Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (2024)

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk recipe makes a delicious, made from scratch version of sweetened condensed milk that you can use in coffee, baking, ice cream and more!

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (1)

This homemade sweetened condensed milk is a recipe that I hope you love as much as I do. It isn’t an ingredient that we use a lot in cooking, but when I do, I like to turn to this homemade version. It is perfect for making homemade ice cream, fudge, pies, and so much more!

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (2)

What is Sweetened Condensed Milk?

Sweetened condensed milk is a milk that has been heated to remove any water from the milk. This reduces the milk by at least half and thickens the consistency of the milk into a thick liquid.

How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk

This homemade version is made with just four ingredients that you most likely already have on hand.

milk – Use your favorite milk. You can use dairy or dairy-free milk options based on your personal preferences. I have tested and loved using almond, cashew and even oat milk for a dairy-free recipe. The flavor will change based on the milk that you use.

sweetener – Use your favorite sweetener. You can use granulated sugar, honey, maple syrup or any other favorite. I have even tested it with Splenda to make a sugar-free version. The sweetener that you use will change the flavor. For example, if you use maple syrup, it will have maple undertones to it (which is delicious, by the way!).

butter – I use salted butter when I make this recipe but you can use whichever butter you prefer or have on hand. It adds a silkiness and so much richness to the recipe and enhances it in my personal opinion. If you prefer not to use it, you can omit it from the recipe.

vanilla extract – the vanilla extract adds so much depth to the condensed milk.

Can I Use this Recipe in Place of Store-Bought?

Absolutely! I’ve tested the recipe time and again to make sure that it yields just the right amount to use for recipes that call for a can of store-bought.

That way, it removes any guesswork from using this homemade recipe in place of the standard can from the grocery store. It is equal to just a bit over a cup, 1 1/4 cups each time I’ve made it.Once you make your own, I think you’ll be so surprised at how easy it is!

How Long Does it Last?

Once made, store in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to three months. If frozen, just thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then shake vigorously in an airtight container with lid on or pour into a larger container and whisk until smooth and consistent throughout.

Favorite Recipes Using Sweetened Condensed Milk

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Easy Coconut Macaroons Recipe

Key Lime Pie Recipe

Easy Fudge Recipe

+ more recipes using sweetened condensed milk

Here’s my Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (3)

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Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe

Robyn Stone

4.96 from 66 votes

This Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk recipe makes a delicious, made from scratch version of sweetened condensed milk that you can use in coffee, baking, ice cream and more!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 10 ounces

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (454 g) whole milk, dairy, almond, cashew, oat, etc.
  • 3/4 cup (148.5 g) sugar, granulated or cane, honey, or maple syrup
  • 4 tablespoons (56 g) salted butter
  • 1 teaspoon (4.7 g) vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Whisk together milk and sweetener in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisking often, bring to a low simmer. Continue to simmer, whisking often, until milk has reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Once reduced, remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Allow to cool completely and store in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

Makes 1 1/4 cups.

Metric conversions and nutrition calculations use whole dairy milk and granulated sugar.

To make sugar-free: Use your favorite heat-safe sugar substitute in the appropriate amounts for the recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ounce | Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3.4g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (4)

Categorized as:All Recipes, Cooking, Dessert Recipes, Egg-Free Recipes, Essentials, Gluten-Free Recipes, Grain-Free Recipes, how to, Kitchen Tips, Recipes, Simple Recipes

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Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you make your own sweetened condensed milk? ›

How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk. The ingredients are simple: 32 ounces milk, seven ounces sugar, and six ounces heavy cream, plus a pinch of salt and whatever aromatics you choose.

What is a good substitute for sweetened condensed milk? ›

If you run out of sweetened condensed milk, simply substitute the same amount of evaporated milk for a one-to-one alternative. The consistency in the dish will be near the same, but the flavor will not taste as sweet. You can add sugar to the evaporated milk if you prefer to up the sweetness.

How much sugar to add to evaporated milk to make condensed milk? ›

Substitutions. While we don't recommend substituting condensed milk for evaporated milk or vice versa, you can make your own condensed milk when you're in a pinch. Simply heat together 1½ cups of sugar and one can of evaporated milk until the sugar has fully dissolved.

How long does homemade condensed milk last? ›

Store: Place cooled condensed milk in a container with a tight-fitting lid and label with the date it was made. It will last for 1 month in the refrigerator.

Why is condensed milk not advisable? ›

Evaporated milk has added sugar and carbohydrates which are very high, making sweetened condensed milk not healthy for nutritional intake for babies and children, Ali explained.

Is sweetened condensed milk just milk and sugar? ›

Sweetened condensed milk is made by removing most of the water from cow's milk. It's sweeter and higher in calories than evaporated milk, as sugar is added as a preservative. It can add flavor to desserts, coffee and certain stews but is unsuitable for people with milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance.

What are the ingredients of condensed milk? ›

Pure and simple aren't ingredients, but that's what makes our milk special. Our signature Sweetened Condensed Milk is only made from milk and sugar.

Can I use heavy whipping cream instead of sweetened condensed milk? ›

Heavy whipping cream has a similarly thick texture to sweetened condensed milk, making it a great option. However, since it is naturally unsweetened, you'll need to add a bit of sugar for it to be an even match.

What's the difference between condensed milk and sweetened condensed milk? ›

Condensed milk is evaporated milk that typically has sweetener added, so much so that the terms 'condensed milk' and 'sweetened condensed milk' are used interchangeably. Sugar is added before canning; condensed milk is very sweet and contains about 40 to 45 percent sugar.

What happens if you whip sweetened condensed milk? ›

Can condensed milk be whipped like cream? Yes, condensed milk can be whipped to create a creamy, fluffy texture similar to whipped cream. This makes it a great alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or looking for a dairy-free option.

Why is my homemade condensed milk not thick? ›

If your condensed milk doesn't thicken after a couple of hours, it means you removed the pan from the heat early. You can pour the mixture into a small pan and carefully continue to reduce the mixture.

What if my sweetened condensed milk is brown? ›

Can the color of the sweetened condensed milk vary? Yes, it should have an off-white color. However, as the product ages it may darken in color and thicken. As long as the Best If Used By date is still current, the product can still be used.

What is the raw agricultural ingredient used to make sweetened condensed milk? ›

Sweetened condensed milk (SCM) is a dairy product obtained by evaporating some water from skim milk or whole milk with adding sugar.

How do you convert condensed milk? ›

On the other hand, condensed milk is made by removing water from regular milk and adding sugar. To get whole milk, you may need to dilute the condensed milk with an equal amount of water. This will reduce the sweetness and thickness of the condensed milk and bring it closer to the consistency of whole milk.

Why is my homemade sweetened condensed milk not thickening? ›

If your condensed milk doesn't thicken after a couple of hours, it means you removed the pan from the heat early. You can pour the mixture into a small pan and carefully continue to reduce the mixture.

References

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