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How to Make Condensed Milk
Today, I’ll show you how to make condensed milk. If you’re making my “No Ice Cream Maker Required” Ice Cream, you’ll be all set having your own homemade sweetened condensed milk on hand. And you’ll also be all set for any other recipes you want to make that call for this lusciously thick and sweet ingredient! It’s easy to make this ingredient at home right in your own kitchen. And it only calls for two ingredients: Milk and Sugar!
Which Milk Makes the Best Condensed Milk?
When it comes to making condensed milk, it’s best to use whole milk. It can be raw, pasteurized, or ultra-pasteurized. If you have been with me for a while, you know that I generally don’t recommend using ultra-pasteurized milk in a traditional foods kitchen.
However, since we will be heating this milk for an extended period of time—about 40-45 minutes—I am fine with using ultra-pasteurized milk here, especially if that is all you can find at your local market.
How About Low-Fat Milk? Fat-Free Milk?
If you decide that you want to make condensed milk with low-fat or even fat-free milk, you can certainly do this. However, the consistency of the final product will not be as rich as if you had started with whole milk. And if you are planning on using a low-fat or fat-free condensed milk in a recipe, it may not work as well, and you might have to experiment with the recipe and make adjustments to it.
A Great Pantry Staple
So be sure to watch my learn how to make homemade condensed milk video so that you can make a recipe that calls for this ingredient anytime you want – including my easy homemade ice cream. You’ll never have to buy that little can on the bottom shelf at your grocery again!
More 4-Corners Pantry Recipes
Now that you’ve mastered making condensed milk, be sure to check out these videos for more homemade staples for your 4-Corners Pantry: Your Refrigerator, Freezer, Kitchen Pantry, and Extended Pantry.
- How to Make Evaporated Milk
- How to Make Bone Broth – playlist
- How to Make Homemade Vegetable Bouillon and Dehydrate It – playlist
- The Complete Sourdough Starter Guide
- How To Make Homemade Mayonnaise in 1 Minute With An Immersion Blender
- How to Make Fermented Carrots – playlist
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How to Make Condensed Milk
Equipment
- Heavy Bottom Saucepan or Enameled Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups Whole milk
- 2/3 cup Cane sugar also add 1 additional tablespoon of cane sugar
Instructions
- Add milk and sugar to a saucepan or Dutch oven, turn heat to low, and allow the sugar to dissolve completely.
- Once the sugar is completely dissolved, increase the heat so that the mixture comes to a low simmer.
- Simmer on low, undisturbed, for 40-45 minutes until decreased by half.
- Strain mixture through a sieve into a bowl or measuring cup, transfer the liquid to a glass jar with a tight fighting lid, and then store in the refrigerator. Your condensed milk will stay fresh, refrigerated, for approximately six months.
Video
Notes
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Favorite Condensed Milk Making Supplies:
- Staub Red 4 Qt. Round Dutch Oven
- Le Creuset Spatula
- 4-Cup Measuring Cup
- Fine Mesh Strainer
- 12-Ounce Storage Jars
- White Storage Jar Lids
Affiliates note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. My content may contain affiliate links to products and services. If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll receive a small commission. It does not affect the price you pay.
Disclaimer:I am not a medical doctor, a medical professional, a dietician, or a nutritionist. All content found on the MarysNest.com website, including text, images, videos, eBooks or eGuides, social media, or other formats, were created solely for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or proper nutritional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have watched in a video or read on this website. Use caution when following the recipe in this video. The creator and publisher of this video and website will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of this recipe and method or any other recipe and method on this website or corresponding video channel.
Can this be frozen? I want to start making homemade coffee creamers, which call for 1 can of sweetened condensed milk. I want to cook ahead (more than one batch) and have this in my freezer ready to go for creamer and other recipes. Thanks!
Hi Diane, I think that might work out OK. Experiment with a small amount first and then see how the texture is when you thaw it out. Love, Mary
I made sweetened condensed milk using evaporated milk and 1/3 cup of allulose (low carb sweetener). I cooked it on a high simmer for 25 minutes and it was thick and delicious – just like store bought but without the carbs!
Hi Leanne, So happy to hear how well it turned out! Love, Mary
Would maple syrup be usable in place of sugar
Definitely! 🙂
Definitely! 🙂 If you enjoy making Traditional Foods, be sure to head over to my YouTube channel’s home page where I share lots of playlists of videos that I think you will enjoy. Here is the link: https://YouTube.com/MarysNest Plus, I have a playlist of some of my videos titled “Mastering the Basics of Traditional Nutrient Dense Foods Cooking”. It’s a series of 15 detailed videos that covers How to Make Bone Broth, Cultured Dairy, Ferments, Sourdough Starter (my foolproof stater), Sourdough Bread, Soaked and Sprouted Nuts and Beans, and How to Soak and Sprout Grains to Make your own Sprouted Flour at Home. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U3b4eu0QraZReKlGzA11h3y And please share the playlist with any other folks you think might be interested in learning about these types of things. I’m passionate about the book Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon (of the Weston A Price Foundation) and want to help as many people as I can learn how to make Traditional “Nutrient Dense” Foods.
And for more details on some of these subjects mentioned above…(and more), be sure to check out these detailed playlists:
➡️How to Make Bone Broth: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U0JFsTi2N7sHSpU-vBR04CH
➡️How to Make Fermented Vegetables: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U2EhVspEV5d4Xs2s4pcbHbr
➡️How to Make Fermented Condiments: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U0hCKYoMMBeVD-9bA6TckEj
➡️The Complete Guide to Sourdough: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U3NKN0GHvGCpiWNxcTefLof
➡️The Complete NO KNEAD BREAD Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U0ZnA45FadK99NvKZLKh-6N
➡️How to Make Bread with or without Yeast Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U344nspo8zPj3O3LfyNVHZS
➡️And if you are interested in learning about how to make various types of Homemade Dairy including Cultured Butter, Cottage Cheese, Sour Cream, Ricotta Cheese, and more, be sure check out this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U2R7u0Ri26HwdLMjUa4iJJX

➡️Also…If you enjoy making homemade pantry type items, you might enjoy my playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U1MqC3YAw7ZRYjuL9FBGSwc where I show how to make Apple Cider Vinegar (see more info about this below), 10 Flavored Extracts including Vanilla Extract, 10 Seasoning Blends including Ranch Dressing Mix and Onion Soup Mix, 1- Minute Homemade Mayonnaise, Homemade Bouillon – and how to dehydrate it, Natural Food Colorings, Evaporated Milk, Condensed Milk, Preserved Citrus, Breadcrumbs, Croutons, and more!
And if you like the idea of making your own Apple Cider Vinegar as mentioned above…Be sure to check out the Apple Cider Vinegar Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U1QPA95O2-oOvxwtO-v3L4L which a 3-part series where I walk you through the entire 30-day process. And if you like making vinegar, I also have a Homemade Citrus Vinegar Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U3apQRTzhfQBkR_x0rb514U And I have one more vinegar video where I show how to make vinegar from Strawberry Scraps. You can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U2M3dRA483q5KJ7JkJfn3fS
➡️And…Have you seen my playlist for making immune boosting foods and natural remedies including a Super Mineral Detox Broth? You can look through the playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U0p9nRAWldbyqYSbgwzARGd You may like some of these recipes.
➡️And if you are interested in how to make probiotic rich fermented drinks, here is my playlist of some fun drinks including How to Make Homemade Sodas, Mocktails, Drinking Vinegar, Homemade Energy Drinks, Switchel, Shrubs, and More: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U2w2-CiBrkNnZj_IIlqZc9h You may enjoy these videos. And if you are interested in learning how to make Kombucha and/or Water Kefir, I have a playlist which includes a Beginners Guide to Kombucha Making along with a video on making water kefir for beginners…which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U3YysV0OYOMsxsJuf_sxPTK
➡️And in the Modern Pioneering spirit…If you enjoy canning, or are interested in learning about canning, I have a playlist of my canning videos here which include step-by-step tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkRuW3pBo2U3HJRCmwVAvBNS90WjifR1U
➡️Oh…And here is my 2020 Channel Update for everything I have planned for this year: https://youtu.be/qjOJh8Cb_-k
Please let me know if you have any questions. I’m so happy to help! And also, let me know what other types of traditional food videos you would like to see me make. I’m SO glad you’re here!! Love and God Bless, Mary
PS – Are you in our FB group? It’s called Mary’s Nest Modern Pioneers. The direct link can be found in the description under this video. Come join us! We have a lot of fun chatting about Traditional “Nutrient Dense Foods and it’s a great place to get questions answered.
Mary I made this and it was delicious. My question can I substitute Stevia, Monk Fruit Blend, or other low carb sweetener as my daughter is doing the Keto diet and I’d like to make something she can eat. Your response will be greatly appreciated.
You can, but basically what you will be making is sweetened evaporated milk because the consistency will be slightly different than Condensed milk made with sugar. But it can still work. Hope this helps. Love, Mary❤️🤗❤️
I made sweetened condensed milk using evaporated milk and low carb sweetener. It worked GREAT for making no churn ice cream (1 pint of heavy whipping cream whipped to stiff peaks; 1 can of my homemade sweetened condensed milk chilled- I used allulose; and vanilla extract. Whip the whipping cream to stiff peaks, add the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Continue to beat until well incorporated. Pour into several (I used 3) freezer safe lidded containers and freeze.