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    Home » Desserts » Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

    Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

    lainey in the kitchen
    Modified: May 23, 2024 · Published: Oct 22, 2023 by Simply Bakings Kitchen Team · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment
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    Discover the pleasure of making your own sweetened condensed milk at home with this simple and delicious recipe. Enjoy the rich, velvety sweetness of this homemade classic, which is ideal for enhancing your favorite sweets and drinks!

    homemade sweetened milk cooled in a clear  glass bowl with a striped black and white towel underneath and in a jar with a label "sweetened condensed milk"

    What is Sweetened Condensed Milk?

    This homemade sweetened condensed milk recipe is a simple alternative to canned sweetened milk made with just four pantry staple ingredients, such as whole milk, granulated sugar, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract, that allow you to adjust the sweetness to your desire.

    Enhance your culinary creations with this simple, delightful addition, and enjoy the satisfaction of home-cooked goodness. Discover the versatility of our sweetened condensed milk recipe, which adds a delectable touch to a range of delights. Embrace the wonder of homemade sweetness now!

    Health Benefits of Whole Milk:

    • Aids in weight management.
    • Promotes skin and bone health.
    • Good source of essential nutrients.
    • Promotes heart and mental health.
    • It helps with muscle growth and repair.

    Tips and Procedures:

    Cooking

    • Simmer Slowly: To avoid scorching the milk, begin on low to medium heat. Simmer it carefully to allow the water content to gradually evaporate and avoid burning.
    • Use Quality Ingredients: For the best flavor and texture, use high-quality whole milk and real sugar. Quality ingredients can have a big impact on the end result.
    • Stir Frequently: Stir the mixture frequently to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan and to achieve even thickening. This aids in achieving a smooth and creamy texture.
    • Adjust Sugar Levels: Adjust the sweetness to your liking. Start with a recommended amount of sugar and modify as needed during the cooking process.
    • Consistency Check: When the sweetened condensed milk reaches a thick, syrupy consistency, it's done. It will thicken further as it cools, so be careful not to overcook.
    • Experiment with Variations: Feel free to experiment with variations once you've mastered the basic recipe. Make chocolate-flavored sweetened condensed milk, for example, by adding cocoa powder during the cooking process.

    Substitutions

    • Vanilla: Gluten-free vanilla extract
    • Dairy-free: Coconut milk, dairy free unsweetened milk
    • Sweetener: Cane sugar, honey or maple syrup, brown sugar
    • Dairy: Almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk, evaporated milk, etc.

    Storage

    • Cool Gradually: Allow the sweetened condensed milk to cool gradually since it will continue to thicken as it cools. Rapid cooling may result in an unfavorable texture. Allow it to cool to room temperature before placing it in an airtight container or jar.
    • Storage: Keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
    a bowl and a jar of homemade sweetened condensed milk

    How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk:

    Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:

    • whole milk
    • granulated sugar 
    • unsalted butter
    • vanilla extract
    ingredients for sweetened condensed milk recipe

    Pour milk and sugar into a medium saucepan and bring to medium heat. Whisk until the sugar has dissolved.

    Allow the milk to simmer for about 30 minutes; it will reduce by half. Stir frequently so that it doesn’t burn. Once it has reduced by half, remove the heat:

    milk and sugar mixed in a medium saucepan

    Add in butter and vanilla. Return to medium heat, whisking until it’s all combined:

    added butter and vanilla into the saucepan  then whisked until it’s all combined

    Pour into a container and let it come to room temperature, then move it to the fridge or use it right away. If the butter separates while cooling, just stir it back together:

    cooled the homemade sweetened condensed milk into glass containers

    Be sure to shake well before use. Enjoy!

    Frequently Asked Questions:

    Can you add water to evaporated milk to make whole milk?

    Yes, just add 1.5 cans of water to every can of evaporated milk.

    Are evaporated milk and condensed milk interchangeable?

    No. Condensed milk is sweet and thick, but evaporated milk is unsweetened. So replacing a can of evaporated milk with condensed milk will not produce the same results.

    Is homemade condensed milk better?

    Absolutely! Homemade condensed milk is not only less expensive, but it also tastes better since it uses less heat and sugar, allowing the flavor of the milk to stand out. In addition, canned condensed milk may contain preservatives or additives, whereas homemade condensed milk requires only a few ingredients and no preservatives.

    sweetened condensed milk in a jar with a label
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    Sweetened Condensed Milk

    Make your own Sweetened Condensed Milk from scratch! Creamy, adaptable, and simply delicious. Perfect for all of your delicious and sweet creations!
    Prep Time30 minutes mins
    Cook Time1 hour hr
    Total Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 8 oz
    Calories: 142kcal
    Author: Simply Bakings Kitchen Team
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    Equipment

    • Medium Saucepan
    • Whisk or Rubber Spatula
    • Glass Mason Jars or Air tight containers

    Ingredients

    • 1 cups whole milk
    • ¾ cups granulated sugar
    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Pour milk and sugar into a medium saucepan and bring to medium heat.
    • Whisk until the sugar has dissolved.
    • Allow the milk to simmer for about 30 minutes; it will reduce by half.
    • Stir frequently so that it doesn’t burn.
    • Once it has reduced by half, remove the heat.
    • Add in butter and vanilla.
    • Return to medium heat, whisking until it’s all combined.
    • Pour into a container and let it come to room temperature, then move it to the fridge or use it right away.
    • If the butter separates while cooling, just stir it back together.
    • Be sure to shake well before use.
    Leave a Comment
    Serving: 8ozCalories: 142kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 13mgPotassium: 49mgSugar: 20gVitamin A: 224IUCalcium: 39mgIron: 0.01mg

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    I'm Lainey, the driving force behind SimplyBakings.com, where I'm on a mission to redefine Filipino cooking through a plant-based lens.

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