Ingredients
Sweetened condensed milk can be combined with a variety of ingredients to make desserts. Here’s a breakdown of common ingredients used in the recipes mentioned:
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Butter
- Chocolate chips (semi-sweet, dark, or milk chocolate)
- Marshmallows (miniature or regular)
- Cream cheese
- Whipped cream
- Graham crackers (for pie crust)
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- Fresh fruit (for fruit purees or toppings)
- Pecans, almonds, or other nuts (for fudge or candy)
- Heavy cream (for frosting or caramel)
- Cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- Egg whites (for meringue or fluffier textures)
Instructions
-
Smooth Fillings and Frostings (Russian Buttercream):
- Beat butter for 8 minutes until fluffy.
- Gradually add room-temperature sweetened condensed milk.
- Use for frosting cakes or cupcakes.
-
Perfect Fudge:
- Melt chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and a pinch of salt in a saucepan.
- Line the pan with wax paper for easy removal.
- Chill the mixture for 2 hours, then cut into squares.
-
No-Bake Cream Cheese Pie:
- Soften cream cheese and beat until smooth.
- Add sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and lemon juice.
- Pour into a prepared pie crust and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
-
Caramel from Sweetened Condensed Milk (Dulce de Leche):
- Pressure cooker: Cook for 35 minutes under pressure for smooth, thick caramel.
- Slow cooker: Simmer for 8 hours for a thicker result.
- Stovetop: Simmer an unopened can for 3 hours, ensuring it’s fully submerged in water.
- Oven: Bake in a covered dish at 425°F for 1-1.5 hours.
Notes
- Storage:
- No-bake pies last up to a week in the fridge, or up to 3 months in the freezer.
- Fudge stays fresh at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- Caramel (Dulce de Leche) lasts up to 1 month in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer.
- Flavor Variations:
- Try adding flavored extracts (like orange or almond) to frosting or fudge.
- Blend fresh fruit for pies or add nuts for texture in fudge.
- Temperature Tips:
- Always store sweetened condensed milk at room temperature unless otherwise specified.
- When working with chilled condensed milk, let it warm up slightly for easier incorporation.
- Advanced Tips:
- Double your fudge recipe and use a larger pan (9×13 inch) for optimal thickness.
- Use dulce de leche instead of regular condensed milk in macarons for an improved texture.
- Prep Time: For basic fudge or pies: 10-15 minutes. For caramel: 3 hours (traditional stovetop method).
- Cook Time: Fudge: 2 hours for chilling. No-bake pies: 4 hours to chill. Caramel: 35 minutes in a pressure cooker; 8 hours in a slow cooker.
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake Stovetop Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian