Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe
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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
I halved this, used less butter, and used 2% Milk. It came out perfectly! “Perfectly” depends on your taste and how much it resembles your favorite brand imho. Word to the wise, keep your eye on your pot please! 💕😂 A lil’ bubblin’ over may or may not happen!
Tonia, thanks for telling us you made this. Make sure you keep the temp at medium-low heat and not allow the milk to come to a boil.
Can you use evaporated milk?
Jamie, I have not made this with evaporated milk but you should just replace the amount of milk in the recipe with the same amount of evaporated milk. Others have commented that they used evaporated milk with great results.
I tried to make but it didn’t work out. I used 2 cups of whole milk and 3/4c of honey…it starts to clump up in curds? what did I do wrong?
Rachel, when the milk and honey gets too hot, it will cause it to clump like you are describing. You can still save the sweetened condensed milk you made by placing it in a blender or food processor and blending until smooth.
Hi – This came out thinner than I would have expected. I used Lactaid whole milk and sugar. I reduced to the correct volume, as it measured about 12 oz, like the can would contain. I did not put it in fridge after making, as I used it (after cooling) in a recipe for key lime pie. Would fridge time have helped? Or, do you think I should have reduced further?
Joan, the canned sweetened condensed milk actually holds 10 ounces or 1 1/4 cups. Your sweetened condensed milk should have reduced more. Next time, I would cook it longer until it reduces to that level. Also, make sure it has cooled thoroughly before using in a pie.
Where I shop , a can holds 14 ounces 🤷♀️
Peewee, the 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk only holds 10 ounces when you pour it out and measure it.
What if I use 2% milk?
Jennifer, I haven’t made it with 2% milk but others have commented that they have. It does take longer to reduce.
Thanks for this recipe. Where I live, all of the sweetened condensed milk (and evaporated milk) Is mostly palm oil, which doesn’t work well in recipes. Is it possible to can this to make it shelf stable, either with a water bath or pressure cooker?
Marshall, 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.
I have made this before,then lost my recipe, so I had to replace it.
thank you I love the sweetened condensed milk.
I’m glad you love this recipe, Lori.
I just made this with oat milk and syrup and it doesnt take anything like sweetened condensed – will the flavor change as it cools and thickens or did I do something wrong?? Thank you!!!
Carie, you didn’t do anything wrong. As I state in the post for this recipe, the flavor of the sweetened condensed milk will change based upon the type of milk and sweetener you use.
Hello, I just made my condensed milk with homemade oat milk and noticed that there is top and bottom separation. Do I just shake this together or is there a need to discard any of the separation?
Whitney, oat milk has a higher protein content than cow’s milk and can cause the milk to separate when heated and then cooled. I would use an immersion blender or regular blender to mix the sweetened condensed milk together thoroughly before using. I hope this helps.
can I use this for baking, to bake magic bars?
Monsterra, you can use this sweetened condensed milk just like you would canned sweetened condensed milk in any recipe. I hope you enjoy!
Could I double the recipe with the same results? I’d like to save time and make more at once then freeze for later use.
Loreena, you can double the recipe. It just takes longer for it to simmer and reduce. Hope you enjoy!
Can you freeze some to make it last longer?
Molly, you can freeze the sweetened condensed milk 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.