What Is The Difference Between Evaporated And Condensed Milk?

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of the baking aisle wishing you had brought your grandmother's recipe because, dang, did the pie call for evaporated or condensed milk? You don't have to feel like an amateur! We have all been there. The primary difference between evaporated and sweetened condensed milk is the added sugar. Evaporated milk is shelf-stable cow's milk with 60% of its water content removed; sweetened condensed milk is modified similarly to evaporated milk. In both cases, stabilizers and preservatives keep the products safe for shelf life. 

Until the invention of pasteurization in the 1860s, milk proved difficult to keep in the home for a long time. Condensed milk gained popularity in the latter half of the 19th century after it was discovered that boiling milk to a reduced state would kill bacteria and extend shelf life. Today, condensed milk products are typically used in baking and as substitutes for fresh milk. To make both forms, milk is heated to a controlled temperature for some time, killing bacteria and unwanted organisms. Any excess water within the milk is also removed during this process, leaving behind only the concentrated milk product. 

For condensed milk, sugar is added to the evaporated milk, almost a 50-50 ratio, then cooled and canned. Visually, sweetened condensed milk is thick, rich, and off-white, while evaporated milk is texturally similar to skim milk and white.

Sweetened condensed milk is used in desserts all around the world. Dulce de leche, a Latin favorite, is made by boiling condensed milk for hours. Once finished, the thick spread is used in cookies, as a dipping sauce for treats like churros, or slathered onto toast. In some Asian countries, condensed milk is also used for sweetening coffee drinks. You can also use condensed milk in baked goods like cheesecakes, panna cotta, or other desserts like ice cream. 

Evaporated milk is a popular ingredient for recipes like fudge, pie, and bread. It can also be reconstituted by adding water and used as milk. While condensed milk is somewhat limited by its sweetness, evaporated milk can be used in savory or sweet preparations. For example, use evaporated milk to thicken a sauce, make an easy queso dip, or as part of your morning smoothie. Now that you understand their differences, we recommend keeping cans of each in your pantry. They come in handy more often than you might think!