Evaporated milk and condensed milk are both shelf-stable canned milks that are easily found at most grocery stores. The main difference is that condensed milk is very sweet, and evaporated milk is unsweetened. So, if you confused the two in a recipe you'll get a big surprise when, say, your macaroni and cheese turns out super sweet (yuck!) because you used condensed milk instead of evaporated milk, or your sweet custard pie suddenly has no sweetness because you mistakenly used evaporated milk instead of condensed milk.

Ree Dummond has some deliciously sweet recipes that contain condensed milk, so grab a can and try her easy peppermint fudge or homemade dulce de leche this weekend! Condensed milk is also a key ingredient in Vietnamese coffee and classic key lime pie.

If you're looking for recipes to used your evaporated milk in, try this super easy Instant Pot mac and cheese or Crock-Pot mac and cheese, they're sure to be a huge hit with any mac and cheese lovers! Plus, Ree's delicious tres leches cake uses both condensed milk and evaporated milk!

Can you use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk?

No! Condensed milk is very thick and sweet, so if you just use a can of evaporated milk in its place your recipe will not taste the same. The best substitute for condensed milk is heavy cream plus some sugar, depending on how much condensed milk your recipe calls for.

What is thicker: evaporated milk or condensed milk?

Condensed milk is much thicker than evaporated milk, since it contains less water and much more sugar than evaporated milk. A can of evaporated milk has about the same consistency as half-and-half.

Does evaporated milk taste the same as condensed milk?

No, evaporated milk does not taste the same as 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. Because of this, condensed milk is very sweet and thick, while evaporated milk is unsweetened.

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How are sweetened condensed milk vs evaporated milk different and can they be used interchangeably in recipes? We discuss the answers to these questions and more in this article on these two very common pantry staples! Take a look at these facts about sweetened condensed milk vs evaporated milk so you can make an informed decision on which to use!

Milk has been around for as long as humans have had access to cows. As with anything that has been around for a while, things can shift and change. Yes, even with something as simple as milk.

Over the years milk has gone through many changes. It has been modified to create varying fat content. It has gone dairy-free and has been made from nuts, seeds, and plants. In the early days, it was pasteurized to make it last longer.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk vs Evaporated Milk: What's The Difference?
• What is Sweetened Condensed Milk?
• How is Sweetened Condensed Milk Used?
• What is Evaporated Milk?
• How is Evaporated Milk Used?
• What are the Differences between Sweetened Condensed Milk & Evaporated Milk?
• Can you Substitute Sweetened Condensed Milk for Evaporated Milk?

Two variations of milk that were created out of a need for milk that wouldn’t spoil are sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. Initially, you may think these are also dairy-free. However, despite being sold in the pantry aisle these two kinds of milk do come from cows.

Keep reading to find out more about these two dairy products that are perfect pantry staples.

What is Sweetened Condensed Milk?

Sweetened condensed milk is made from cow’s milk that has been condensed. The process of condensing the milk is done by heating the milk. The milk is heated until about 60 percent of the water has evaporated. This process is also one way to pasteurize the milk.  

Once the water has evaporated the milk becomes a thick and creamy consistency. The flavor is also richer compared to regular whole milk. This is a result of the natural sugars in the milk coming out when heated.

In addition to the natural sugars in the milk, more sugar is added. Condensing the milk and adding sugar is where the name comes from.

A benefit of sweetened condensed milk is that it does not need to be refrigerated. This is a result of both the pasteurization process and the addition of sugar (sugar prevents the growth of bacteria).

How is Sweetened Condensed Milk Used?

Sweetened condensed milk is the rich creamy ingredient that is key to many desserts. Many traditional Mexican desserts use sweetened condensed milk, like a tasty Tres Leches cake! It is also the key ingredient in many classic treats like Hello Dollies.

 In addition to desserts, sweetened condensed milk is used as the base in candies. It is used to make caramels, fudge, and many other candies.

While you won’t likely reach for a cold glass of sweetened condensed milk, it is used in making sweet drinks. Try a traditional Thai Iced Tea or Thai Coffee to taste how delicious this creamy milk is when added to cold beverages!

What is Evaporated Milk?

Evaporated milk is literally milk that has been evaporated. It goes through essentially the same step that sweetened condensed milk goes through in the beginning.

Milk is heated until the water evaporates (evaporated milk can be made from whole milk or skim milk). Like sweetened condensed milk, about 60 percent of the water is removed through evaporation. This process brings out the natural sugars in the milk.

Therefore, evaporated milk is slightly sweeter than regular milk. However, it is not as sweet as sweetened condensed milk because no additional sugar is added. Without the addition of sugar, evaporated milk is also not as thick as sweetened condensed milk.

Since evaporated milk has been pasteurized it does not need to be refrigerated. Without the addition of sugar to help prevent the additional growth of bacteria though, it needs to be heated a second time. The second round of heating occurs once the evaporated milk has been canned. The can is heated to prevent any bacteria from growing.

This shelf staple is a great choice for food storage. With a shelf life of about 15 months, it is great to keep in the pantry. Then you have it on hand for special recipes and as a substitute for regular milk.

How is Evaporated Milk Used?

Evaporated milk is more versatile than sweetened condensed milk. This is because it is not as sweet. Therefore, it can be used in both savory and sweet recipes. As mentioned above, it can even be used to replace regular milk.

One of my favorite savory dishes to use evaporated milk in is my crockpot mac and cheese! While most mac and cheese recipes call for regular whole milk, the use of evaporated milk takes it to the next level. It adds an extra level of richness in both flavor and texture.

In addition to savory dishes, evaporated milk is also used in many sweet treats. You can’t make a perfect pumpkin pie without this key ingredient.

Evaporated milk is even used in making some types of bread. It adds an added level of moisture and rich flavor to sweet bread or similar breakfast dishes.

What are the Differences between Sweetened Condensed Milk & Evaporated Milk?

As you can see from above there are many similarities between sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk. You can also see some differences. Here is a quick comparison for reference when you are cooking.

Sweetened Condensed Milk

• Made from whole milk
• Heated until about 60% of the water in the milk has evaporated
• Extra sugar added (about 45 percent of the total volume of the milk)
• Thick creamy consistency
• Shelf life of over a year
• Used to make desserts, candies, and sweet drinks

Evaporated Milk

• Can be made from whole milk or skim milk
• Heated until about 60% of the water in the milk has evaporated
• NO added sugar
• Light creamy consistency
• Shelf life of over a year
• Used to make savory sauces, desserts, and sweet bread
• Can be used as a substitute for regular milk

Can you Substitute Sweetened Condensed Milk for Evaporated Milk?

I’ve mentioned that evaporated milk can be used as a substitute for regular milk. Can it be used as a substitute for sweetened condensed milk though? What about vice versa?

Due to the added sugar in sweetened condensed milk, it is more difficult to use it as a substitute. It will not work well for savory dishes. It is also quite a bit thicker which can shift the consistency of a recipe. However, you can use sweetened condensed milk as a substitute for evaporated milk in some desserts.

Even though evaporated milk is not as sweet as sweetened condensed milk it is easy to change that. The addition of some sugar helps create a good substitute. Therefore, evaporated milk can be used in place of sweetened condensed milk in most recipes.

Use these two posts to learn more about the best substitutes for these two types of milk. There are even some non-dairy substitute suggestions!

Best Sweetened Condensed Milk Substitutes

Best Evaporated Milk Substitutes

Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

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