Sweetened Condensed Milk is a thick, sweet milk product made by removing most of the water content from milk and adding sugar. It has a rich, creamy texture and is much sweeter than regular milk. This product is often used in baking, desserts, and beverages because of its sweetness and consistency. It’s a key ingredient in many recipes like fudge, pies, and no-bake desserts.
Here’s a quick breakdown of sweetened condensed milk:
Ingredients:
- Whole milk
- Sugar (usually around 40-45% of the volume of milk)
Process:
- Evaporation: The milk is heated to evaporate about 60% of its water content.
- Sweetening: Sugar is added, which helps preserve the milk and makes it thicker and sweeter.
- Canning or Bottling: Once the mixture has reached the desired consistency, it’s cooled and canned or bottled.
Common Uses:
- Baking: Used in cakes, cookies, and pie fillings.
- Candies and Desserts: A key ingredient in fudge, caramel, and dulce de leche.
- Drinks: Used in beverages like Thai iced tea or coffee.
- No-bake Desserts: Often used in recipes for easy pies, cheesecakes, or fruit salads.
Substitutes:
If you don’t have sweetened condensed milk on hand, you can substitute it with the following options:
- Homemade version: Mix 1 cup of milk with 1 1/4 cups of sugar, simmer until thickened, and cool.
- Evaporated milk and sugar: Combine evaporated milk with sugar (about 1 cup of evaporated milk + 1 cup sugar) and simmer until thickened.
Sweetened condensed milk’s rich texture and sweetness make it a beloved ingredient in many recipes, from simple treats to more complex desserts.