How to make homemade condensed milk?
To make sweetened condensed milk, simmer 2 1/2 cups of whole milk with 1 cup of white sugar over low heat, stirring now and then and never boiling hard, for about 30 to 40 minutes until it reduces by about half. It thickens more as it cools. It makes roughly one can's worth and keeps in the fridge for about a week.
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In this article
How do you make condensed milk at home?
Homemade condensed milk works the same way as the factory version: water is removed from a mix of milk and sugar. One tested recipe uses:
- 2 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- Combine the milk and sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan or a wide pan and stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then lower the heat to keep it barely simmering.
- Stir now and then. Simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes, until it has reduced to roughly half its volume and looks creamy.
- Cool to room temperature. It thickens as it cools and chills.
- Pour into an airtight container and refrigerate.
This makes roughly the amount in one store-bought can. Other recipes use different ratios and longer times of up to 2 hours at a very low simmer, and some take as little as 20 to 30 minutes, so exact times vary with your pan and heat. Measure as you go.
Tips for a smooth result
- Avoid a hard boil and do not leave it alone for long, because milk scorches and boils over.
- Use white sugar. Brown sugar changes color and taste.
- It may look thin while hot but should thicken when chilled. If it gets too thick, whisk in a splash of milk.
How long does it keep?
One recipe says about a week in the fridge in an airtight container. Others say up to 4 weeks. Because homemade versions are less preserved than a sealed can, use the shorter time and smell it before use.
How is it different from the can?
The FDA standard for sweetened condensed milk requires at least 8 percent milkfat and at least 28 percent total milk solids by weight, made by removing water from milk blended with safe and suitable nutritive carbohydrate sweeteners. A kitchen recipe is not tested against that standard, so the texture and sweetness may differ from canned. It is not the same as evaporated milk, which has no sugar added.
What if you only have powdered milk?
Recipes using dry milk powder exist, but we did not verify one, so we do not give amounts here.
People also ask
How long does it take to make condensed milk at home?
About 30 to 40 minutes of gentle simmering for a small batch, until reduced to about half. Some recipes take up to 2 hours.
How long does homemade condensed milk last?
About a week in the fridge in an airtight container is the safe guide. Some recipes say up to 4 weeks.
Is condensed milk the same as evaporated milk?
No. Sweetened condensed milk contains added sugar, while evaporated milk does not.
Sources
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