Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth it to make your own condensed milk? ›

Homemade Is Better

Homemade condensed milk is not only cheaper, but it tastes more delicious, as making it requires less heat and sugar, allowing the flavor of the milk to come through. Also, canned condensed milk can contain preservatives or additives, while homemade condensed milk only takes two ingredients to make.

Because sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk are very similar, evaporated milk can serve as a substitute for condensed milk.

Made with just two ingredients, fresh whole milk and natural sugar, CARNATION Condensed Milk makes it quick and easy to create delicious sweet treats from creamy cheesecakes to millionaires' shortbread.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Homemade sweetened condensed milk can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month.

Sweetened condensed milk is high in calories and unsuitable for people with cow's milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance. Its sweet flavor may be off-putting for some and doesn't typically serve as a good substitute for regular milk in recipes.

Because condensed milk is more concentrated than the same volume of regular milk, it contains more lactose. Sweetened condensed milk includes a lot of calories, but it also has a lot of saturated fat, which is dangerous for people with diabetes and heart issues.

Making coconut condensed milk is very simple: Pour one can of full-fat coconut into a saucepan. Add ⅓ cup of coconut sugar, cane sugar, or maple syrup. Simmer over low heat for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure it doesn't bubble over.

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.

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. Mix together 1 cup of heavy cream with about ¼ cup of sugar for the perfect substitute.

Both are concentrated, shelf-stable milk products that have been heated until at least 60 percent of their water content has evaporated. The main difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk is that evaporated milk is unsweetened while condensed milk is sweetened.

Is sweetened condensed milk just milk and sugar? ›

More About Condensed Milk

This shelf-stable product is a form of concentrated milk in which about 60 percent of the water content has been removed, after which sugar is added before canning. Condensed milk contains 40 to 45 percent sugar.

These are caused by drops of flux which are sometimes forced through so that a small amount of the material gets into the milk, producing a dis- coloration and a lump of curd.

Condensed Milk Substitutes

If you don't have sweetened condensed milk, you can make your own using evaporated milk and sugar, or you can bring 3/4 cup of white sugar, 1/2 cup of water, and 1 1/8 cups of dry powdered milk to a boil and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 20 minutes.

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.

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.

If you find that your condensed milk hasn't thickened, that means that the pan was removed from the heat too early. This can be corrected by returning your mixture to a pan and carefully continuing the heating process.

Can I drink sweetened condensed milk? It is a ready-to-use product so it may be consumed without any other preparation. You can add it to everyday items like in your coffee, on toast with cinnamon, on fruit or yogurt, and in any way you see fit.

Both white sugar and condensed milk are high in calories, carbohydrates and sugar. Condensed milk has more thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B6, folate and Vitamin B12. Condensed milk has signficantly more Vitamin A than white sugar. Condensed milk has signficantly more protein than white sugar.