Turn plain milk into sweet, creamy magic — your guide to making homemade Condensed Milk!
Have you ever tasted a rich and creamy dessert and wondered how it got its irresistible texture? Well, in many cases, the secret is probably in a can of sweetened condensed milk. This versatile pantry staple is the glue that gives many delectable desserts, like tres leches and key lime pie, their silky sweetness.
While you could easily find sweetened condensed milk at your grocery store, it’s not all that hard to make a jar of this ingredient at home. In fact, this may be one of the easiest pantry staple recipes — provided you have just a bit of patience.
I get it: Simmering milk, sugar, butter, and baking soda isn’t exactly “exciting,” but you’ll be rewarded for your efforts! Less than an hour on your stovetop will result in homemade sweetened condensed milk that will take your dessert game to the next level.
Trust me, you’ll notice the deeper flavor homemade sweetened condensed milk brings to the table (and into your tummy!). If you’re serious about satisfying your sweet tooth, you’ll want to keep this recipe nearby.
Is Condensed Milk Healthy?
Sweetened condensed milk is a treat rather than a health food. While milk is naturally rich in calcium, the added sugar makes this more of an indulgence to enjoy in moderation, especially if you’re counting calories.
That said, you can tweak the recipe to align better with your dietary preferences. For instance, swap out granulated sugar for an alternative sweetener like stevia, maple syrup, or monk fruit extract. Be aware that these substitutes might alter the flavor or consistency slightly, so experiment with ratios to find the perfect balance for your taste buds.
Can I Make Dairy-Free Condensed Milk?
If you can’t tolerate lactose or are on a dairy-free diet, you can still enjoy a DIY jar of creamy sweetened condensed milk. Simply swap out regular milk for your favorite alternative milk!
Coconut milk is the best non-dairy choice for sweetened condensed milk because it’s already naturally creamy and will give you a similar texture. However, if you’re not nuts about coconuts, you could use other popular options like cashew, almond, or soy milk. The process of making this milk is the same: Just simmer your ingredients on the stovetop, stir, and wait until it cools to transfer to a storage container.
How to make ahead and store
You can put your condensed milk in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 weeks or in the freezer for a few months. To use frozen condensed milk, thaw in the fridge overnight and stir well before using.
Serving Suggestions
Sweetened condensed milk is best known as a star ingredient in sweet desserts, so give it a whirl in classics like key lime pie, dulce de leche, and tres leches. You could also use this sweetened condensed milk in place of the coconut condensed milk in 3 Ingredient Banana Bread, and it would be delicious in this Perfect Banana Pudding as well.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter optional
- 1 pinch of baking soda
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk and granulated sugar.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, gently stirring until the sugar dissolves. Mix in the butter if using.
- Once butter and sugar are dissolved, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer without stirring for about 35 to 40 minutes, or until the mixture has reduced by half and thickened to a syrup-like consistency.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and add baking soda to prevent coagulation and promote thickening. Stir and let cool. Transfer it to an airtight container and store in the fridge.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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