Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe from Milk Powder
Milk powder, water and sugar slowly reduce to a spoonable sweet milk syrup.
Milk powder, water and sugar slowly reduce to a spoonable sweet milk syrup. It thickens further as it cools, so stop when a cooled drop holds a soft mound rather than cooking it until stiff in the pan. Stir often and scrape the base to prevent scorching. This homemade version needs refrigeration; sealed jars and home autoclaving do not make this recipe shelf stable. Whisk milk powder into cool water a little at a time until smooth; strain if lumps remain. Stir in sugar and optional vanilla sugar in a wide, heavy saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cook uncovered over low heat 75 to 100 minutes, stirring often and scraping the base, until thickened and reduced substantially.
Recipe card
Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe from Milk Powder
Equipment: Mixing bowls, measuring tools, scale and appropriate baking pan or appliance
Ingredients
Instructions
Dissolve
Whisk milk powder into cool water a little at a time until smooth; strain if lumps remain.
Sugar
Stir in sugar and optional vanilla sugar in a wide, heavy saucepan.
Reduce
Bring to a gentle simmer, then cook uncovered over low heat 75 to 100 minutes, stirring often and scraping the base, until thickened and reduced substantially.
Test
Cool a small drop on a plate for 1 minute; it should be syrupy and mound softly, since it thickens further in the refrigerator.
Chill
Pour into a clean shallow container, cool quickly and refrigerate promptly; never seal for pantry storage.
How to tell when it is ready
Pour into a clean shallow container, cool quickly and refrigerate promptly; never seal for pantry storage.
Tips
- Whisk milk powder into cool water a little at a time until smooth.
- Stir in sugar and optional vanilla sugar in a wide, heavy saucepan.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, then cook uncovered over low heat 75 to 100 minutes, stirring often and scraping the base, until thickened and reduced substantially.
- Cool a small drop on a plate for 1 minute.
Troubleshooting
- If grainy, whisk while warm and strain gently.
- If runny when cold, simmer a little longer before chilling.
Substitutions
- Use a comparable whole milk powder for the same weight.
- Use plain granulated sugar rather than vanilla sugar for a neutral finish.
Variations
- Add vanilla sugar for aroma.
- Whisk a little cocoa into the finished warm syrup.
Serving suggestions
- Drizzle over pancakes.
- Stir a spoon into coffee.
- Spread thinly on waffles.
- Use as a chilled dessert topping.
Make ahead
Prepare the measured ingredients in advance. Refrigerate in a covered container and use within 4 days; do not can or store on a shelf.
Storage
Refrigerate in a covered container and use within 4 days; do not can or store on a shelf.
Food safety
Homemade dairy concentrate is perishable; the source autoclave direction is not a validated home-canning method.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know homemade sweetened condensed milk from milk powder is ready?
Pour into a clean shallow container, cool quickly and refrigerate promptly; never seal for pantry storage.
How should I store homemade sweetened condensed milk from milk powder?
Refrigerate in a covered container and use within 4 days; do not can or store on a shelf.
Drizzle over pancakes. Refrigerate in a covered container and use within 4 days; do not can or store on a shelf.
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