21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (2024)

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Start with a can of condensed milk, end with a smile.

By

Sara Bir

21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (1)

Sara Bir

Sara is a chef, culinary educator, and author of three cookbooks, The Pocket Pawpaw Cookbook, Tasting Ohio and The Fruit Forager's Companion. The latter won a 2019 IACP Cookbook Award.

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Published July 29, 2023

21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (2)

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21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (3)

Sweetened condensed milk is an ingredient I've long taken for granted. I often keep it in my pantry. Around the holidays, grocery stores stack towers of cans in baking-themed displays. It's as if it always existed.

So it's fun to see the current creative resurgence of condensed milk. It's both a time-tested touchstone of midcentury recipes and a trendy ingredient hack to save a bunch of steps and shorten your shopping list. There's another side to condensed milk, too: in many tropical countries where refrigeration was uncommon, condensed milk became a go-to for its ease of storage.

You'll see examples of each condensed milk genre in this list, from old favorites to new approaches. Whatever the recipe, you know opening a can is the beginning of something special.

  • Easy Lime Cracker Icebox Cake

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (4)

    Layering Ritz crackers with a key lime pie-esque filling may seem a little odd, but it all comes together in this no-bake dessert with just 6 ingredients.

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  • Pistachio Cardamom Tres Leches Cake

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (5)

    A Latin American classic meets Indian flavors in this lovely reimagining of tres leches cake. Infuse a condensed milk syrup with spices and pour it over the sponge cake for a decadent dessert that's practically inhaleable.

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  • Thai Iced Tea (Cha Yen)

    Contributor Lany Phlong tells us that in Thailand, this refreshing drink is not made at home; instead, people buy it from street vendors as a part of their daily routine. But outside of Thailand, a restaurant is not your only point of access. Make it at home for a fresher drink that'll make a big dip in your weekly beverage budget.

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  • 3-Ingredient No-Churn Ice Cream

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (7)

    We don't want to bum you out with a spoiler, but condensed milk and two common ingredients (okay, it's chilled cream and vanilla) come together for an ice cream that adults and kids likewise can pull off with very little active time.

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    Continue to 5 of 21 below.

  • No-Cook Banana Pudding

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (8)

    Before this, my favorite banana pudding recipe was a tour de force involving many pans, bowls, and whisks. But this dead clever version has me rethinking my strategy. Condensed milk makes it all possible.

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  • Key Lime Bars

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (9)

    If you want key lime pie but need to feed a crowd, here's your answer. Because doesn't everyone want seconds of key lime pie anyway?

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  • Cassava Cake

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (10)

    "Cassava cake is a scrumptious snack or dessert," writes Berry Ann Quirino in this special family recipe. "At a Filipino party, you’ll likely find it at the center of the table with other goodies." Betty Ann uses frozen pre-shredded cassava and coconut for ease. Condensed milk makes the cake custardy and rich.

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  • Horchata

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (11)

    Traditionally, condensed milk isn't part of this cooling Mexican drink, but in this recipe it sweetens the horchata and adds that certain something.

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    Continue to 9 of 21 below.

  • 7-Layer Magic Bars

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (12)

    A fixture of holiday cookie trays, these morsel-packed bars go by a few names, including Hello Dollys. Condensed milk is the glue that melds the chips, coconut, and nuts over the graham cracker base.

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  • Peanut Butter Pretzel Magic Bars

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (13)

    A magic bar variation with peanut butter plus salty and crunchy pretzels? It just might supersede the traditional version of magic bars.

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  • Chocolate Tres Leches Cake

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (14)

    Chocolate pervades every layer of this suave and sexy tres leches cake.

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  • No-Churn Peach Cobbler Ice Cream

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (15)

    We don't need no stinkin' ice cream makers! It's peach cobbler a la mode, all in one super-simple dessert.

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    Continue to 13 of 21 below.

  • 3-Ingredient Limonada

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (16)

    A blender and five minutes are all you need to make this South American drink to quench your thirst when it's hot and balmy. Blend the lime—peel and all—with water, sugar, and condensed milk, then strain and serve over ice.

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  • 2-Ingredient Hot Fudge

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (17)

    A microwave. Chopped chocolate. Condensed milk. The best ice cream sundaes ever are just minutes away.

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  • Lemon Icebox Pie

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (18)

    The graham cracker crust and lemony custard filling get a quick stint in the oven, and then bam! Add whipped cream, chill, and this beauty is done.

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  • No-Churn Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (19)

    The boots-and-sweaters crowd often eagerly awaits the arrival of fall so they can indulge in their favorite seasonal delights. But really, is there ever a wrong time for pumpkin spice? We say no.

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    Continue to 17 of 21 below.

  • The Best Key Lime Pie

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (20)

    I know a few people who annually forgo birthday cake in favor of key lime pie. Considering the charms of this creamy, sweet, and tart classic, I endorse their preference one hundred percent.

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  • Pumpkin and Coconut Ladoo

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (21)

    Contributor Karishma Pradhan married a traditional Indian dessert with winter squash inspired by her New England home. Ladoos can vary in character; these are creamy and fudgy, almost like bon bons.

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  • Banoffee Pie

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (22)

    In the classification of low-lift pies, banoffee pie is the UK's counterpart to key lime pie...only with a completely different flavor profile. A layer of dulce de leche (the Latin American caramelized condensed milk that you can buy ready-made in cans) sets off the sliced fresh bananas and whipped cream.

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  • Coquito

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (23)

    Christmas is the time when Puerto Ricans bust out this chilled, spiced punch made with condensed milk, cream of coconut, and (of course) rum.

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    Continue to 21 of 21 below.

  • Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

    21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (24)

    Yes, you can make your own condensed milk! It takes a bit of time but the ingredient list is short, and the results will make you rethink the canned version. It shines in a cup of hot coffee or our Thai iced tea recipe.

    Get Recipe

21 Easy Condensed Milk Recipes That You've Got to Try (2024)

FAQs

What candy is made from condensed milk? ›

Candies. Sweetened condensed milk is used in macaroons, truffles, clusters, and balls of ooey-gooey, sweet-creamy delicious bites that are easy to make.

Why do you add baking soda to condensed milk? ›

Baking Soda will make the Milk thick and give creamy texture. Condensed Milk is ready. It is thick and creamy. Cool down to room temperature.

What happens when you whip condensed milk? ›

Can condensed milk be whipped like cream? Yes, condensed milk can be whipped to create a creamy, fluffy texture similar to whipped cream. This makes it a great alternative for those who are lactose intolerant or looking for a dairy-free option.

Is it OK to drink a can of condensed milk? ›

Can I drink sweetened condensed milk? It is a ready-to-use product so it may be consumed without any other preparation. You can add it to everyday items like in your coffee, on toast with cinnamon, on fruit or yogurt, and in any way you see fit.

Can you make drinking milk out of sweetened condensed milk? ›

Condensed milk cannot be directly converted into whole milk. Whole milk is basically regular milk that contains about 3.5% fat. On the other hand, condensed milk is made by removing water from regular milk and adding sugar. To get whole milk, you may need to dilute the condensed milk with an equal amount of water.

What does condensed milk turn into? ›

What you make out of condensed milk is dulce de leche. It's often called caramel or toffee, but it's not really either. The recipe is trivial: pour the condensed milk in a pan. Heat it over low heat, stirring continuously, until it turns into dulce de leche.

What goes good with condensed milk? ›

Ways to Use Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • Make a latte or iced coffee: This one might be obvious, but sweetened condensed milk is the perfect way to make a deliciously sweet and creamy latte or iced coffee.
  • Spread it on a pastry, toast, or a croissant (especially our Mocha Creamer!)
  • Drizzle on oatmeal.
Aug 16, 2023

What is caramelized condensed milk called? ›

Dulce de leche (Spanish: [ˈdulse ðe ˈletʃe, ˈdulθe]), caramelized milk, manjar, milk candy or milk jam is a confection popular in Latin America, France, Poland and the Philippines prepared by slowly heating sugar and milk over a period of several hours.

Why does condensed milk turn brown? ›

The milk undergoes Maillard Reaction to produce a brown color. It creates a flavor and changes the color. The reaction generally occurs between reducing sugar and amino acid and requires heat. It does not require the use of any type of enzyme similar to the caramelization procedure.

What does milk and baking soda make? ›

When added to milk, which is slightly acidic, baking soda can help raise the pH level, making the milk more alkaline. This can be useful in certain culinary applications or recipes that require a higher pH. It can also help neutralize acidic flavors in dishes.

How to make butter with condensed milk? ›

It is not possible to turn a can of evaporated milk into butter because evaporated milk does not contain enough fat to make butter. Butter is made from cream, which has a high fat content (around 35-40%).

Why would someone drink condensed milk? ›

Provides Extra Calories and Protein

Using sweetened condensed milk to boost calorie content may be more beneficial than using sugar alone since the product also provides extra protein, fat and some bone-healthy minerals like calcium and phosphorus.

Can I freeze condensed milk? ›

Condensed milk can be frozen although it will not freeze solid due to its high sugar content. This means it does not need to be thawed after usage although the texture does thicken and becomes more viscous after freezing. Frozen condensed milk should be used within three to six months for better results.

Why is condensed milk not advisable? ›

Evaporated milk has added sugar and carbohydrates which are very high, making sweetened condensed milk not healthy for nutritional intake for babies and children, Ali explained.

How long does condensed milk last in fridge? ›

Once you open a can of condensed milk, plan to use it within a week for optimal freshness. However, it'll likely stay good for 2-3 weeks in the fridge.

What does boiling a can of condensed milk do? ›

Boiling condensed milk in the can transforms it into a rich and creamy caramel-like spread called dulce de leche. It is a popular ingredient in various desserts and can be enjoyed on its own as well.

References

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