Sweetened condensed milk is a thick, sweet dairy product used in many desserts and sweets. It is made by removing most of the water from cow’s milk and adding sugar. This makes it very thick, sweet, and shelf-stable. When added to recipes, sweetened condensed milk can have a variety of effects on the final dish. Some of the main things it does are:
- Adds sweetness – The added sugar in sweetened condensed milk makes it very sweet. Just a small amount can make a dish much sweeter.
- Creates richness – The thick, velvety texture creates a rich mouthfeel in desserts.
- Imparts flavor – Along with sweetness, it also adds a milky, creamy flavor.
- Changes texture – It can make baked goods more dense and fudgy.
- Enhances moisture – The thickness helps retain moisture in cakes, cookies, and other baked goods.
- Browns and caramelizes – The sugar allows recipes to brown and caramelize more readily.
- Stabilizes whipped cream – A small amount mixed into heavy cream helps whipped cream stay fluffy longer.
The exact effects will vary depending on the specific recipe, ingredients, and amounts used. But in general, adding sweetened condensed milk tends to add sweetness, richness, moisture, texture, and flavor.
Adds Sweetness
One of the main effects of adding sweetened condensed milk is that it makes recipes much sweeter. Sweetened condensed milk contains a large amount of added sugar – around 40-45% of it is sugar. This is because in the production process, sugar is added to stabilize the milk proteins and prevent spoilage.
Even just a tablespoons or two of sweetened condensed milk can add significant sweetness to a recipe. It’s thicker and more concentrated than granulated sugar or simple syrup. This means you may be able to use less condensed milk than sugar to achieve the same level of sweetness.
Recipes that commonly use sweetened condensed milk specifically for extra sweetness include:
- Fudge
- Caramel
- Candies like coconut haystacks
- Frostings and fillings
- Frozen treats like ice cream and popsicles
- Chocolate confections like truffles
- Sweet pies like pumpkin or key lime pie
So if you want to make a recipe extra sweet without changing its structural integrity, adding some sweetened condensed milk can be an easy way to do it. Start with small amounts and adjust to taste.
Creates Richness
In addition to sweetness, sweetened condensed milk also lends a richness and velvety texture to desserts and sweets. This is due to its thick, concentrated milk proteins and high fat content.
Though sweetened condensed milk has 60% of the water removed, it still retains all the nutrients from the original milk – the fats, proteins, minerals, etc. This gives it a very rich, indulgent mouthfeel.
When added to recipes, sweetened condensed milk imparts this richness without thinning out or reducing the viscosity of a dish. Some examples of recipes it makes richer include:
- Pies – especially pumpkin, pecan, or chocolate pie
- Custards and puddings
- Milk-based sauces like caramel or chocolate sauce
- Ice cream, milkshakes, and other frozen desserts
- Cakes and cupcakes – it makes the crumb more moist
- Cookies like coconut macaroons or layered biscotti
- Fudgy brownies and blondies
The higher fat content compared to regular milk or cream also means that condensed milk can add richness without being overloadingly fatty or greasy. So for those looking to add decadence without as much fat, it can be an option.
Imparts Flavor
In addition to sweetness and richness, sweetened condensed milk also lends its own unique flavor. It tastes distinctly different from plain milk due to the effects of removing water and adding sugar.
Heating and concentrating milk proteins during processing causes slight changes to the milk’s flavor. It takes on a darker, almost caramelized taste.
The sugar also imparts subtle butterscotch, toffee, and caramel flavors as it interacts with the milk components during heating. This is especially noticeable in recipes using brown sugar rather than plain white granulated sugar.
Finally, the richness amplifies the inherent milky, creamy taste of the condensed milk. Altogether, these factors give it a distinctive flavor profile.
Recipes that benefit most from sweetened condensed milk’s signature flavor include:
- Caramel sauces, candies, and desserts
- Fudge and chocolate barks with butterscotch or caramel tones
- Milk-based puddings, custards, and ice cream
- Some cakes like tres leche or Hawaiian haupia cake
- Candy like dulce de leche or milk caramels
- Coconut haystacks, overload bars, and no-bake cookies
So in recipes where you want a rich, milky, caramel or butterscotch flavor, consider adding in some sweetened condensed milk. Start with small amounts to let its flavor shine through.
Changes Texture
The thickness of sweetened condensed milk also allows it to change the texture of baked goods and other desserts. This effect comes from condensed milk’s viscosity and moisture-retaining properties.
In cookies, condensed milk can create a chewy texture. The lactose and milk proteins hold onto moisture, creating a soft, chewy cookie crumb. Too much can make them overly dense and tough.
In brownies and cakes, it makes the crumb extra moist and fudgy. The sugars retain moisture while the fats create richness. This prevents a cake from drying out while giving it an ultra-soft, tender texture.
It can also be used to thicken up sauces and custards like homemade ice cream. The thick proteins help stabilize and add body to these desserts.
Some examples of recipes where sweetened condensed milk changes texture include:
- Chewy oatmeal, chocolate chip, or peanut butter cookies
- Fudgy brownies – especially ones with cream cheese swirls
- Tres leche cake and other Hispanic-style soaked cakes
- Thick caramel sauces and homemade ice cream variegates
- Pudding cakes or lava cakes with ooey-gooey middles
- No-churn ice creams for extra richness without eggs
When tweaking dessert textures, start by replacing just a small amount of other liquids or fats with condensed milk. Too much can make baked goods gummy.
Enhances Moistness
One of the most useful effects of adding sweetened condensed milk to recipes is that it keeps them extra moist. This moisture-enhancing effect comes in handy for both immediate eating and retaining freshness during storage.
Several factors allow condensed milk to keep recipes like cakes and cookies moist:
- Thick texture and viscosity traps moisture inside baked goods rather than letting it evaporate out.
- Humectant properties allow it to attract and pull in moisture from the air.
- Milk proteins and lactose retain moisture molecules.
- High sugar content binds to water.
- Fats coat starch molecules, preventing them from recrystallizing and drying out.
Some recipes that benefit from the moistening effect of sweetened condensed milk include:
- Cakes – especially sponge, chiffon, or butter-based ones
- Quick breads and banana bread
- Fudgy brownies or blondies
- Chocolate or caramel filled cookies
- Pumpkin, pecan, or fruit pies
- Refrigerator cookies for longer shelf life
- Homemade frozen yogurt and low-churn ice cream
When adapting recipes, it helps to reduce the amount of other dry ingredients slightly to account for the added moisture of condensed milk.
Browns and Caramelizes Readily
The high sugar content of sweetened condensed milk also causes it to brown and caramelize faster when heated. This effect allows it to create delicious caramelized, candied layers in desserts.
When sugars are heated to high temperatures, the molecules break down and form hundreds of complex, flavorful compounds through caramelization and the Maillard reaction.
Because condensed milk already has a high concentration of sugars, it reaches this point faster than plain milk or other liquids. This allows it to caramelize on pie fillings, fudges, candies, and more.
Some examples of recipes taking advantage of this easy-caramelizing effect include:
- Millionaire’s pie or other custard pies with caramelized topping
- Dulce de leche and cajeta candies and sauces
- Praline or pecan candies and brittles
- Caramel apples
- Baked goods with caramel swirls like caramel brownies
- Cracker candy brittles
- Caramel popcorn
To promote caramelization, cook condensed milk recipes at slightly higher temperatures than other dairy recipes – but watch carefully to prevent burning. The more brown you cook the milk, the more complex the flavors will become.
Stabilizes Whipped Cream
One final useful effect of sweetened condensed milk is that it helps stabilize whipped cream. This allows whipped cream to stay fluffy and stiff for longer periods of time without deflating or “weeping” liquid.
Heavy whipping cream on its own can start to break down shortly after whipping due to its relatively low protein and sugar content. As the foam structure starts to collapse, liquid leaks out.
Adding just 1-2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk per cup of cream before whipping gives the cream more stability. The sugars and proteins interact to strengthen the air bubbles and keep them inflated for hours.
Condensed milk also adds sweetness and flavor to whipped cream, while helping it hold its shape better when piped or sculpted.
It works especially well for:
- Toppings for cakes, pies, and desserts
- Filling for cream puffs and eclairs
- Frosting and decorations for cakes
- Hot chocolate and coffee toppings
- Fresh fruit desserts
For best results, use condensed milk in moderation in whipped cream – too much can make it too thick and greasy. Whip the cream well before adding other flavors to ensure maximum volume and stability.
Conclusion
Sweetened condensed milk is a handy ingredient to have in your baking toolbox. It can add powerful effects with just a small amount.
Mainly, it adds sweetness, richness, moisture, tenderness, and flavor to all kinds of desserts and sweets. It also caramelizes beautifully and stabilizes delicate whipped cream.
When tweaking your own recipes, start by substituting just a tablespoon or two of condensed milk in place of other sugars or fats. Add more if needed to achieve the desired consistency and flavor.
With its versatility, condensed milk can help improve the quality of homemade candies, cakes, cookies, pies, and much more! Just take care not to overdo it, as too much can make desserts cloyingly sweet or texture too dense.
In summary
- Sweetened condensed milk is thick and extra sweet
- It adds moisture, richness, and signature flavor to recipes
- Condensed milk changes texture, enhances moistness, and caramelizes quickly
- It stabilizes whipped cream for longer-lasting volume
- Start by subbing small amounts of condensed milk for sugar or fat
- Popular recipes include fudge, caramel, pies, cookies, and ice cream
So don’t be afraid to experiment with condensed milk to improve your desserts! Just a little goes a long way.