Condensed Milk Substitutions

Flavor: The flavor is close but not identical. Commercial condensed milk has a slightly caramelized, cooked milk flavor from the long reduction process. Your homemade version will be sweeter and slightly less complex, but in most recipes the difference is masked by other ingredients.

Texture: Evaporated milk mixed with sugar produces a very similar thick, syrupy consistency once the sugar is fully dissolved. The result is slightly thinner than commercial condensed milk, which has been slow-cooked for an incredibly concentrated consistency. For key lime pie and fudge, this works very well.