Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk {Refined Sugar Free} | Recipe at In Jennie's Kitchen

After making homemade evaporated milk last month, my mind wandered to sweetened condensed milk. In both cases, I only use each ingredient a few times a year, so used that as a way to justify the fillers and stabilizers (though there is one organic brand that does make a sweetened condensed milk with just milk and sugar). Now that I have homemade versions of each, I expect to use them more often. And yes, I’m hoping to try some dairy free versions, using my homemade almond milk. Stay tuned for more on that.

The reason I ultimately decided to make my own sweetened condensed milk is mainly because I wanted a refined sugar free version. Now, sugar is still sugar, and I’ll be the first to say that cutting back on all types has been essential in my weightloss and overall feeling much healthier from the inside out.

I’m still a mama, though, and have two ice cream loving kiddos. Earlier this year, I got into making easy, no churn ice creams, with sweetened condensed milk being one of the main ingredients. This new refined sugar free version uses maple syrup, resulting in a sweet treat I feel a little better about making. I’ll be sharing the recipe for my Maple Vanilla Ice Cream in the next few days, hopefully just in time to go with you pie for Thanksgiving (I can’t believe that’s already next week). I also used this sweetened condensed milk to make Pumpkin Pie Waffles. They are insanely good. That recipe is coming very soon, too!

As with making homemade evaporated milk, your slow cooker does all the work in making Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk.

Evaporated milk is the process whereby you reduced the water content of regular milk. Sweetened condensed milk is the same, except, you’ve well, added a sweetener. In this refined sugar free version, my homemade sweetened condensed milk recipe uses maple syrup, as I mentioned, which also means it has a distinctly maple syrup-like flavor, so keep than in mind when using it in recipes. I’m betting it would taste pretty darn delicious in your coffee, too.

Maple syrup is the star in this homemade sweetened condensed milk, instead of sugar. | In Jennie's Kitchen

Maple syrup is the star in this homemade sweetened condensed milk, instead of sugar. | In Jennie’s Kitchen

Seven Years Ago: No Cook Cranberry Salsa

Six Years Ago: Brown Butter Apple Pie

Five Years Ago: Spice Scented Cranberry Sauce

Four Years Ago: Coconut Custard Pie

Three Years Ago: Raspberry Croissant Bread Pudding

Two Years Ago: Pumpkin Slab Pie

One Year Ago: No-Roll Pie Crust

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk {Refined Sugar Free} | Recipe at In Jennie's Kitchen

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk {Refined Sugar Free} | Recipe at In Jennie's Kitchen

Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 9 hours
Total Time 9 hours 2 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 ½ cups whole milk
  • ¾ cup pure maple syrup
  • Slow cooker

Instructions
 

  • Before you begin, add 14 ounces of water to your slow cooker. Make a note of where the water line reaches (I use a ruler). This is where the milk level will be once your sweetened condensed milk is ready. Discard the water before setting up the milk in your slow cooker.
  • To make the sweetened condensed milk, add the milk & syrup to your slow cooker. Set it to HIGH, and let the milk cook down, uncovered, 8 to 10 hours, until it reaches the level you made note of with the water.
  • Once the sweetened condensed milk is ready, let it cool, and transfer to a glass jar. Store in the fridge until the sell by date of the milk you used to make it.

 

8 Comments

  • Leanne

    I might be missing something… when do I add the maple syrup? And if I add it before allowing them both to cook down to 14 ounces, I won’t end up with a pint and a half in the end.

  • Jennie

    No, it stays uncovered so the water can evaporate from the milk. I just edited the recipe to make that clear. 😉 xo-Jennie

  • Jennie

    As for personal thoughts, I think the honey would be too strong a flavor for me. If you love honey, though, then I think it would fine to make a refined sugar free sweetened condensed milk. xo-Jennie

  • Dania

    Hi Jenny,
    I don’t have a slow cooker, do you think it can work making it in the oven overnight?
    If so what temp you think will be best?
    Thank you! I really want to try and make it (for the ice cream…)

  • Jennie

    That is a very interesting question, Dania. I did a little research, and the average temperature for a slow cooker on high is 250F. I’ve never tested it in the oven, but I don’t see why you can’t try it this way, especially since the milk cooks uncovered. My guess would be to use a round or ceramic, oven-proof casserole, without the lid. Please do let us know if you give it a try. Can’t wait to hear! xo-Jennie