Low-carb Replacement For Sweetened Condensed Milk

According to the book "Easy Low Carb Living," foods that are high in carbohydrates create a drastic raise in blood sugar. This blood sugar high causes a rapid release of insulin, which pushes the sugar from your blood into your muscle, liver and fat cells, resulting in low blood sugar. Your now low blood sugar will leave you feeling drowsy and hungry. This vicious cycle can lead to weight problems and medical complications. A low-carb lifestyle may help you lose weight and feel better. You can enjoy delicious desserts that are low in sugar and carbs when you learn how to substitute ingredients such as homemade low-carb sweetened condensed milk in place of the standard version.

Standard Sweetened Condensed Milk

Sweetened condensed milk is a mixture of milk and sugar that has been cooked down, or condensed, into a sweet, creamy syrup. The standard version is usually sold in 14-oz. cans. Just a 2-tbsp. serving contains a whopping 22 g of carbohydrates. When carbs are calculated, fiber is subtracted from the total carbs to calculate the net carbs, which all come from sugar. Sweetened condensed milk contains no dietary fiber, so all 22 g are from sugar and counted as net carbs.

Uses

Sweetened condensed milk is a common ingredient in fudge, cookies, cheesecake, caramel sauce, lemon pie, sweet potato pie and can be used as a drink sweetener, as in Vietnamese coffee. Use your low-carb sweetened condensed milk in any recipe that calls for regular sweetened condensed milk.

Coconut Milk Version

The website Sugar Free Low Carb Recipes offers a recipe for a coconut-milk based sweetened condensed milk that contains just 7 g of carbs in the entire recipe. In a medium saucepan, heat 3 cups coconut milk over medium-low heat. Stir in ¼ cup Steviva brand blend, which is a combination of stevia extract and an all-natural grain extract erythritol, and ⅛ tsp. xanthan gum until dissolved. Simmer for about 1 hour, or until the volume reduces to one half, which is 1 1/2 cups. Stir in ⅓ cup low-carb, vanilla-flavored whey protein powder.

Whipping Cream Version

The website Low Carb Luxury has a recipe for a low-carb sweetened condensed milk with a heavy whipping cream base. This recipe yields approximately 1 1/2 pints and contains 40 carbs in the entire recipe, or 4 g per 1/4-cup serving. Add 2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream to a saucepan. Whisk in six egg yolks, then whisk in 1 1/2 cups Splenda brand sweetener. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Let the mixture cool completely before using. If you are not using it immediately, you can store it in the refrigerator in a sealable nonmetal container. Use within 10 days.