Homemade sweetened condensed milk is made with only 4 simple ingredients in just a few minutes. It is so quick and easy to make this homemade version of a pantry staple.
It wasn’t until I was in the middle of making a recipe and I realized I lacked an actual can of sweetened condensed milk that I found out you could just as easily make it at home. With just 4 simple pantry staples I was able to make a batch of this sweetened condensed milk substitute and not notice a difference between the homemade and the real thing. My recipe turned out perfect and I didn’t have to put my recipe on hold to pack up a car full of kids! Of course it is convenient to use a can if you have one, but it’s nice to know that you can make it easily from scratch if needed!
What is sweetened condensed milk?
Sweetened condensed milk is an ingredient often seen in sweet recipes like fudge, tres leches cakes, pumpkin pies, and others. It’s a thick and creamy milk product often purchased in the baking aisle next to the evaporated milk. It adds both moisture and sweetness and is needed in many different recipes. It’s great to have a few cans in the pantry, but also helpful to know that you can make it easily from scratch if necessary. All you need is powdered milk, sugar, water and butter.
Ingredients in Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk
Powdered milk: You will need a cup of instant non-fat dry milk powder for the base of this recipe.
Sugar: 2/3 cup of granulated sugar will add the necessary sweetness to the milk.
Water: You will need 1/3 cup of boiling hot water to dissolve the sugar and bring the mixture together.
Butter: Just 3 tablespoons of butter will add flavor and creaminess to the sweetened condensed milk.
How to Make Condensed Milk Quickly
In a large mixing bowl, blend together all of the ingredients with an electric mixer until smooth.
This recipe makes the equivalent of a 14 oz can.
Use immediately in any recipe (once cooled) or keep stored in a covered container in the fridge until ready to use.
HOMEMADE SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK
Ingredients
- 1 cup instant powdered milk
- ⅔ cup sugar
- ⅓ cup boiling water
- 3 Tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients with a mixer until smooth.
- Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Notes
Nutrition
Are condensed milk and evaporated milk the same?
No. While both are milk with some water removed, evaporated milk is milk without the sweetener added. Don’t get the two mixed up! Evaporated milk can be used in place of regular milk in a lot of recipes, but that doesn’t usually work with sweetened condensed milk. For example, my Skinny Alfredo Sauce uses evaporated milk, but would not do well with condensed milk at all!
Is condensed milk gluten free?
This recipe is naturally gluten free but you do have to be aware of the ingredients in the milk powder you are using. Not all dried milk powders are created equal and some may contain gluten as an added ingredient. If you’re avoiding gluten due to an allergy make sure to read the ingredients label of your powdered milk before beginning.
How long is homemade sweetened condensed milk good for?
The condensed milk can be used immediately in a recipe once it has cooled, but it can also be stored in the refrigerator for later use. As long as the sweetened condensed milk is in an airtight container, it should be good in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Can condensed milk be frozen?
You can freeze condensed milk in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Simply thaw and then mix well before use. The contents may separate a little as it thaws so mixing or shaking it up well will help to redistribute the mixture.
Looking for some recipes to use homemade condensed milk with? Check out these fun suggestions!
- Salted Nut Roll Bars
- 7 Layer Magic Cookie Bars
- Glazed Strawberry Bundt Cake
- Boston Cream Pie Poke Cake
- Chocolate Chip Coconut Pie
- Candy Cane Fudge
- Pumpkin Poke Cake
- Lemon Icebox Pie
- Peanut Butter Fudge Cups
- Pumpkin Spice Caramels
- S’mores Fudge
- Caramel Popcorn for a Crowd
- Key Lime Cake
- Australian Chocolate Coconut Truffles
Homemade sweetened condensed milk is made with only 4 simple ingredients in just a few minutes. It is so quick and easy to make this homemade version of a pantry staple.
Valerie says
I’m more likely to have sweetened condensed milk at my house than powdered milk, but good to know you can do this!
denise says
i was looking for this as easy to make thanks always looking around for new things to make and not have to buy thanks
Anita Lenker says
I AM DIABETIC CAN YOU USE A SUGAR SUBSUTITE LIKE EQUAL OR SWEET N LOW ?
Nicole says
Im not sure.. I havent tried this so i don’t know how it would turn out. if you do try it, let me know
Angela says
Can you use coconut milk powder?
Nellie says
I’ve never tried, but please let us know if you experiment!
Big Matt says
I am looking for a “LACTOSE FREE” version of sweetened condensed milk
Nellie says
Let us know if you find one!
Antonia M C says
I had NO IDEA that you could make it from scratch! Even on sale, it’s at least $2 in Ontario Canada. I can’t wait to try it, PS, I don’t think it’s possible to have lactose free, but I’m lactose intolerant, I just take lactose intolerance pills when I eat ice cream, a lot of cheese, or foods with significant amounts of lactose, I highly recommend Dairy Again by Webber Naturals, it’s the least expensive I’ve found, at Costco!