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    The Butter Half / Recipe Index / Sauces and Dressings / Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

    Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

    By Madi • Published: Aug 11, 2022 • Modified: Nov 7, 2022 • Leave a Comment • This post may contain affiliate links.

    JUMP TO RECIPE PRINT

    This homemade sweetened condensed milk recipe is made of only 2 ingredients - and I hate to talk in absolutes but I can pretty much guarantee you currently have these ingredients in your fridge and pantry. I love to make sweetened condensed milk and put it in my coffee, drizzle on top of my favorite fruit, or use it as a baking ingredient. 

    Creating recipes that are versatile and can save you a trip to the grocery store is one of my favorite things. I hope you enjoy this homemade sweetened condensed milk recipe as much as I do!

    What Is Condensed Milk?

    Condensed milk is milk that has had the water removed from it and sugar has been added. Condensed milk is rich, sweet, and creamy. It’s perfect to use in drinks, baked goods, and sweets. 

    Recipe Ingredients

    2 cups whole milk 

    ⅔ cup granulated sugar

    Step by Step Instructions

    Step 1: Add the milk and sugar into a medium-sized pot over medium-low heat. Stir the milk until the sugar dissolves. Make sure that the milk is on a low enough heat that it does not simmer before the sugar dissolves (bringing the milk to a simmer too fast could cause the sugar to crystallize). 

    pot with recipe ingredients ready to boil with a light colored background

    Step 2: Once the sugar is dissolved, bring the milk to a low simmer and allow it to simmer, uncovered, for about 30-40 minutes. Do not stir the milk at all during this time.

    Step 3: Once the milk has reduced by half and appears to change to a cream color, your condensed milk is ready. Use a spoon to skim any foam or bubbles from the top layer of the condensed milk.

    medium sized pot with whole milk and sugar combined and golden brown with a light colored background

    Step 4: Pour your condensed milk through a fine-mesh strainer to catch any brown bits that might have formed.

    Step 5: Set the condensed milk aside for a few hours until it cools and thickens. You can then store it in the fridge for up to a week.

    sweetened condensed milk in a glass with a light colored background

    Ways To Use It

    Sweetened condensed milk can really be used for anything. Put it in your favorite soda, hot chocolate, coffee, in any baked good recipe, to top chocolate cake or brownies, or on fruit. 

    Expert Tips & Tricks

    • When using a spoon to skim the top of the milk, dip the spoon in a small bowl of water in between rounds to keep the residue from sticking to the spoon. 
    • Tips for identifying if your sweetened condensed milk is ready: it is a cream color instead of white, it is a bit thicker than milk (but not too thick yet, it will thicken as it cools), and it has reduced in half. 
    • If you see a lot of brown bits floating in your milk, your heat is too high. Try not to allow any brown bits to form (but if they start to, don’t worry too much, as you can just strain them out!). 
    • You can also add a pinch of salt or ½ teaspoon of vanilla if you’d like. 
    • This recipe calls for whole milk but you can use coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, or whatever milk you prefer.

    sweetened condensed milk in a glass with a light colored background

    How To Make Sweetened Condensed Milk

    By: Abbey Rodriguez
    PRINT PIN RECIPE
    This homemade sweetened condensed milk recipe is made of only 2 ingredients - and I hate to talk in absolutes but I can pretty much guarantee you currently have these ingredients in your fridge and pantry. I love to make sweetened condensed milk and put it in my coffee, drizzle on top of my favorite fruit, or use it as a baking ingredient.
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 35 minutes
    Servings: 1 cup
    Calories: 806kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups whole milk
    • ⅔ cup granulated sugar

    Instructions

    • Add the milk and sugar into a medium-sized pot over medium-low heat. Stir the milk until the sugar dissolves. Make sure that the milk is on a low enough heat that it does not simmer before the sugar dissolves (bringing the milk to a simmer too fast could cause the sugar to crystallize).
    • Once the sugar is dissolved, bring the milk to a low simmer and allow it to simmer, uncovered, for about 30-40 minutes. Do not stir the milk at all during this time.
    • Once the milk has reduced by half and appears to change to a cream color, your condensed milk is ready. Use a spoon to skim any foam or bubbles from the top layer of the condensed milk.
    • Pour your condensed milk through a fine-mesh strainer to catch any brown bits that might have formed.
    • Set the condensed milk aside for a few hours until it cools and thickens. You can then store it in the fridge for up to a week.

    Notes

    • When using a spoon to skim the top of the milk, dip the spoon in a small bowl of water in between rounds to keep the residue from sticking to the spoon. 
    • Tips for identifying if your sweetened condensed milk is ready: it is a cream color instead of white, it is a bit thicker than milk (but not too thick yet, it will thicken as it cools), and it has reduced in half. 
    • If you see a lot of brown bits floating in your milk, your heat is too high. Try not to allow any brown bits to form (but if they start to, don’t worry too much, as you can just strain them out!). 
    • You can also add a pinch of salt or ½ teaspoon of vanilla if you’d like. 
    • This recipe calls for whole milk but you can use coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, or whatever milk you prefer.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 806kcal | Carbohydrates: 156g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 187mg | Potassium: 735mg | Sugar: 157g | Vitamin A: 791IU | Calcium: 602mg | Iron: 0.1mg

    Want more sweet recipes?

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    Hi, I'm Abbey! Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Herbalist | I healed my body using holistic nutrition and herbs. And I believe you can, too. Here you will find nourishing recipes and wellness tips for the family, as well as my herbal cookbook, Root & Nourish. Because you can achieve your ultimate wellness goals using plants and whole foods.

    More about me →

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