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Effortless DIY Condensed Milk

Featured in: Desserts to Satisfy Every Craving

Let milk and sugar bubble away until it's thick and golden, cutting the wait by cooking smaller amounts at once. Grab it fresh or stash in the fridge for weeks.

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Updated on Wed, 21 May 2025 15:35:33 GMT
A spoon scoops thick, pale sauce from a little, pretty bowl on marble. Pin it
A spoon scoops thick, pale sauce from a little, pretty bowl on marble. | cookingkitchn.com

I came up with this super simple way to whip up sweetened condensed milk at home after a late-night baking scramble. I ran out of the canned stuff right when I was making my mom’s fudge. I googled some tricks, poked around my cabinets, and landed on this version that honestly tastes way better than the kind from the store. Trust me, after lots of burnt pots and late-night taste tests, I figured out how to make it thick, dreamy, and smooth every single time.

Why You'll Adore This Condensed Milk

If you think making your own sweetened condensed milk is tough, think again. This method is honestly a breeze and you’ll always recognize every ingredient you toss in - zero weird extras, no hidden junk. You even get to tweak the sweetness until it’s just right for you. The thing I like best is the way your kitchen smells while it’s bubbling away. Seriously, it’s like a cozy hug straight from grandma’s house.

Ingredients

  • What You'll Need:
    • 1 vanilla bean (optional but so worth it)
    • 4 cups whole milk (don’t grab reduced fat for this)
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup plain white sugar
  • Trusty Tools:
    • Glass jars with lids
    • Sturdy saucepan (heavy-bottomed)
    • Wooden spoon with a long handle
    • Candy thermometer (way easier with one)

Simple Step-by-Step Directions

Finishing Touches
Set that sandwich aside for a minute before cutting it. Melty cheese inside and warm bread outside need a moment to settle. Slice it diagonally for that old-school feeling. Press gently with your spatula right at the end to help the layers stick together and the cheese go gooey.
Get That Golden Toast
Heat your skillet to medium until a water drop dances. Lay the sandwich in, buttered side against the pan, and wait 3-4 minutes till you get that lovely golden crust. Flip with care and let the other side catch up.
Stack It Right
Put a layer of cheese inside on both bread slices to keep things from getting soggy. Toss on your juicy chicken next, top with soft avocado slices, then a little salt and pepper to taste.
Craft Your Base
Butter up one side of your bread, then flip it so the butter stays on the outside—this is what’ll make everything crispy and perfect.
Get Everything Ready
Start with room-temp butter, it spreads way easier than cold. Make sure your avocado is ready and ripe, cheese is shredded or sliced, and chicken is all set.

Top Tips for Smooth Results

Keep the heat chill—if things start bubbling wild or sounding angry, you gotta turn it down. You’re shooting for gentle bubbling, not chaos. If you see the mix getting dark and crusty at the edges, leave those bits alone. Here’s my little hack: I zap the sugar in the oven for a couple minutes before pouring it in. Warm sugar melts into the milk in no time!

There's a small glass jar filled with thick, buttery-yellow cream on a coaster, a spoon sticking out the top. Pin it
There's a small glass jar filled with thick, buttery-yellow cream on a coaster, a spoon sticking out the top. | cookingkitchn.com

Fun Ways to Use It

Don’t just save this for baking. Splash a spoonful in your coffee or tea and see what happens. It’s an awesome base for DIY ice cream. You can pour it over a bowl of fresh berries too—it’s a game changer. Whenever I use it for no-bake treats, the cookies turn out extra rich and dreamy.

Keep It Fresh & Handy

Pour your hot sweetened condensed milk right into sparkling clean jars. Stash it in the fridge and you’re set for about four weeks—if you don’t eat it all first! It thickens up a lot as it cools, so don’t freak out if it’s a bit runny at the start. If you need it to flow again, just warm it up gently and you’re good to go.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why does it feel like forever to thicken?

Spread it into a couple of pans instead of one huge one. The difference? Two pans get you there in 40, not hours.

→ Feels too runny?

Chill, it'll firm up as it cools. If you boiled it down halfway, you're set.

→ What’s up with the crystals on the side?

Stirring too hard after the sugar's gone makes them pop up. Go easy and just check the bottom's not burning.

→ Too sweet or not sweet enough?

Start off with half a cup of sugar, have a quick taste once it’s thicker, and toss in more if you want. You can’t sweeten it later.

→ Can’t pour when it’s from the fridge?

No worries. Zap it a few times in the microwave and it'll loosen right up.

Conclusion

This sweet milk mix is crazy flexible. You only need a few staples and a little time to pull it off at home.

Effortless DIY Condensed Milk

With just a few things from your kitchen, you can make your own creamy condensed milk. It's perfect if you don't have the store kind.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Sophia

Category: Sweet Delights

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 cup)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
02 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar.
03 1/4 teaspoon table salt.
04 2 cups full-fat milk.

Instructions

Step 01

In a medium pot, combine milk, salt, and sugar over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar blends in fully.

Step 02

Turn the heat to low and let it simmer gently. Don't stir much—just scrape the bottom now and then. Cook for about 30–45 minutes.

Step 03

When the liquid reduces by half and looks like maple syrup, stir in the vanilla.

Step 04

If there's froth or bits, pour it through a fine mesh to get a smooth liquid. Let it cool down fully.

Step 05

Put it in an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to a month. To use, warm it just a bit to make it easier to pour.

Notes

  1. A smaller pot can make the process faster.
  2. It thickens up a lot as it cools down.
  3. Avoid stirring once the sugar melts.

Tools You'll Need

  • Medium-sized pot.
  • Fine mesh strainer.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 111
  • Total Fat: 2 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
  • Protein: 2 g