Description
This homemade condensed milk recipe is a simple and delicious alternative to store-bought sweetened condensed milk. Made with just a few basic ingredients, it’s perfect for baking, desserts, or sweetening your coffee. The recipe yields a rich, creamy, and slightly thickened milk that sweetens naturally and can be customized with vanilla. It’s easy to make on the stovetop in under 40 minutes and stores well in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Milk and Sugar: In a small, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the whole milk and granulated sugar over medium-low heat. Stir continuously to dissolve the sugar fully, ensuring no granules remain undissolved.
- Simmer and Reduce: Once the sugar has dissolved, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently. Stir occasionally, making sure it doesn’t boil or scorch, for 30 to 40 minutes until the milk has reduced by about half and thickened slightly.
- Add Butter and Vanilla: Remove the pan from the heat, then stir in the unsalted butter until melted completely. Add the optional vanilla extract and mix well to combine the flavors.
- Cool and Store: Allow the condensed milk to cool completely, during which it will thicken further. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute the whole milk with canned full-fat coconut milk and replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter.
- This homemade condensed milk is ideal for use in desserts, baking recipes, or as a sweetener in beverages like coffee.
- Stir gently during cooking to prevent scorching and ensure even thickening.
- The thickness will increase as the mixture cools, so avoid over-reducing it while hot.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Basics, Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 15mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
