How To Make a Homemade Condensed Milk: A Guide

Condensed milk is a must-have in any dessert or recipe. If you're making a tasty fudge, buttery-nutty pie filling, or creamy pudding base, it's difficult to argue with condensed milk. In this post, I'll show you how to make homemade condensed milk, answer frequently asked questions, and provide everything you need to know about using it in your recipes.

What is The Condensed Milk?

But first, what is sweet condensed milk? Before we get to the recipe, the question arises: What is condensed milk? Sweetened condensed milk is a milk product in which the water has been removed and to which sugar has been added. It is usually produced from cows ' milk and is very thick and syrupy. The result is a dense, rich, and sweet product that is used in baking, cooking, and as a dessert on its own.

Ingredients of Condensed Milk🥛:

All you need are a few simple ingredients to make homemade condensed milk. Here's what you'll need:

• 2 cups of milk(WHOLE)
• 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (if you want it extra rich)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract, optional, for flavor

These all add up to a creamy, luscious, and sweetened condensed milk, ideal for numerous sweet treats.

Step-By-Step Procedure:

Follow the step-by-step procedure to Prepare Easy Milk Condensation at home!

We have prepared a step-by-step guide to make milk condensation at home.

Combining The Ingredients:

In a medium saucepan, you can whisk together the whole milk and the sugar. Stir, dissolving sugar in milk.

Cooking the Mixture:

Set the saucepan over medium heat. Start whisking constantly to prevent the sugar from burning and to dissolve it fully. Once the mixture starts to simmer, being careful not to let it boil.

Simmer Until Thickened:

Allow the milky solution to simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. You will see that the liquid starts to acquire thick consistency and cook down. Keep a watchful eye to avoid scorching.

Stir In Butter and Vanilla:

When the mixture acquires a thick consistency as per your liking, add the butter and vanilla. Add them, stirring well to make sure the butter has fully melted. This process is what gives condensed milk recipes their richness.

Cool and Store:

Once your sweetened condensed milk has thickened in the pan and you have added the butter and  vanilla extract, remove the saucepan from the heat. Allow the mixture to cool. When cooled, store it in a neat, airtight jar or box. Refrigerate for up to 1 week.

And there, you've just made a batch of homemade condensed milk for your recipes!

Substitutes To Condensed Milk:

But what if you've run out of sweetened condensed milk? You might be thinking what can I use instead of sweetened condensed milk? Most popular sweetened condensed milk alternative include:

Evaporated Milk and Sugar:

Heat 1 ¼ cups of evaporated milk with 1 cup of sugar until it has reduced to the thickness of condensed milk.

Coconut Milk and Sugar:

To make Coconut Milk and sugar, mix Coconut Milk with Sugar (I can't vouch for demerara, but it will work) and reduce it to the desired thickness to make a substitute for evaporated milk.

Sweetened Condensed Milk Substitute:

Some people use unsweetened condensed milk and then sweeten it to taste. You can also make sugar free condensed milk by substituting the sugar  stevia.

When Can You Use Evaporated Milk Instead Of Milk We Normally Use?

If you are wondering, Is evaporated milk the same as condensed milk?  Or what is in sweetened condensed milk? Many want to know. The answer is no. Although both are milk concentrates, there is no sugar in evaporated milk, as there is in sweetened condensed milk. So, substituting one for the other means needing to add sugar to achieve the desired sweetness.

Recipes Made of Condensed Milk:

If you're not sure what to do with your homemade condensed milk, there are many desserts with sweetened condensed milk that you can try. Some of the most popular are:

Condensed Milk Sweet Recipes:

Simply cook up some fudge, Caramel, or pies using condensed milk.

Ice Cream With Sweetened Condensed Milk:

 Not to mention Cheesecakes to Ice Cream with sweetened condensed milk, the options are limitless!

Condensed Milk Frosting: 

A rare, creamy, and sweet frosting that is ideal for topping cakes or cupcakes.

How to Make Caramel Out of Condensed Milk:

There is a simple way of making caramel from condensed milk. Now, bring your homemade condensed milk mixture to a simmer over low heat for 30-40 minutes, stirring often. You can add milk to the onions and cook until it acquire a thick consistency and turn a deep golden brown color. You can use that rich, caramelized condensed milk in your recipes, or you can drizzle it over desserts for a mouthwatering topping.

Lactose-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk:

For those who are lactose intolerant, we also have lactose-free sweetened condensed milk. It's a delicious way to get the benefits of whole milk, even if you're lactose-intolerant. You can even make lactose-free sweetened condensed milk at home by substituting lactose-free dairy and white sugar in the standard recipe. 

What's In Sweetened Condensed Milk?

Does sweetened condensed milk have lactose? Homemade condensed milk ingredients usually consist of whole milk and sugar. However, some recipes or brands add a stabilizer or thickener. If you're at the good fortune of making it yourself, you can take comfort in the knowledge that it's made from natural ingredients such as milk, sugar, and (in some instances, but not all) butter.

Conclusion:

Everything's homemade, including the milk, which is really one of those things that will bring your dessert game up a level. Whether you're making condensed sweet milk recipes, learning how to make frosting with condensed milk, or considering how to make caramel with it, you'll find many delicious uses for this ingredient in food. It's also nice to keep around as a building block for many sweet treats and recipes. Homemade milk is so versatile, and you can vary the sweetness by using options such as unsweetened condensed milk or making sugar-free sweetened condensed milk.

The next time you're in the kitchen, skip the store-bought version and make your own instead. It will be fresher-tasting, and you'll have control over the ingredients and sweetness. Whether you're making recipes made of condensed milk or just want to try a newrecipe, this homemade version will be sure to impress.