Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe | BraveTart

Whip up your very own homemade sweetened condensed milk in just 45 minutes.

by
Stella Parks Editor Emeritus
Stella Parks is a CIA-trained baking nerd and pastry wizard, dubbed one of America's Best New Pastry Chefs by Food & Wine. She was the pastry editor at Serious Eats from 2016 to 2019.
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Stella Parks
updated Feb. 05, 2019
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Photographs and video: Vicky Wasik
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Why It Works

  • A splash of cream stabilizes the milk so it can be reduced in just 45 minutes without curdling.
  • Cream adds a concentrated dose of lactose for better flavor via Maillard browning.
  • Toasted sugar reduces sweetness while adding complexity.
  • Stirring and scraping prevents the milk solids from over-cooking.
  • Avoiding acidic ingredients will prevent the milk from curdling.

Homemade sweetened condensed milk traditionally requires ultra-low heat and up to six hours of constant stirring, but with a splash of heavy cream to prevent scorching, you can crank up the heat and be done in 45 minutes flat. The result is thicker, creamier, and more luscious than anything from a can, with a rich dairy flavor and subtle notes of toffee.

Reprinted from BraveTart: Iconic American Desserts with permission from W. W. Norton.

Recipe Facts

5

(7)

Active: 45 mins
Total: 45 mins
Makes: 19 ounces

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Ingredients

  • 32 ounces milk, any percentage will do (4 cups; 910g)
  • 6 ounces heavy cream (3/4 cup; 170g)
  • 7 ounces plain or toasted sugar (1 cup; 195g)
  • 1/8 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use about half as much by volume or the same weight
  • Aromatics such as a vanilla bean, split lengthways, or cinnamon stick (optional)

Directions

  1. Combine milk, cream, sugar, salt, and vanilla bean or cinnamon (if using) in a 5-quart stainless steel saucier. If you have a scale, weigh the pot and ingredients together so you can digitally track the reduction. Place over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a heat-resistant spatula, until the milk begins to simmer, about 12 minutes.

  2. Continue simmering an additional 30 minutes, scraping continuously to prevent a milky buildup from forming around the sides. When the thickened milk syrup suddenly turns foamy, it’s almost done. Keep cooking and stirring until the foam subsides and the dairy has condensed to exactly 2 cups or 19 ounces. If using a scale, the pot will weigh 26 ounces less than when you started.

  3. Troubleshooting: Should the dairy reduce too far, top it off with enough milk to reach 2 cups or 19 ounces, then remove aromatics and blitz with an immersion blender to emulsify.

  4. Pour into an airtight container, seal to prevent evaporation, and refrigerate until needed, up to 1 month. To mimic the consistency of canned milk, bring to room temperature before use.

Special equipment

Stainless steel Dutch oven, heat-resistant spatula

Notes

The timing of this recipe may vary considerably depending on the heat output of your stove and the size, shape, and gauge of your cookware. If it takes considerably longer than 12 minutes to bring the dairy to a simmer, increase the heat to medium-high in order to reduce the dairy within the allotted time. Conversely, should the milk begin to simmer much faster, reduce the heat to medium-low to cook at a more gentle pace.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Homemade sweetened condensed milk can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

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