Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe | BraveTart

Name: Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe | BraveTart
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 16
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)

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How to Make Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

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.

How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk

Active: 45 mins

Total: 45 mins

Serves: 16 servings

Rate & Comment

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 weigh
Aromatics such as a vanilla bean, split lengthways, or cinnamon stick (optional)

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.
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.
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.
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.

This Recipe Appears In

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk: Better Than the Canned Stuff

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
116	Calories
5g	Fat
15g	Carbs
2g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories	116
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g	7%
Saturated Fat 3g	17%
Cholesterol 18mg	6%
Sodium 49mg	2%
Total Carbohydrate 15g	6%
Dietary Fiber 0g	0%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg	1%
Calcium 81mg	6%
Iron 0mg	0%
Potassium 96mg	2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)