Does your recipe call for sweetened condensed milk? Are you confused about what this ingredient, if it can be substituted and of course, what is the difference between sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk? We’ve got the answers!
Other than a a pantry staple, what is sweetened condensed milk?
It really isn’t that mysterious. It is sweetened cow’s milk that has been reduced (condensed) so that most of the water has been removed from the milk. Sugar is added which gives it the thick syrupy consistency.
Sweetened Condensed Milk Vs. Evaporated Milk
What is the difference between condensed milk and evaporated milk? Sugar. The big difference is sugar.
Sweetened condensed milk has sugar while evaporated milk is basically the same thing, but without sugar, just milk with reduced water content. Sometimes you’ll see it labeled just condensed milk and this is even more confusing.
Ingredients
It’s almost silly to list them out, because you only need TWO ingredients to make homemade sweetened condensed milk.
- Milk – I prefer to use whole milk. Personally I haven’t tried dairy free, but have heard that it works just as well!
- Sugar – Regular granulated sugar is all you need, but check the section below for sugar substitutes.
How to Use Sweetened Condensed Milk
It is a versatile ingredient and generally used for sweet treats and desserts, but also some savory recipes and sauces. Many no churn (no ice cream maker) recipes use it as well as hack caramel sauce. It can also be basted onto cakes and pastries to keep them moist and simply drizzled on breads.
Pour it into coffee, in fact most flavored coffee creamers are made with sweetened condensed milk. It can also make homemade candy, truffles and the most popular, fudge! I even use it in my volcano sauce for tuna.
And, of course, for Dulce de Leche Sauce, sometimes called Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel Sauce. I use this to make my famous Dulce de Leche Bars and tres leches cake. It’s also the key ingredient to make Snow Ice Cream– yep ice cream made from fresh snow!
Sugar Substitutes
I have not personally tried using sugar substitutes, but from what I have heard, truvia and other sweeteners do work. So do honey, agave, molasses, brown sugar and maple syrup. Depending on which one you use, the flavor will change slightly.
Here is a fabulous recipe for sugar free condensed milk to give a whirl!
How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk
This sweetened condensed milk recipe is quite easy. You only need regular milk, sugar and time. I prefer to use whole milk, but skim or 2% work as well.
- Heat milk and sugar Combine milk and sugar in a medium saucepan over low heat. Stir over low heat until the sugar has dissolved.
- Simmer. Increase heat to medium heat or a very low simmer with just tiny bubbles. When the bubbles start, do not stir otherwise the mixture will break.
- Allow to thicken without stirring. Continue on a low simmer until the milk has cooked to a creamy color, has reduced by half and thickened. It won’t be as thick as canned, the rest of the thickening happens when it cools. If there is any foam on the top, skim it off and discard- DO NOT STIR.
- Add extract. At this point, you can whisk in a small amount of vanilla extract, or any other extract your recipe might benefit from or just keep it plain. It will have a delightful caramelized flavor all on its own.
- Remove from heat. Remove saucepan from heat and transfer to a heat safe bowl or jar. Cool fully at room temperature.
Storage & Freezing
How to Store Condensed Milk
I’ve heard that you can store homemade sweetened condensed milk for up to 6 months in the refrigerator, but I like to use mine within 1 month. The shelf life when canned is much longer, but I am not a canning expert.
Can I Freeze Sweetened Condensed Milk?
You can freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight container or plastic bag. After 3 months it starts to develop ice crystals. Allow to thaw at room temperature for a few hours before using. Do not microwave to defrost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many of the substitutes are quite complicated and you are better off just making your own. Word to the wise, allow it to cool before you try to add it to the desired recipe. The closest substitute would be heavy cream with 2 tablespoons of white sugar.
Most cans are about 14 ounces, which is 1.75 cups. You’ll want to double this recipe to a total of 4 cups of milk to make about the same amount.
I have not tried to use a dairy-free milk substitute personally, but seen others post that they have successfully made sweetened condensed milk using nut milks and other non-dairy milks like almond milk, coconut milk and oat milk.
Recipes the Use Sweetened Condensed Milk
Once you’ve made your homemade condensed milk, here are some favorite recipes to use it with.
Recipe for Sweetened Condensed Milk
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat milk and sugar in a heavy bottom saucepan over low heat.
- Stir over low heat until the sugar has dissolved.
- Increase heat to medium or a very low simmer with just tiny bubbles. When the bubbles start, do not stir otherwise the mixture will break.
- Continue on a low simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the milk has cooked to a creamy color, has reduced by half and thickened. It won’t be as thick as canned, the rest of the thickening happens when it cools. If there is any foam on the top, skim it off and discard- DO NOT STIR. ALso, do not stir any sugar crystals on the wide of the saucepan.
- Remove saucepan from heat and transfer to a heat safe bowl or jar. Cool fully at room temperature.
- Cover and refrigerate until cold. If kept covered, it will last for up to 1 month.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments and ratings.
Nutrition
This recipe saved my fanny when I forgot to bring condensed milk to our cabin so our kids could make fudge, which is a tradition! Worked perfectly, and everyone thought the fudge was creamier and smoother than with the canned variety of condensed milk. We’ve bookmarked this page to use forever more!
I just love this and this was such a pleasing experience!
Oh, cool! You know in all the billions of times I’ve used sweetened condensed milk, it never once occurred to me that I might be able to make it myself.
Never realized how east this was to make at home until we realized we did not have any on hand and were in the middle of making a recipe. This recipe saved the day and honestly tasted a lot better than canned sweetened condensed milk.
So helpful to be able to make my own! I had a recipe calling for sweetened condensed milk, but didn’t realize we were out. Thank you for this!
Used this to make fudge and it was perfect!
I lived in Argentina,and you cant compare them,dulce de leche have a different flavor,specially when i boil the condensed can for some hours not less than 2 hours,i dont cover the the pot ,i even pour some more hot water ,turn the can and watch it,i let it cool down,when this happens to the fridge,till late in the night or next mourning. It will be more thicker and totally diferent.And the sell sell already in cans in the states,and love the one i bought with my grandma in Argentina made by Serenisima.
This is such a great recipe, I had no idea it was so easy to make at home! I love being able to make pantry staples and not have to keep cans on hand or make a store run.