How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk

Working on a dessert that calls for a can of sweetened condensed milk? If you don’t have any on hand, aren’t able to buy it where you live, or can’t have it because of the milk or sugar, just skip the store-bought stuff, and make your own. It’s really easy to do, since sweetened condensed milk is nothing more than milk that’s had some water removed and sugar added.

Here are three ways to make sweetened condensed milk, including instructions on how to make a dairy-free, lactose-free or sugar-free version.

All of these recipes make the equivalent of one 14 oz. can (1-1/4 cup)

How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk With Evaporated Milk

If you have a can of evaporated milk in your pantry, you’re already half way to sweetened condensed milk. Just combine one 12-oz can of evaporated milk and 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar in a sauce pan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue cooking, until the sugar dissolves, and the milk thickens slightly. Allow your sweetened condensed milk to cool. Then, use or refrigerate.

How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk With Non-Fat Dry Milk

Have a box of non-fat dry milk? To make sweetened condensed milk, measure 1/2 cup boiling water, 1 cup non-fat dry milk and 2/3 cup granulated sugar into a blender. Then, place the lid on; cover it with a towel to avoid spatters and burns; and blend on high speed, until well-combined. Allow the mixture to cool, before using or refrigerating.

How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk With Milk

Making sweetened condensed milk from milk is the most time-consuming option, but there’s nothing hard about it. Just measure 1-1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup sugar into a saucepan. Then, heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the milk comes to a boil. Continue cooking and stirring, until the sugar dissolves, and the volume is reduced by approximately 60%. Allow your sweetened condensed milk to cool, before you add it to your recipe.

How to Make Dairy-Free, Lactose-Free or Sugar-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk

If you aren’t able to use store-bought sweetened condensed milk because of the dairy, lactose or sugar content, just whip up a batch that meets your dietary needs. It’s easy. Simply replace the ingredient that you’re trying to avoid with one of the substitutes listed below. Then, continue with any of the sweetened condensed milk recipes outlined in this post.

For a Dairy-Free Version – Replace the milk called for with an equal amount of unflavored almond, cashew or oat milk
For a Lactose-Free Version – Replace the milk called for with an equal amount of lactose-free milk
For a Sugar-Free Version – Replace the sugar called for with an equal amount of Splenda. If you’re only trying to avoid processed sugars, honey or maple syrup can be used in place of the granulated sugar that’s called for. Since both are considerably sweeter than sugar, use half as much honey as the recipe calls for, or 3/4 as much maple syrup.

These substitutions may alter the flavor or consistency of your sweetened condensed milk slightly, but will give you good results.

How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk

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Here’s how to make sweetened condensed milk three ways. Includes instructions for a dairy-free, lactose-free or sugar-free version.

• Total Time: 25 minute
• Yield: 1-1/4 cup

Ingredients

• Milk (evaporated milk, non-fat dry milk or regular milk)
• Sugar (granulated, Splenda, honey or maple syrup)

Instructions

How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk With Evaporated Milk

Combine (1) 12-oz can evaporated milk and 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue cooking, until sugar dissolves, and milk thickens slightly. Let cool, before using or refrigerating.

How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk With Non-Fat Dry Milk

Place 1/2 cup boiling water, 1 cup non-fat dry milk and 2/3 cup granulated sugar in a blender. Put the lid on. Then, cover the lid with a towel to further protect against spatters and burns. Blend on high speed, until well-combined. Let cool, before using or refrigerating.

How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk With Milk

Measure 1-1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup granulated sugar into a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the milk comes to a boil. Continue cooking and stirring, until sugar dissolves, and volume is reduced by approximately 60%. Let cool, before using.

Notes

For a Dairy-Free Version – Replace the milk in the recipe with an equal amount of unflavored almond, cashew or oat milk
For a Lactose-Free Version – Use an equal amount of lactose-free milk
For a Sugar-Free Version – Replace the granulated sugar called for with an equal amount of Splenda. Trying to cut out processed sugars? Use honey or maple syrup in place of the granulated sugar called for. Both are sweeter than sugar, so use half as much honey, or 3/4 as much maple syrup.

*Nutrition Facts are based on making sweetened condensed milk from evaporated milk.

• Author: Erin Huffstetler, MyFrugalHome.com
• Prep Time: Varies
• Cook Time: Varies
• Category: Ingredient
• Method: Stove-Top
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: how to make sweetened condensed milk, sweetened condensed milk recipe, dairy-free sweetened condensed milk, lactose-free sweetened condensed milk, sugar-free sweetened condensed milk