This very simple sweetened condensed milk recipe is a key ingredient that adds sweet creaminess to so many recipes.
All you need is dried milk, sugar, some hot water, and a little whisking!
Save a trip to the store, and make your own condensed milk with this easy recipe! You’ll never run out, so can whip up a recipe calling for sweetened condensed milk any time.
Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Making your own sweetened condensed milk is a fast, easy, and affordable way to replace the canned version in a pinch.
- Sweetened condensed milk is what gives a classic key lime pie its creamy custard texture and the chewy crisp texture to magic cookie bars.
- Make a batch or two of sweetened condensed milk and use it all week long to add decadent flavor to your morning coffee or as a quick drizzle over pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
Ingredients and Variations
Sugar – Regular white sugar is called for, however superfine white sugar will dissolve faster. Replace a touch of sugar with maple syrup to give the finished recipe a subtle caramel flavor. Swerve and Monk fruit are excellent sugar-free switches, be sure to read the package conversions.
Dry Milk – If you don’t normally drink milk, keep powdered dry milk on hand to use in recipes like mashed potatoes. Whole milk powder will produce a creamier result, but I typically have skim powdered milk on hand and use that for this recipe. Non-dairy milks like soy, oat, almond, coconut, and cashew milk will also work, with soy milk producing the best results.
Variations – Feel free to add a splash of your favorite extracts like vanilla, brandy, or rum. Adding a dash of cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, gingerbread, or apple pie spice will intensify the flavors of your desserts. Swirl in some chocolate syrup to make a decadent dessert sauce!
How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk
Just whisk, rest, and use in all your favorite desserts!
- Whisk ingredients together in a mixing bowl until smooth.
- Allow to rest and thicken about 10 minutes before using.
Ways to Use Sweetened Condensed Milk
There are dozens of recipes that call for condensed milk, but some of our favorites are two-ingredient chocolate or vanilla fudge. Also fun beverages like creamy lemonade and homemade Irish Cream.
Substitute For Sweetened Condensed Milk
This recipe makes about 10 fluid ounces, or 13-14 ounces by weight. It replaces one small can of sweetened condensed milk (the cans are sold by weight). It is the most simple substitute for sweetened condensed milk and works like a charm.
Store bought sweetened condensed milk is made simply of milk and sugar. The water content in the milk is reduced by 60% and mixed with sugar to create a thick and sweet syrup-like consistency. Reducing the milk down is an alternate method to make a homemade version of sweetened condensed milk, but that is not as easy to do as this recipe.
The milk powder used in this homemade recipe is already concentrated, so we do not need to reduce the milk. We use water to rehydrate the milk to the right consistency, so it is already thick.
If you would like a thicker end result, simply whisk in an additional 2 Tablespoons each of sugar and powdered milk.
How to Store Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Keep homemade sweetened condensed milk in a covered container in the refrigerator for 4-6 days.
- For best results, bring sweetened condensed milk to room temperature before using.
- Leftovers can be swirled into coffee, smoothies , or even overnight oats. It can be frozen for future use.
Other Baking Staples
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Sweetened Condensed Milk
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk** together sugar, dry milk, and hot water until sugar and milk have dissolved and no clumps remain, approximately 2½ minutes. It should be smooth.
- Allow to rest and thicken for 10 minutes.
- Use immediately or store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 4-6 days.
Notes
- Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 4-6 days.
- For a thicker sweetened condensed milk, whisk in an additional 2 Tablespoons each of sugar and powdered milk.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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