Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk recipe makes a delicious, made from scratch version of sweetened condensed milk that you can use in coffee, baking, ice cream and more!
This homemade sweetened condensed milk is a recipe that I hope you love as much as I do. It isn’t an ingredient that we use a lot in cooking, but when I do, I like to turn to this homemade version. It is perfect for making homemade ice cream, fudge, pies, and so much more!
Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk
What is Sweetened Condensed Milk?
Sweetened condensed milk is a milk that has been heated to remove any water from the milk. This reduces the milk by at least half and thickens the consistency of the milk into a thick liquid.
How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk
This homemade version is made with just four ingredients that you most likely already have on hand.
milk – Use your favorite milk. You can use dairy or dairy-free milk options based on your personal preferences. I have tested and loved using almond, cashew and even oat milk for a dairy-free recipe. The flavor will change based on the milk that you use.
sweetener – Use your favorite sweetener. You can use granulated sugar, honey, maple syrup or any other favorite. I have even tested it with Splenda to make a sugar-free version. The sweetener that you use will change the flavor. For example, if you use maple syrup, it will have maple undertones to it (which is delicious, by the way!).
butter – I use salted butter when I make this recipe but you can use whichever butter you prefer or have on hand. It adds a silkiness and so much richness to the recipe and enhances it in my personal opinion. If you prefer not to use it, you can omit it from the recipe.
vanilla extract – the vanilla extract adds so much depth to the condensed milk.
Can I Use this Recipe in Place of Store-Bought?
Absolutely! I’ve tested the recipe time and again to make sure that it yields just the right amount to use for recipes that call for a can of store-bought.
That way, it removes any guesswork from using this homemade recipe in place of the standard can from the grocery store. It is equal to just a bit over a cup, 1 1/4 cups each time I’ve made it. Once you make your own, I think you’ll be so surprised at how easy it is!
How Long Does it Last?
Once made, store in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to three months. If frozen, just thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then shake vigorously in an airtight container with lid on or pour into a larger container and whisk until smooth and consistent throughout.
Favorite Recipes Using Sweetened Condensed Milk
+ more recipes using sweetened condensed milk
Here’s my Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups (454 g) whole milk, dairy, almond, cashew, oat, etc.
- 3/4 cup (148.5 g) sugar, granulated or cane, honey, or maple syrup
- 4 tablespoons (56 g) salted butter
- 1 teaspoon (4.7 g) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Whisk together milk and sweetener in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisking often, bring to a low simmer. Continue to simmer, whisking often, until milk has reduced by half, about 30 minutes. Once reduced, remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Allow to cool completely and store in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
Has anyone tried to double this recipe or fudfe it around to make equivalent of a 14 oz. can? I need 1 3/4 cups, but this recipe only makes 1 1/4 cups.
Kimberly, the 14 oz. can only contains 10 ounces or 1 1/4 cups of sweetened condensed milk. This is the same amount that this recipe makes.
Im a little bummed because mine didn’t get as thick as I wanted and I cooked for almost 40 minutes. Maybe my measurements were off. I did use maple syrup . Since it’s had the butter added is it ok to put back on the stove and simmer some more?
Shirley, you can put it back on and continue to cook it a little longer. It may take a little longer to cook with the maple syrup. It should have reduced by half before adding the butter for future reference. Hope this helps.
Thank you!! I couldn’t find the canned lactose-free version at the store so I started looking for recipes. I used lactose-free milk and it turned out great. Can’t wait to use it in our family favorite dessert tomorrow.
I’m so glad you could use this recipe, Brenda, to make your lactose free version. Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!
I found it took 30-35 minutes once it got to simmer to reduce to half. thank you! Saved me a trip to the store on Thanksgiving eve!
I’m glad this recipe could save you a trip, Joanne. I love that I can make it at home anytime I need sweetened condensed milk. Happy Thanksgiving!
can you say cut the sugar.down to half and still make a good condensed milk? The I’m asking is I would like to cut back on the sugar.used. I try the replacement sugar but they don’t agree
with me. So if cut back on the sugar, what would be the.out come.
Thank you
Jan, I haven’t tried making this with half the sugar in the recipe so I can’t tell you how it would work.
Can this be canned?
Heidi, I haven’t tried to can this. However, once made, you can store in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to three months. If frozen, just thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then shake vigorously in an airtight container with lid on or pour into a larger container and whisk until smooth and consistent throughout.
This is great! I made it with milk and powdered allulose. Turned out perfectly.
Thanks for the tip, Laura. So glad it worked for you.
Can I use canned evaporated milk and margarine?
Rose, you can use canned evaporated milk. I don’t use margarine so I’m not sure how it will turn out. Margarine usually contains more water than butter.
Does it have to cool completely before I use it in a recipe where it is heated anyway?
Liz, I would cool before using.
can I use it in unchurned ice cream recipe?
You can use this sweetened condensed milk in an unchurned ice cream recipe if you wish. Hope you enjoy!
Could you use whipping cream in this recipe? I know it says milk/sweetened condensed milk/and you give a list of milk alternatives, so I feel silly asking. I just have access to a lot of whipping cream and want to see how many ways I can use it.
I haven’t made this with whipping cream, Shel, but someone commented that she had used heavy cream to make this.
Hey Shel I always use heavy whipping cream and it turns out delicious!!
Thanks, Nicky.