Sweetened Condensed Milk
Milk concentrated like evaporated milk but with sugar added, making a thick, sweet syrup. It is canned and shelf-stable until opened.
| Category | Milk & Cream |
|---|---|
| Maker / Origin | United States |
| Storage | Store cans in a cool, dry pantry. Transfer leftovers to a sealed jar in the fridge after opening. |
| Shelf life | Unopened cans keep about a year in the pantry. Once opened, refrigerate and use within about 2 weeks. |
| Best uses | Key lime pie, magic bars, fudge, tres leches, Thai and Vietnamese iced coffee. |
| Substitutes | Evaporated milk plus sugar for baking, adjusted to taste. |
| Pairings | Key lime pie, Vietnamese coffee, tres leches, and dulce de leche. |
| Last checked | October 18, 2026 |
About it
Condensed milk sweetened a pre-refrigeration world: Gail Borden patented it in 1856, and Civil War orders made it famous. The sugar preserves it, and its syrupy body builds candies and pies that fresh milk cannot without long cooking.
Storing it
It thickens further when cold. Do not freeze it in the can. A can simmered unopened becomes dulce de leche, a traditional use.
Using it
Use sweetened condensed milk as both milk and sugar in recipes. In coffee drinks it is stirred in hot or poured over ice.
Swaps & pairings
Evaporated milk with about a cup of sugar per can approximates it in recipes. Coconut condensed milk is the common non-dairy version.
More from this maker: United States