Sweetened Condensed Milk
Thick, sweet canned milk with 60% of water removed and heavily sweetened with sugar, ideal for fudges.
1 Can (14 oz) = 396g • Viscous fluid, contains ~45% sugar by weight
Sweetened condensed milk is a thick, sticky, and exceptionally sweet canned dairy product. Like evaporated milk, it is made by evaporating about 60% of the water from fresh milk under vacuum. However, condensed milk differs because it is heavily sweetened with sucrose (sugar), which accounts for approximately 40% to 45% of its total weight. This high sugar concentration acts as an effective preservative, preventing bacterial growth and allowing the milk to keep for long periods without refrigeration. The combination of milk proteins and concentrated sugar caramelizes during sterilization, yielding a rich, amber hue and a deep caramel flavor.
Because of its unique viscosity and sugar content, sweetened condensed milk is the key ingredient in fudge, key lime pie, caramel bars, and Vietnamese iced coffee. It cannot be whipped, and it cannot be used as a substitute for regular milk or evaporated milk without drastically throwing off the recipe sugar levels.
Substituting evaporated milk for sweetened condensed milk in fudge or key lime pie. Without the sugar and thick texture, the dessert will remain watery and fail to set.
Standard globally. In Latin America, boiling unopened cans of condensed milk in water for hours produces dulce de leche, a rich caramel spread.
Essential for quick fudges, key lime pies, lemon icebox pies, caramel layers, and sweetening coffee drinks.
1 cup sweetened condensed milk = 3/4 cup evaporated milk + 3/4 cup granulated sugar (heated until sugar dissolves).
Keep unopened cans in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. Refrigerate opened leftovers in a glass jar for up to 2 weeks.