How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk and Why You Should Use It – Super Easy Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe

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If you’ve been baking for any amount of time, you’ve likely heard about sweet condensed (or sweetened condensed) milk.

This magical ingredient lends moisture to your cakes and breads and gives a sweet, caramelized taste to any recipe it’s added to. 

While sweet condensed milk isn’t necessarily a difficult ingredient to find, on the off chance that it’s not available or you’re in a last-minute pinch, never fear. 

Today, I’m going to cover substitutions, uses, and basically all your burning questions about sweet condensed milk.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out the end of the post for a recipe to see how to make your own sweetened condensed milk. 

What is sweetened condensed milk?

To start off with the basics, let’s talk about the whats, whens, and wheres of sweetened condensed milk. 

What is sweetened condensed milk used for?

Sweetened condensed milk is used in many baking recipes to give baked goods a more moist texture. It also has a unique caramel flavor.

Some people basically call it liquid candy, meaning it’s incredibly sweet. 

When to use sweetened condensed milk?

Anytime a recipe calls for sweetened condensed milk in a recipe, don’t skip it.

If you need to substitute it, you can make your own at home using evaporated milk (or any other milk) as a base.

If you decide to forego it altogether, keep in mind the end result will not be as sweet or moist as it’s supposed to be.

Where to store sweetened condensed milk?

An unopened, store-bought sweetened condensed milk can last a long time in your pantry–I’m talking years.

But once the can has been opened, or if you decided to make your own at home, you can keep it in a refrigerator for up to two weeks. 

Are Sweetened Condensed Milk and Evaporated Milk the Same?

While they might be shelved near each other, sweetened condensed milk and evaporated are not the same things. 

While sweetened condensed milk is found in many baking recipes, evaporated milk is even more versatile.

It is called for in some baking recipes, but it also can be used in salad dressings and soups.

Yes, I know, your burning questions have less to do with how these two ingredients differ and more about how they can work together or as a substitute. Here’s what you should know:

Can sweetened condensed milk be substituted for evaporated milk? 

In short, yes. But not without sweetening up the evaporated milk.

The texture will be similar, but the deep caramelized flavor won’t be the same.

Can you use different kinds of milk to make sweetened condensed milk? 

Yes. You can use regular dairy milk, almond, oat, or even, coconut milk.

Depending on what type of milk you’re using, you might like to add additional sweeteners besides just sugar, like honey, maple syrup, or vanilla extract. 

Is sweetened condensed milk the same as dulce de leche? 

While both sweetened condensed milk and dulce de leche have similar textures, they are set apart by how deep their caramel flavor is.

This is because dulce de leche (sweet milk) is heated to the point where the combo of milk and sweetener actually begins to caramelize.

And did you know that you can actually make dulce de leche from sweetened condensed milk? 

Super Easy Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe

If you forgot to pick up a can of store-bought sweetened condensed milk or decided to try out a new recipe before stopping at the store, never fear.

I’ve got a super simple sweetened condensed milk recipe you can put together at home with just two ingredients. 

Tools & Equipment to make this super easy sweetened condensed milk recipe

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Medium Saucepan

Whisk or Rubber Spatula

Glass Mason Jars or Airtight containers

Helpful tips to make sweetened condensed milk

• Don’t forget to constantly stir the milk while the sugar dissolves over high heat.
• Make sure to allow the mixture to cool before moving to the containers.

How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk

Bring milk and sugar to a boil, and stir it constantly until the sugar is fully dissolved. After, set it aside to cool.

Pour into a mason jar or airtight container to cool for 30-45 minutes. 

After, use it immediately or store it in the refrigerator (for two weeks) or freezer (up to three months). 

If You Loved This, You Also Might Enjoy…

If you’ve already mastered making your own sweetened condensed milk, give these recipes a try!

Coconut Macaroons with chocolate bottoms  

Millionaire Shortbread Bars

Easy Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Seven Layer Magic Bars / Hello Dolly Bars

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Final Word

If you loved this post, you’ll love the Total Beginner’s Guide to Baking.

In the Total Beginner’s Guide to Baking, I break down all the things that you should know to be a better baker.

After reading through this guide you will know how to accurately measure any ingredient, and how to measure honey without having it stick to the cup! (Soooo annoying.)

There’s also an article with tips on how to read through recipes. It sets you on the right foot before you even start baking anything.

I have a habit of baking AS I read through the recipe. So, I often miss a step, or screw up something that is explained in more detail lower on the page…. (will I ever learn?!!… Looking at my track record, no, probably not!)

But, you, my friend, won’t have to throw out so many ingredients because you have this article to help you through the recipe AND a worksheet to write down the important details before starting.

Anyways, this guide is 22 pages of helpful resources for the beginner AND intermediate baker. I am sure you will find it insanely useful on your baking journey.

Have fun baking!