Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe -- DIY! (2024)

By Karrie on April 16, 2014 | Updated July 2, 2019 | 27 Comments

Have you ever been in the middle of making a killer dessert when all of a sudden you have that moment? You know, the “Oh crap. I thought I had that ingredient, but looks like I don’t,” moment? And typically it comes at a point in the recipe when you have to add it RIGHT NOW or the whole thing will be blown?

Sweetened condensed milk is that ingredient for me every. single. time.

You’d think I’d learn and just pick up a can whenever I’m at the store. Often I have good intentions, but then I see the price and sticker shock sinks in and I think, “Hmm self,… maybe next week it will be on sale and I’ll grab it then.” And then I don’t.

Recently I discovered I never have to buy it again. Ever. Who knew sweetened condensed milk was so quick and easy to make?

I’ve tried several different recipes and this one is the best, hands down. It’s just as rich and creamy as the original and I’ve never had any issues subbing it for its canned equivalent.

And also, you might find me hiding in the pantry licking the bowl.

1/3 C boiling water
4 T butter
¾ C sugar
½ tsp vanilla
1 C powdered milk

Note: In the picture, there is an entire cube of butter. You only need 4 tablespoons for this recipe.

Directions

In a medium bowl, pour boiling water over butter. Add sugar and vanilla and mix well with an electric beater. Add powdered milk and mix until smooth. Pour into container of choice. Makes the equivalent of a 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Here’s the consistency right after I added the powdered milk:

And here it is, less than a minute later being poured into my mason jar:

I’m sure this would work equally well in a saucepan on the stove. Just bring the water to a boil and add butter, sugar, and vanilla. Mix well with electric mixer and then add your powdered milk. Mix until smooth.

I’ve also heard that sucanat subs beautifully for the sugar. We tend to eat whole, unprocessed foods for most of our meals, so I don’t feel too guilty using white sugar for a special dessert every now and then.

I used mine for a dulce de leche trifle, and used the leftovers for some dulce de leche hot chocolate when we had a random spring snow storm the other day. The options are endless!

So, how does the price stack up against store bought sweetened condensed milk?

Water: free
Sugar : $0.24
Powdered Milk: $0.85
Butter: $0.25
Vanilla: $0.04

Total Cost: $1.38

At my local grocery store, Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk costs $2.60, so that’s a 47% savings.

Homemade for the win!

Recipe Card

5 from 2 votes

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Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

Published By Karrie

Course condiment, Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword diy, sweetened condensed milk

Servings 4

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Never run out of sweetened condensed milk again - make it yourself!

Ingredients

▢ 1/3 cup boiling water
▢ 4 tbsp butter
▢ ¾ cup sugar
▢ ½ tsp vanilla
▢ 1 cup powdered milk

Instructions

In a medium bowl, pour boiling water over butter. Add sugar and vanilla and mix well with an electric beater. Add powdered milk and mix until smooth. Pour into container of choice. Makes the equivalent of a 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

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About Karrie

Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...

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Comments & Reviews

Joan E Vang says
April 18, 2022

Could I use Swerve or Erythritol?
Reply
- Happy-Money-Saver says
  April 25, 2022
  
  I haven’t tried it before – sorry!
  Reply
Nunu says
October 22, 2020

I tried it on the stove as you suggested and it worked perfectly. I whisked it with an egg whisk and then poured the mixture into the blender and added the powdered milk and gave it a whirl. So easy and quick.
Reply
Brittney Marie Pagan says
October 21, 2020

SOOO EASY! I love the simplicity.
Reply
Rebecca says
April 16, 2020

Hi there.
Did anyone else have issues with lumps?
I followed the directions exactly.
Will they smooth out? I mixed it for 5 minutes with my electric mixer.
Thanks
Reply
MiTmite( says
June 4, 2018

This was so easy to make. Now I am going to try a macaroon recipe. I have baked all kinds of things over the past 50+ years but never made my own macaroons. You have no idea how happy I am to be able to make my own sweetened condensed milk. Guess where I nabbed the milk powder (something we don’t normally stock in our pantry)? Got it out of our emergency preparedness kit. Hahaha. The sweetened condensed milk was made with all organic ingredients (except for the milk powder—-next time that will change). For the milk and macaroons I am using Trader Joe’s organic sugar, organic eggs, organic coconut and then the organic vanilla is from the local healthfood store. These will be dynamite macaroons. So tempted to dip them in melted chocolate, but I do not have any organic chocolate on hand. Darn.
Reply
- MiTmite9 says
  June 4, 2018
  
  Oops. MiTmite9 again: I forgot to say THANK YOU for posting this great recipe.
  See Also
  Spinach Gratin Recipe on Food52
  Reply
  - Karrie says
    June 6, 2018
    
    Welcome!!!
Ashley says
August 29, 2016

Could you use coconut sugar?
Reply
- Joan E Vang says
  April 18, 2022
  
  I’m hoping to use Swerve?
  Reply
Jenni says
January 31, 2016

This was SO EASY!!! Thank you! I am now off to enjoy my decadent cup of coffee. 🙂
Reply
Jennifer says
January 30, 2016

Oh my goodness, thank you so much!! Now I can make my own coffee creamer!
Reply
Paula Montgomery says
January 1, 2016

How long of a shelf life?
Reply
- Jenni says
  January 31, 2016
  
  She said that it lasts one week refrigerated. 🙂
  Reply
Lorraine says
September 16, 2015

Thank you for the condensed milk recipe. I was at home feeling down because my legs were to sore to go shopping and I saw this recipe for condensed milk and decided to cheer myself up and use your recipe to make a banoffee pie for a treat. No more paying £1.50 for a tin and yours seems to taste better too
Lorraine Baff
Scotland
Reply
- Happy.MoneySaver says
  September 16, 2015
  
  I am so glad that it helped you. I love being able to make a product from home and not have to go to the store. I agree it does taste a lot better homemade!
  Reply
Adrianne says
April 18, 2015

Brilliant.
Reply
Susan says
February 6, 2015

Just wondering if you could can the sweetened condensed milk? Would like to put some up for later use…
Reply
- Happy.MoneySaver says
  February 6, 2015
  
  I haven’t tried it yet but if you do let me know!
  Reply
Sara says
December 22, 2014

Would using a sugar substitute such as splenda work for this recipe?
Reply
- Karrie says
  December 27, 2014
  
  Not sure, some of those sugar substitutes are a different consistency and might add a different flavor, but give it a try and let me know what you think.
  Reply
Kim says
November 16, 2014

Silly question, but salted or unsalted butter? I never have a reason to buy unsalted butter. Is this it?
Reply
- Happy.MoneySaver says
  November 16, 2014
  
  I used salted butter but I think either could work!
  Reply
Chin says
September 5, 2014

Hi! I was wondering if you can tell me at what temperature do you consider the water boiling? Is it when it starts bubbling? Is there a way to make it last longer than 1 week? I really want to try to make this because I bake a lot that requires condensed milk and any savings will be great. Thank you for posting this!!! 🙂
Reply
- Happy.MoneySaver says
  September 6, 2014
  
  Technically the boiling point of water is 100°C or 212° F. I watch for rapid bubbles of the water. For this recipe it boils quickly because it is such a small amount.
  I haven’t found a way to increase the time to make it last longer!
  Reply
mary says
April 16, 2014

I always wanted to know how to make this, I’m glad you found and shared the recipe. Now my A. can make her syrup recipe without me buying anything ahead of time!
Reply
Liz says
April 16, 2014

Thank you for the sweetened condensed milk recipe.
I noticed you buy your powdered milk thru Amazon.
I just wanted to let you know that I buy mine at Wal-Mart.
I am not sure of the cost, but I do think it is less expensive at Wal-Mart.
They have a special section in store for dehydrated foods all are Augason Farms brand.
Also you can order online with no shipping if you spend $45. You can even have it shipped to your home. Sometimes they have sales online on the dehydrated foods ie.. Morning Moo Milk.
Anyway, you may have know some of this, just thought I would share with you.
I enjoy your site keep it going.
We also have chickens and have enjoyed you experiences. I have to chuckle at some as we have experienced some of the same things you have.
Brings a little cheer into our lives.
Thanks again.
Liz
Reply