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This easy recipe for Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Substitute is super handy. It contains only two ingredients and some hot water. No cooking needed and it replaces the canned kind from the store. It’s perfect in a pinch!

A mason jar of sweetened condensed milk.

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This Substitute Sweetened Condensed Milk Saves the Day

The substitute sweetened condensed milk recipe is important for when you are in the mood to make a wonderful dessert and you open your pantry only to find you do not have sweetened condensed milk. It can easily be used as a substitute.

Why This Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe is a Keeper

The truly amazing part about this best sweetened condensed milk substitute recipe is that there is no need to even turn on the stove. Make in five minutes in one bowl!

15 Minutes: You can make this substitute condensed milk in less that 15 minutes.
Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry, it only takes two simple ingredients.
Adaptable: Can make it dairy free or low sugar if you like.
Makes Many Recipes: You can use this recipe to make homemade coffee creamer or many other dessert recipes.

If you’re looking for more dessert hack inspired recipes, try these How to Make Marshmallow Fluff, How to Make Jello and Homemade Pumpkin Spice Creamer.

Is dry milk and evaporated milk the same thing?

Yes and no. Each start out with the same ingredient, fresh milk. Powdered milk is made by completely evaporating water out of the milk. Evaporated milk leaves about 60 percent of the milk’s water.

However, while condensed milk and evaporated milk aren’t the same, you can use evaporated milk to make homemade sweetened condensed milk substitute. Add sugar (1 cup and a half) in a sauce pan and pour one 12-oz can of evaporated milk – making sure it’s combined with sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue to simmer on low heat, until it thickens slightly.

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Ingredient Notes for the Best Sweetened Condensed Milk with Powdered Milk

There are so many ways to adjust this recipe for this wonderful dessert recipe.

White Granulated Sugar: This is the base for the milk substitute.
Dry Milk: The recipe uses powdered milk is dehydrated whole milk.
Hot Water: The water has to be hot enough to dissolve the sugar and dry milk.

See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Variations and Substitutions for the Best Substitute for Sweetened Condensed Milk

A non dairy product or milk alternative is perfect for this creamy sweet milk.

Splenda: You can use sugar alternative to make sweetened condensed milk. Honey or maple syrup will also work.
Coconut Milk Powder: A good non dairy alternative.

Give this recipe a try in this condensed milk bread pudding. I think you’ll like it.

How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk

These are the basic steps for making sweetened condensed milk substitute. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Mixing a bowl of the sweetened condensed milk.

STEP 1: Combine the Milk and Sugar

Start by combining the dry milk, sugar and hot water in a medium bowl. Continue whisking until no clumps remain and it has completely dissolved.

STEP 2: Rest

Finally, allow to rest and thicken for about 10 minutes.

Recipe FAQs for DIY Sweetened Condensed Milk Substitute

This recipe thickens the more it cools. Therefore, letting it rest is a very important step.

Of course, there are many dairy-free substitutes in place of regular milk you can use such as almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, full-fat coconut milk or any other non-dairy milk for sweetened condensed milk alternative. The recipe works with nut milk or cow’s milk.

An open jar of the sweetened condensed milk.

Expert Tips for Making Substitute for Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe

Make your own sweetened condensed with these easy tips. You can use a vegan alterative or sugar substitute for the substitute for condensed milk.

Double Recipe: If you need more sweet condensed milk then double or even triple this recipe.
Coconut Cream: Use cream of coconut or almond milk for a sweetened condensed almond milk this if you like.
Cool: This recipe thickens the more it cools.
Store: Make sure to store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 days.

What to Serve with Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk/ More Quick Dessert Recipes with Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipes

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