Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk — Rich & Creamy
Desserts

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk — Rich & Creamy

ML
By Marie Lefebvre · Updated October 11, 2026

Skip the can and make your own luscious sweetened condensed milk from scratch — it's easier than you think and tastes worlds better. Made with just four pantry staples, this silky golden cream is free from preservatives and packed with real dairy flavor. Perfect for baking, drizzling over desserts, or stirring into your morning coffee.

Prep⏱️ 90 min
Servings👥 20 servings
Difficulty📊 Easy
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🛒 Ingredients

20 servings

20
  • 1 kg (2¼ cups) granulated white sugar
  • 2 liters (8½ cups) whole milk
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, extra
  • 4 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 6 tablespoons whole milk powder

Directions

  1. 1

    Combine the sugar and 2 liters of whole milk in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat over the lowest possible flame, stirring occasionally, for approximately 1 hour until noticeably reduced.

  2. 2

    Stay near the stove throughout the heating process — milk can boil over quickly once it reaches temperature. Do not leave the kitchen unattended.

  3. 3

    Old-fashioned trick: place an upside-down small saucer on the bottom of the pot. It disrupts the boiling action and prevents the mixture from spilling over.

  4. 4

    In a blender, combine the cornstarch, remaining 1 cup of milk, and powdered milk. Blend on medium speed until completely smooth with no lumps.

  5. 5

    Pour the blended mixture into the saucepan in a thin stream, stirring constantly. Continue cooking over low heat, stirring without stopping, until the mixture thickens and turns a light golden color, about 5 more minutes.

  6. 6

    Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10–15 minutes. Transfer to a blender and blend at full speed for 5 minutes until the texture is perfectly silky and uniform.

  7. 7

    Sterilize glass jars by rinsing them with boiling water and drying thoroughly before use to prevent bacterial growth.

  8. 8

    Pour the finished condensed milk into the sterilized jars, seal tightly, and let cool completely before refrigerating. Keeps for up to one week.

💡 Chef's Tip

For the smoothest possible result, strain the finished condensed milk through a fine-mesh sieve before jarring. Always use whole milk — reduced-fat milk won't deliver the same richness. For a vanilla twist, steep a split vanilla bean in the milk during the first cooking stage.