Use this simple, 2-ingredient Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe whenever you need sweetened condensed milk but don't have any on hand.
Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe
I can't tell you how many times I've gone to make a recipe with sweetened condensed milk, only to find out I didn't have any. Or worse yet, I think I bought the sweetened condensed milk but actually grabbed a can of evaporated milk because they're right next to each other and I was pre-occupied with the kids.
That always puts me in a pickle because now I either have to forego my cooking or pack all three kids into the car and drive to the grocery store for ONE can of sweetened condensed milk.
Well I decided I needed a better option. I decided to try to figure out how to make homemade sweetened condensed milk so that I would never be in that unfortunate situation again. It turns out homemade sweetened condensed milk is literally just milk, sweetened with sugar, and reduced down.
This homemade sweetened condensed milk recipe takes about an hour to make BUT don't run away because it's a very hands-off, little effort recipe. You just add the ingredients to a saucepan, bring to a boil, then allow to simmer for about an hour, stirring whenever you're in the area and/or remember.
Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe
Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions
- Combine milk and sugar in a medium saucepan. Stir to combine.
- Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat and continue to simmer for about an hour, still stirring occasionally. Continue reducing until mixture is thick, ivory in color, and is down to about ½ cup.
- When mixture is reduced, remove from heat and transfer to a container with a lid until ready to use. Keep refrigerated until used. Homemade sweetened condensed milk will be good at least until the expiration date of the milk used to make it.
Did you like this Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe? Find more on my In the Kitchen board on Pinterest!
If you liked this Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe you might also like
See More Cooking Tips and Homemade Ingredients
Never Miss a Thing!
Join our newsletter to get new recipes, tips, tricks, and tutorials every week!
Diane says
This recipe is so useful thank you! I will definitely save it for later. I'm always running out of ingredients I need like this one!
Kathy Littrell says
Could you use evaporated milk and sugar to make this?
Michelle says
I've not tried it, but probably. Evaporated milk has already been "condensed," so the boil time would probably be shorter to get it to the sticky caramelly point
All that's Jas says
I had no clue you can make your own! Thanks for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop!
Jenna says
I've always wondered how this was made and I will have to try this next time. Thanks!
Maria da Conceição says
adorei esta receita vou testá~la com adoçante de forno e fogão.
obrigada!
Jane says
Just came across this. What kind of milk can I use? Would it matter if I used 2%?
Michelle says
You can use 2% to make it, but it just may not taste as rich as a whole milk version of it.
Pam says
This is great! Thanks for sharing!! Do you think using Splenda would work for a "sugar free" sweetened condensed milk? I have a family full of diabetics and am always looking to cut sugar!
Michelle says
I've never tried it, but it might! I think it might be a tad more runny since the sugar makes it sticky, but as long as you reduce it down, I think it could work. Let me know how it goes if you try it!
Joey says
Hi! I plan on using this recipe for tonight's no-churn ice cream! Quick question, how long do I leave the mixture boiling and how high should the heat be?
Michelle says
It takes about an hour to reduce it down. Start off with medium-high heat to bring to a boil. Then reduce it down to medium to medium-low, depending on where you see it start simmering.
Nicole C. says
Tried this with refrigerated coconut milk and coconut sugar. Didn't reduce at all. I'll give it another try with another milk and sugar. Really hoping to find something dairy free that works. Thanks for posting this recipe!
Sherry says
Did you ever find a dairy free combo that worked?
Queene Greene says
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Searched for a recipe for Sweetened Condensed Milk (for my Iced Coffee recipe) and found a boat-load all with added fat (butter) then stumbled on your recipe. PERFECT!!! Will never buy canned Sweetened Condensed Milk again! Thank you for sharing truly appreciate it!
Queene says
Update: My second batch (made exactly to recipe) resulted in a thick (peanut butter like ) and grainy consistency. Although it tasted good, it wasn't pourable whatsoever. Anyone have any ideas where I went wrong? Appreciate any help.
Michelle says
It sounds like the heat was too hot or it was cooked too long. Best guesses without actually seeing what happened
Danielle says
Did you use it in a recipe or did you discard it. Mine has turned out thick as well.
Michelle says
If a recipe calls for one can (14oz) would I have to triple this recipe? You've made it sound like the amount made would be the equivalent when needing a can but your recipe says it only yields 1/2 cup. Just want to clarify.
Michelle says
A can of sweetened condensed milk is about 1 1/4 cup, so you would need to adjust the recipe accordingly, yes. To get exactly as much as in the can, use 1 1/4 cups sugar and 3 3/4 cups milk.
Debbie says
I have made this recipe many times now and have had different results. I always get hung up on simmering it down to 1/2 a cup. When I leave it too long it starts to caramelize and becomes way too thick. However, if this happens there are a few great cookie recipes that call for condensed milk and this "whoops" works well in it. I hate waste.
I don't know if it's our high altitude in Calgary but when you simmer it down for an hour it's not overly thick, but settles nicely in the refrigerator. I get approximately 1 cup from it. As well. I find it beneficial to whisk it in the pot regularly to keep it smooth.
I love this recipe and an anxious to try it with 2%
Becky says
I love, I repeat love this recipe! I will never buy the canned version ever again. I mostly use it to make my own coffee creamer and use 2% milk since that's all I buy. I do more of my decadent cooking for the holidays and will use whole milk then. Can't wait! I can never get it reduced enough for the exact amount that is in the can but oh well the more the merrier.
Nicole says
I would like to know if I use skim milk will it come out same. I love this recipe Very much. Some time went you need it you get it.
Roxana Dell’Osso says
Love this!
I am on a keto program. Could I use coconut milk or almond milk + Splenda or Erythriol to make it.
Michelle says
I'm not sure if that would work. I'm guessing you'd have a better chance with coconut milk than almond milk. I can't say for sure how either will work though, since I've only tested this recipe with the ingredients I listed in the recipe. If you do try it, let me know how it goes. I'd love to share a keto-friendly option in the recipe notes!
Michelle says
I can't figure out what I've done wrong, but I want so badly to figure it out so I can make this recipe! Right when my mixture began to boil, I immediately turned it down as low as my stove would go. After about 20 minutes it began to curdle. Any idea how to fix this? Thanks!
Michelle says
I'm not sure if you can fix a curdled batch. But if you were to try it again, you might want to try turning down the heat even further after it comes to a boil, all the way down to low. And if you're using a larger pot/pan the cook time will be different, so be sure it's a medium sized saucepan.
Becky Jumps says
Can you make sweetened condensed from condensed milk, I bought that accidentally?
Michelle says
Most condensed milk is usually already sweetened, so double check on that. I'm not sure what you could do if it wasn't sweetened other than adding sugar
Jasmine says
I know the health benefits of the milk and milk products and that’s why I have my own healthy dairy products business. Condensed milk is one of the few milk and milk products rich in milk proteins. It combines nourishing value of both malt and milk, making it a power drink. It’s a passion to express myself and to make humans healthy.
Elizabeth says
Just tried your recipe. Love it! Thank you so much!!
Peggy says
It worked! Genius hack.