Learn how easy it is to make homemade condensed milk with only two ingredients.
About a week ago, I found myself with a refrigerator full of lemons. They were on the edge of going bad, so I wanted to use them up.
I found a yummy, simple recipe for Meyer’s Lemon Pie, made from egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and pie crust.
Since I prefer to make things homemade, I decided to see if I could create a homemade condensed milk to create the pie.
Turns out, creating homemade condensed milk is ridiculously easy! You just need two ingredients, a couple hours of inactive cooking time, and viola! Homemade condensed milk.
And also- it is sooo much better than anything you will find in a can.
Table of Contents
How to Make Homemade Condensed Milk
Makes 2 cups
Ingredients:
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup sugar (I use organic sugar cane)
Directions:
Combine milk and sugar in a small saucepan, and warm over medium heat. Bring it up to just about steaming, but not boiling.
Reduce heat to low and simmer until reduced by half, stirring with a whisk occasionally, so it doesn’t burn on the bottom. This took me about 3.5 hours for it to be a nice and thick.
Can you use any other Sweetener?
Yep! I found this amazing article from Don’t Waste the Crumbs about making condensed milk.
She did an experiment to create homemade condensed milk by using 8 different sweeteners, including honey, maple syrup, and brown sugar, and was successful using each one.
Can I Use this Recipe in Place of Canned Condensed Milk?
Yep! This recipe works perfectly in any recipe that calls for sweetened condensed milk.
How Long does Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Last?
You can store condensed milk in a clean glass jar (such as a mason jar) and store it in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Can Condensed Milk be Frozen?
Yes, you can freeze condensed milk. Store in a clean glass jar in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk
A two-ingredient recipe for homemade sweetened condensed milk.
Instructions
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Combine milk and sugar in a small saucepan, and warm over medium heat.
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Bring it to just about steaming, but not boiling. Reduce heat to low and simmer until reduced by half (this takes about 3.5 hours), stirring with a whisk occasionally, so it doesn't burn on the bottom.
What Can you do with Condensed Milk?
Now that you know how to make sweetened condensed milk, here are some ways you can use it:
- Add it to your coffee or tea for an extra creamy drink
- Make Condensed Milk Pound Cake
- Pour it on top of ice cream
- Make Chocolate Covered Cherries
- Add a tablespoon to your pork or chicken marinade
- Make Tres Leches Cupcakes
- Make Caramels
Could you make the Sweetened Condensed Milk in a crock pot? Less likely to burn.
Can you can this to be shelf stable?
I haven’t ever tried to can this, so I am not sure. Sorry I can’t be more helpful.
So excited to give this a try. My husband uses french vanilla coffee creamer. Going to make our own. I will let you know how it turns out.
🙂🙂👩🍳👩🍳
I used heavy cream and stevia and it turned out great. It’s even better after it has chilled in the refrigerator. I like to mix some with plain Greek yogurt and blueberries for a quick treat. I’ve also used it in keto friendly cheesecake recipes.
I have only used canned sweetened condensed milk. It didnt last long when the kids were young. I used to find empty can under their beds. Pantry robbers, all.
I use sweetened condensed milk in place of coffee creamer. I realize it’s still sugar and carbs but it doesn’t have all of the chemicals that store bought coffee creamer has.
That is a good idea Jamie! I will try that with my next cup 🙂
Your sweetened condensed milk looks SO delicious Andrea! Thanks so much for linking back to my versions. 🙂 I can’t believe this DIY is so easy, and so frugal too!! Have a great day!
Thanks Tiffany – and thanks for the thorough experiment on the various types of ways to make it – very informative! 🙂
Great ! I’d like to give it a try. Can this be done with almond milk?
Hi George,
You know, I am not sure if it would work with almond milk. I know dontwastethecrumbs tried a dairy-free sweetened condensed milk using coconut milk. Here is the link if you want to check it out:
http://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2013/11/dairy-free-sweetened-condensed-milk/
Love this!
Thanks Margaret Anne!
I never realized it was this easy! I wish I would have know. Great article!
Awesome! I’ve only ever made condensed milk from powdered milk.
A question: do you use pasteurized milk, or raw? In always a lttle afraid of what will happen if I cook raw milk like that..
I used pasteurized milk. How does it turn out from powdered milk?
Are you kidding me? Is it really that easy? Love learning new frugal food ideas:)
I had no idea you could make your own condensed milk. I used a few cans of it this past Christmas for treats. so I love knowing I could make some instead of running to the store.
I had know idea you could make your own condensed milk! That Meyer Lemon Pie recipe looks simple also. Thanks