Here’s a simple, reliable homemade condensed milk recipe—no special equipment required. You can make it with sugar + milk, or a quick blender version with powdered milk.
🥛 Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk
Option 1: Classic Stovetop Version
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp butter (optional, for richness)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine milk and sugar.
- Heat over medium-low, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Once hot, reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 30–40 minutes.
- Do not boil hard.
- Do not stir too often—let it reduce.
- Cook until the mixture has reduced by about half and looks slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla if desired.
- Let it cool—it thickens significantly as it cools.
- Store refrigerated in a sealed jar for up to 1 week.
Option 2: 5-Minute Blender Version (Powdered Milk)
Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered milk
- ⅔ cup sugar
- ½ cup hot water
- 4 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender.
- Blend until smooth (30–60 seconds).
- Let cool; it thickens as it sits.
- Store in the fridge up to 1 week.
Notes & Tips
- For a thicker result, simmer a bit longer.
- For a lighter version, you can use 2% milk but it won’t get as rich.
- This substitutes 1:1 for canned sweetened condensed milk in recipes.
Want a dairy-free or sugar-free version?