At face value, sweetened condensed milk is a pantry staple, a no-frills can with old-fashioned labeling and no marketing gimmicks. It's understated, but sweetened condensed milk doesn't need anything more because what's inside is so perfect: a dreamy combination of creamy and sweet that we just love to cook with in our test kitchen. A key ingredient in classic baked goods, this sweetened syrup lends chewy texture and toasty caramelized notes to our favorite new and old sweet recipes and is the key to our easiest homemade cheesecakes and ice creams. And when we have an open can, a drizzle in our coffee upgrades our morning ritual to an extra special treat. If you're curious to know more about why we love this underrated pantry ingredient, read on.
Need we say more? Condensed milk is the one ingredient you need for dulce de leche. Heat and time transform a can into Latin America's favorite thick and rich caramel sauce, dulce de leche. You don't even need to open the can! Just follow our DIY Dulce de Leche, then enjoy this versatile, spreadable caramel anyway you'd like—schmear it onto toast, spoon it over ice cream, swirl it into brownies or cheesecakes, sandwich some between cookies, or dip apple slices into it. You can't go wrong.
It Stars in the Most Irresistible Baked Goods
Underrated but definitely not underused, sweetened condensed milk is as much of a backbone in classic baking as sugar is. The thick syrup contributes both the sweetness of sugar and the benefits of milk without adding too much liquid since condensing milk removes moisture and concentrates the natural sugars. These sugars then take on toasty notes as they warm up and bake in the dessert. Try it in recipes like our Sweetened Condensed Milk Pound Cake, Everything Bars, Key Lime Pie, and Creamy Lemon Bars. To be a dessert star, it doesn't always need to be baked; condensed milk thickens and sweetens the milk sauce which is poured over a white cake in the classic Mexican dessert, Tres Leches.
It Can Be Used to Make an Easy Cheesecake
A classic cheesecake takes time and technique—sometimes we just don't want to go through the whole process. When that's the case, we evoke the flavors without the effort by making a No-Bake Cheesecake. The secret to a great no-bake cheesecake is lightening up cream cheese with sweetened condensed milk then spooning it into a crust and letting it set up in the fridge rather than oven. The result is a light and fluffy cheesecake that holds up when it is sliced. Keep it classic or try a flavor such as this No-Bake Key Lime Cheesecake.
It Creates Ice Cream Without Churning
Ice cream is is one of the greatest summer treats, and it's a whole lot easier to make at home when you use a no-churn recipe. This easy alternative utilizes the power of sweetened condensed milk and whipped cream to create a light and fluffy texture that freezes well and scoops even better, no ice cream maker required. For starters try our No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream or No-Churn Mint Chip.
It Makes for the Creamiest Beverages
Worthy enough of opening up a fresh can, but also a great use for anything left after a baking project, just a drizzle of sweetened condensed milk transforms coffee, tea, and non-caffeinated beverages into rich, creamy, and irresistible treats. The concentrated creaminess stirs nicely into both hot and cold beverages, try it in iced coffee, iced tea, and horchata.
The heating process gives condensed milk a caramel-like flavor, making it a wonderful ingredient to add to desserts and baked goods. Once the heating process is complete, what remains is a thick, smooth milk product that has a long shelf life if remained unopened – which won't be the case, trust us.
Due to the sugar addition, condensed milk is more durable than evaporated milk. The benefits of regular milk are boosted in condensed milk since it contains more sugar. Condensed milk is a good source of these nutrients in addition to calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin A, riboflavin, phosphorus, and protein.
At the time, refrigeration was nearly nonexistent. An alternative to fresh milk was needed—especially for parents looking for safe ways to feed their infants. In fact, the invention of canned milk led to a significant drop in infant mortality in the United States.
Condensed milk might not be the ideal option if we're trying to lose weight because it's high in calories and includes added sugar. A better option if we want to cut calories is evaporated milk. Condensed milk also includes lactose, which might be harmful to people who are lactose intolerant.
More than likely you might experience severe stomach cramps, have a huge sugar rush, vomit and/or experience diarrhea from the high sugar content. As wonderful as sweetened condensed milk tastes going down, it's quite another experience as your body tries to metabolize it.
Many countries in Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam and Cambodia, use condensed milk to flavor their hot or iced coffee. In Malaysia and Singapore, teh tarik is made from tea mixed with condensed milk, and condensed milk is an integral element in Hong Kong tea culture.
Can I drink sweetened condensed milk? It is a ready-to-use product so it may be consumed without any other preparation. You can add it to everyday items like in your coffee, on toast with cinnamon, on fruit or yogurt, and in any way you see fit.
The thick syrup contributes both the sweetness of sugar and the benefits of milk without adding too much liquid since condensing milk removes moisture and concentrates the natural sugars. These sugars then take on toasty notes as they warm up and bake in the dessert.
Sweetened condensed milk can last for several months when stored properly in the refrigerator or freezer. Once opened, it should be kept in an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator. If it's kept in the refrigerator, it should last for about 2-3 weeks.
It provides a concentrated creaminess and sweet, milky flavor to whatever you put it in, without all the excess moisture that you get from regular old milk. That makes it perfect for creamy things that you want to set to a near-solid, like key lime pie, fudge, frozen margarita pie, or caramel.
Thus, natural condensed milk has many useful properties inherent in fresh milk. Useful substances contained in condensed milk, improve brain function, strengthen bone tissue and a positive effect on cellular metabolism. One of the beneficial elements of condensed milk is calcium, which strengthens bones and teeth.
The extravagant item is a symbol of the material things they have lost, and the slow grind toward death they are on. The theme of the story is survival, especially emotional survival, as the prisoners try to find anything that keeps their spirit from dying along with their overworked and underfed bodies.
Can I drink sweetened condensed milk? It is a ready-to-use product so it may be consumed without any other preparation. You can add it to everyday items like in your coffee, on toast with cinnamon, on fruit or yogurt, and in any way you see fit.
Using sweetened condensed milk to boost calorie content may be more beneficial than using sugar alone since the product also provides extra protein, fat and some bone-healthy minerals like calcium and phosphorus. You can store sweetened condensed milk for a long time without refrigeration.
This shelf-stable product is a form of concentrated milk in which about 60 percent of the water content has been removed, after which sugar is added before canning. Condensed milk contains 40 to 45 percent sugar. It's rich and thick, with a caramel color and a super-sweet flavor.
Cream of coconut is a great substitute for sweetened condensed milk, giving a hint of tropical flavor. It's dairy-free and can be substituted cup for cup. The thick consistency of cream of coconut closely resembles sweetened condensed milk, allowing for similar richness in many recipes.
Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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