How to Make Evaporated Milk from Powdered Milk (5 mins)
Traditional evaporated milk can take time to make with endless stirring, which can be very tiring. This quick, easy and effortless recipe for homemade evaporated milk with powdered milk will do the trick in just 5 minutes. With this method, you can make sweetened or unsweetened evaporated milk since you are in control of the sugar.
What is the difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk?
Both condensed milk and evaporated milk are reduced milk. Meaning, both have been cooked until almost 60% of the water content of the milk has evaporated or reduced. The main difference between the two is that condensed milk is always sweetened while evaporated milk is unsweetened.
About evaporated milk
Because most of the water content from evaporated milk is removed, the resulting milk is concentrated in flavor, darker in color and thicker than regular milk
Evaporated milk is perfect to use for soups instead of cream, over cereals, and in coffee or tea. Try evaporated milk instead of milk the next time you make French toast, waffles, mashed potatoes or Bechamel sauce.
You can also use it in recipes that call for condensed milk but want to reduce the sweetness without the caramel-like flavor. Evaporated milk works great in both sweet and savory recipes.
About this recipe
The traditional method – Truth be told, the traditional way to make evaporated milk takes hours. That’s because it requires taking (4 cups) milk and heating it on low heat, stirring often until it is reduced about 1/4 of its original volume (1 cup).
That usually would take like an hour or more. Also, you have to stir it frequently so it does not touch the bottom of the pan and get burnt.
The quick method – Thanks to modern technology and the availability of milk powder you can make evaporated milk in 5 minutes. So, basically what we are doing is instead of heating the milk and evaporating all the liquid we are instead adding the powdered milk, w
Let’s talk ingredients and substitutes (Save/Pin)
- Milk – It’s best to use whole milk that’s at least 3% fat. Skimmed milk has too much liquid, so it will take longer to evaporate and you won’t get thick condensed milk. You can also use coconut milk, almond milk or oats milk.
- Powdered milk – If you make the evaporated milk in 5 minutes you will need powdered milk. You do not want to use skimmed milk powder as it will not give you a thick consistency.
Useful tips and tools
- Use a heavy bottom saucepan that will not stick to the bottom when heating.
- A spatula does a great job of stirring. But a whisk helps keep the mixture lump-free.
- And, if necessary, strain the mixture through a sieve if there are too many lumps.
- Save any leftovers in a mason jar for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
How to Make Homemade Evaporated Milk(Save/Pin)
Quick Evaporated Milk with Powdered Milk
- Place milk and salt in a heavy-bottom saucepan.
- Add in the powdered milk stirring with a whisk to avoid any lumps.
- Stir on medium-low for about a minute or two until the mixture comes to almost boil and all the milk powder has dissolved.
- Continue to cook for 2 minutes on low until thickened slightly.
- Remove from heat. If necessary strain to remove any undissolved milk powder.
- Let cool completely.
- The mixture will thicken further as it cools.
- Keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Traditional Evaporated Milk
- Pour milk and salt in a heavy-bottom saucepan, preferably non-stick.
- Bring to a boil on medium heat.
- Lower the heat to a simmer and continue to cook stirring often.
- It is important to stir often so it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer until the milk has reduced to about 1/3 of its original volume.
- The milk will appear thicker and the color will be more creamy.
- Strain through a fine sieve or mesh to remove any skin.
- Pour into a mason jar and let cool completely.
- The evaporated milk gets thicker as it cools.
- When cooled store in the fridge for up to a week.
Frequently asked questions
Not really. Evaporated milk is unsweetened so using it would give a very bland dessert or dish. Additionally, condensed milk has a caramel-like flavor which happens due to the slow cooking process. So, even if you add sugar your dish will still lack that caramel flavor from condensed milk.
Canned evaporated milk has a shelf life of one year until opened, once opened it can be left in the fridge for about a week. Similarly, homemade evaporated milk will last for about a week in the fridge.
Since this homemade version is made with fresh milk it’s shelf life is rather short compared to the canned evaporated milk of course. Ideally, you can keep it in the fridge for up to a week.
It’s best to make it fresh and use it sooner rather than later.
The only difference between the two is that condensed milk is always sweetened while evaporated milk is unsweetened.
Evaporated milk is perfect to use for soups instead of cream, over cereals, and in coffee or tea. Try evaporated milk instead of milk the next time you make French toast, waffles, mashed potatoes or Bechamel sauce.
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Homemade Evaporated Milk
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Equipment /Tools
Ingredients
Quick Evaporated Milk with powdered milk
- 250 ml Whole milk
- 250 grams Milk powder
- 1/4 tsp Salt
Traditional Evaporated Milk
- 1 liter Milk full-fat
- 1/4 tsp Salt
Conversions – Switch between Metric & US for other measurement options
Instructions
- Place milk in a heavy-bottom saucepan.
- Add in the salt and powdered milk stirring with a whisk to avoid any lumps.
- Stir on medium-low for about a minute or two until the mixture comes to almost boil and all the milk powder has dissolved.
- Continue to cook for 2 minutes on low until thickened slightly.
- Remove from heat, if necessary strain to remove any undissolved milk powder.
- Let cool completely.
- The mixture will thicken further as it cools.
- Keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Traditional Evaporated Milk
- Pour milk and salt in a heavy-bottom saucepan, preferably non-stick.
- Bring to a boil on medium heat.
- Lower the heat to a simmer and continue to cook stirring often.
- It is important to stir often so it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Simmer until the milk has reduced to about 1/3 of its original volume.
- The milk will appear thicker and the color will be more creamy.
- Strain through a fine sieve or mesh to remove any skin.
- Pour into a mason jar and let cool completely.
- The evaporated milk gets thicker as it cools.
- When cooled store in the fridge for up to a week.
Recipe Video
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Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
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Gabi
I’m always on the hunt for lighter cream replacements. Your homemade evaporated milk is a great option I have to try soon. Thank you for sharing the doable instructions:)
Veena Azmanov
Thanks, Gabi
Angela
I have always wondered how to do this! Turned out so great! Will definitely be my go-to when I need evaporated milk. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Angela. So happy you found this recipe useful
kim
I had never thought about making my own evaporated milk, but this seems so easy. I can’t wait to give it a try!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Kim. yes, it’s so easy and convenient
Brian Jones
This is ingenious, evaporated milk is impossible to find here but milk powder is everywhere, works a treat too! Thank you
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Brian. Yes, it’s so delicious.
Irina
Oh, Veena, your recipe is a treasure! I always buy evaporated milk, but now I will make it in just 5 minutes. Thanks for sharing!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you so much. Irina. So happy you found it useful
Genevieve
Well, now I know how to do it thanks to your recipe. No need to buy the store-bought kind. Pinned for later. Thank you!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Genevieve.
Anuja Puranik
Dear Veena,
Read your Story!! I was just speechless after reading it ..I mean how you must have managed through the last year!! I stay in India and was just searching for some videos to make homemade fondant and came across your website.
I just kept on reading it..i couldn’t stop myself from reading so many things on your website.
I am just intending to make cakes on my own and know how to prepare chocolate.
I also intend to start with my own workshops down line in next year , so was just doing some research work and came across your website .
You are such a strong willed and brave women..One can draw such great inspiration fom you ..as i even had a rough 2016 year.
I feel fortunate that i got my family back …i mean to say my husband back as i had left him due to his alcoholism…so even i had managed all the things on my own and did everything possible for my 11 year old Daughter Riya.
I am grateful for all i have right now.
Just felt that how i am just cribbing about the things and not working towards my set dreams .After reading your story , your profile felt , if you could do all these things , why not me ..
I should be and i will .
Thanks again for sharing and inspiring others.
I wish you A Very happy,Healthy and Prosperous New Year 2017 for your entire Family!!!
Warm regards,
Anuja Puranik
Pune,
Maharashtra,
India
Veena Azmanov
Thank you so much Anuja.. it’s times like these when we know our true inner strength. It’s nice to see how you found my blog and so glad to hear that it’s been helping you. I wish you all the best.
Sorry to hear about your husband. I lost my father due to alcoholism! It took a serious toll on his liver, he was only 32 years old and I was a baby of two. So I was raised by a single mother with three children. Glad you back with your family now. Life without a father is not easy so I hope husband finds his path out of alcoholism for good, All the best. Thanks for you lovely comment.
Nance Fair-Kish
Dearest Veena,
I want you to know that for every person who had a complaint about your blog, there are 100’s that love it. I don’t mind the ads and I like the combined blog, everything in one place.
I can certainly empathize with your situation. I have a small cake business that I run from my home as well as a daytime job working with and training dogs. Two years ago my husband suffered a heart attack while working in another city, two hours away. In that moment everything stopped. I have a wonderful family that stepped in to answer emails, fb messages, and a bridal tasting. I posted it right away, as soon as I knew my husband was going to be fine, so their would be no misunderstanding about where my priorities are.
This will actually bring things into focus for you. I wish you nothing but health and happiness in the New Year. I find you to be such an inspiration. God bless you and your lovely family.
Nance Fair-Kish
Veena Azmanov
Thank you so much Nance – Thank you for your lovely comment and kinds words. Means so much. It’s friends like you that make me wanna do as much as I do on my blog. So sorry to hear about your husband I hope he is well and things are back to normal. Life can change in just and instant sometimes – just makes you realize how unimportant everything else is. Isnt’ it? Nothing means more than family sure. So happy to hear you have family to help. My family is in Bombay so unfortunately they cannot be of any help. Wish you a Happy New Year Nance.
Calli
Dear Veena, thank you so much for sharing your story. There is a personal life behind the smiles and positives we present on Facebook. You’re an amazing strong woman and certainly have had a challenging pressured year!! Your determined strength, perseverance and love for your family has pulled you through this. Yes, some more Veena time for 2017. I hope hubby is now fully recovered and wishing you all the very best for 2017!!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you so much Calli – True this is the positive side we put up on Facebook and other social media. yes, more Veena time for me this year I hope. Thank you so much.
Pamela McCaffrey
Veena, having just read your blog I can only applaud you for your strength in a terribly difficult (to put it mildly!) year. I am so sorry to hear this, I had no idea that you were having such an upsetting and worrying time. I do hope that your husband is on the mend and that your whole family have a wonderful New Year, you certainly deserve it. Pamela xx
Veena Azmanov
Thank you so much Pamela!! yes it was a difficult year and Ziv is much better now!! Things are beginning to fall back in place and in the usual routine. Thank you so much and Happy New Year
Marieke
Dear Veena what a difficult year. I know how that is, having a husband who is ill often and a special needs daughter it is similar here. But I know there is one thing so important. Take also care of yourself, when you are oké the people around you Will be oké too.
Have a wonderfull and healthy New year.
Greetings from the Netherlands
Marieke
Veena Azmanov
Thank you so much Marieke. You are so right!! I do need to take a bit more of ME time. I need to give my own health the priority for sure.. If i’m healthy the family is healthy too!! Thank you so much – wish you a Happy New Year