Milk, low fat, sweetened, condensed rewards a little know-how: how to choose it, cook it, store it, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 24 recipes to cook with it.

What is milk, low fat, sweetened, condensed?

Low fat sweetened condensed milk is the reduced-fat version of regular sweetened condensed milk. It is made the same way, by cooking down milk with a lot of sugar until it is thick and pourable, but it starts from low fat or skim milk instead of whole.

The result tastes and behaves almost exactly like the full-fat can. It is just as sweet, since the sugar load is what defines the product, and it is only slightly less rich on the tongue.

You use it exactly the same way and in the same amounts as the standard can, so the canonical sweetened condensed milk page covers the technique.

When the low fat can helps

Reach for it when you want to trim fat without losing the sweetness and set that condensed milk brings. It works best in lighter desserts where the milk does most of the sweetening and binding.

It carries no-bake fillings beautifully, as in this low fat key lime pie, and it sweetens lower-fat frozen desserts like a low fat sweet cream ice cream base.

One thing to watch: with less fat, fudge and caramel made from it can set a touch firmer or grainier, since fat keeps those candies smooth. For brownies, cheesecakes, and pies it is a clean one-to-one swap.

Like every version, it starts from ordinary milk cooked down with sugar.

Quick facts

Where to find milk, low fat, sweetened, condensed: Milk, low fat, sweetened, condensed is usually found in the canned goods section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

In Chinese

牛奶，低脂，甜，凝聚

British (UK) term

Milk, low fat, sweetened, condensed

en français

lait, faible en gras, sucré, condensé

en español

leche, baja en grasas, endulzado, condensa

Recipes using milk, low fat, sweetened, condensed

There are 24 recipes that contain this ingredient.

All 24 recipes