is there any replacement for the condensed milk or is it essential to the recipe?

Thx! Was able to source a can of condensed milk after all! :P

Hi there! From the comments on the recipe, it sounds like one reader had success using coconut milk, although the cookies didn't have the same custard feel. If you don't have any condensed milk at home, you could try making your own? We have a recipe for homemade sweetened condensed milk here: https://food52.com/recipes/28042-homemade-sweetened-condensed-milk.