How to Make Caramel from Sweetened Condensed Milk
Wanna know how to make caramel from Sweetened Condensed Milk? Read my tips below on how to make the easiest caramel you will ever make and it is beyond delicious!
Ahhh…the endless possibilities that come with a can of that wonderful Sweetened Condensed Milk. Just when we thought we had come up with each and every possible delicious recipe to use this delectable sweet milk in, we find another use for it….cooking it until it turns into the most delectable creamy caramel. If you’ve never cooked a can of Sweetened Condensed milk until it magically turns into caramel, you don’t know what you’ve been missing. I’m here to show you just how easy it is…
First things first…you can use either type of can of milk for this recipe, (solid or with tabs). I use the cans with tabs all the time and I have never had one explode.
Here’s how I cooked this wonderful stuff…
In these pictures, I cooked two cans of milk at one time. I was making a double batch of my latest recipe. I’ll share that with you in a minute. Here’s what I did first. I removed the paper labels from the cans and placed the cans in a large pot of water. It does not matter if you use a can like the one on the left or one with a tab like on the right. I set these cans upright in the water for illustration purposes only. You should not leave the cans upright like these…
I placed the cans on their sides and made sure I covered them with at least two inches of water. I brought the water to a boil over high heat and then turned it down to medium. I made sure the water kept boiling and the water level stayed above the cans throughout the entire cooking process…
I cooked the milk for 2 hours and removed it from the hot water. I set it on a towel for about an hour to slightly cool…then I placed it in my refrigerator to finish cooling. Note: It’s important to not open a can of cooked milk while it is hot, or it will explode and run down the sides of the can…
And yes…this is the wonderful stuff that the cooked milk turned into. Yummy!
Oh yes…let me tell ya about my latest recipe creation that I used this wonderful stuff in. I created a Salted Caramel Brownie recipe, using an entire can of cooked Sweetened Condensed milk. I have to say that this is one of my best recipe creations ever. Chocolate and caramel should be married!!
Get cookin…milk that is!!!
Sounds so good. Thanks I will try this
Hi. Does this sauce harden after it cools? I’m wondering if it could be used to decorate cake pops and such.
Hi Yasmin,
No, it doesn’t. I don’t suggest using this on cake pops. It will not firm up enough. Happy Holidays!!
Cindy
Can condensed COCONUT MILK be used instead of regular condensed cow’s milk?
Hi Renee,
That’s a good question and one I honestly can’t answer. In baking, you can use both the same. However, if you’re cooking it down to make caramel, I’m not sure as I’ve never tested it. If you test it, please let us know how it turns out. Happy Holidays!
Cindy
How long would this stay in the fridge? And do you think this is easy to reheat?
Hi Savannah,
It will easily keep a couple of weeks in the fridge. If you reheat it, do it in 30 second intervals in the microwave.
Cindy
Eeks are u not concerned about the aluminum can giving off toxins into ur caramel when heating it.. I’m even paranoid buying food in cans. Would it not work taking it out of the cans into a sauce pan and cook it on the stove?
Hi Betty, I don’t have the specifics, but I have seen Martha Stewart do it that way. I believe it took about 4 to 5 hours.
The cans are made of steel, not aluminum, so no worries. 🙂 (Soft drinks cans are usually aluminum, which is an additional reason to avoid soft drinks and beer.)
I’ve made this a few times when my kids were to younger and let me tell you it’s the best Carmel I’ve ever tasted. It 2as always a hit. You have to try this. Sometimes it needed a goid stir.
Is it good for carmel apples?
Hi Ruth, I haven’t used it for caramel apples. It works great as a dip for caramel apples, but I don’t know if it would stay on the apples without running off.
Will fat free condensed milk work?
Hi Allison, Yes it just won’t be as rich. This makes a great dipping caramel, but I don’t recommend using it for caramel apples. I believe it would run off the apple.
Can you mix it with popcorn?
Hi Melissa, I haven’t mixed this with popcorn. However, unless you bake it in the oven for a while it would be very sticky.
I love it I tried for the first time tonight and it’s the best caramel sauce at folded for 2 hours later on the side make sure it was fully emerged in the water took it out let it sit on the counter for about an hour pulled it off opened it up and it’s amazing great recipe will be my go-to from here on out!!!!
My results didn’t taste very much like Carmel and I cooked it fifteen minutes longer to be sure.
Disappointed!
I love making this, it really does taste better than store bought topping. I would rather 7se this instead of buying it. Kim
If you don’t want to use it right away, can you just put it back on the shelf and use it when you need it or do you have to open it after it cools?
Hi Ren, I don’t suggest putting it back in your pantry after cooking it. You can place it in a bowl with a lid and refrigerate it for several days.