How To Make Evaporated Milk (Recipe)

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: My method for How to Make Evaporated Milk is so easy. I get so many requests for what to replace this ingredient with, or where to find it, and now you never have to worry about that — because evaporated milk can be made so easily at home in just 25 minutes!

One of my favorite parts of Bold Baking Basics is giving you all the recipes for how to make your own ingredients at home. From improving upon what you can buy at the store, like my Homemade Butter Recipe, Homemade Sour Cream, How to Make Homemade Frangipane, How to Make Breadcrumbs, How to Make Traditional Mincemeat, and Homemade Cream Cheese, to showing you how to make things that can be hard to find like Buttermilk Substitute, Vanilla Bean Paste, and The Creamiest Mascarpone Cheese, these basics are the building blocks for baking confidently.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was updated and improved on 11/6/2023, to include new photography, explanations of key ingredients, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and more bold baking basics.  

Table of Contents

• What is Evaporated Milk?
• Tools You Need
• Key Ingredients and Why
• How to Make Evaporated Milk
• Can I Make Evaporated Milk in Advance and How to Store Evaporated Milk
• FAQs
• More Bold Baking Basics

What is Evaporated Milk?

• Evaporated milk is a type of canned milk product made by removing about 60% of the water content from regular milk. It’s known as “unsweetened condensed milk”  in some places.
• To produce evaporated milk, fresh milk is heated to a high temperature, which causes the water to evaporate, leaving behind concentrated milk with a creamy consistency, slightly caramelized flavor, and concentrated nutrients.
• Evaporated milk saves about half of the regular fresh milk’s space and is shelf-stable.

Tools You Need

• Measuring jug
• Heavy bottom saucepan
• Spatula
• Sieve

Key Ingredients and Why

• Milk of your choice: that’s it!
  • I always use full-fat cow’s milk with milkfat of 3.25%-3.5%.
  • Alternatively, you can also use other dairy milk: non-fat milk ( to make fat-free evaporated milk), 2% milk, reduced-fat or low-fat milk, skim milk, or lactose-free milk.
  • For non-dairy options, almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk.
• Keep in mind that the flavor and consistency of the evaporated milk will vary depending on the types of milk or plant-based milk you choose.

How to Make Evaporated Milk

• This is not so much a recipe but a method, and it really could not be more straightforward. To make evaporated milk you simply simmer milk for around 25 minutes.
• You do this slowly over medium-low heat to really allow the excess water in the milk to evaporate.
  • Be sure to never boil the milk, though, as the only thing you ever let come to a boil in my house is water!
  • After just a short time simmering, what you’re left with is the exact same thing you get in a can you buy at the grocery store — it’s creamy in color and texture, and naturally sweet from the sugars in the milk.

Can I Make Evaporated Milk in Advance and How to Store Evaporated Milk?

Yes, you can make homemade evaporated milk in advance, and here’s how to store it:

• To properly store homemade evaporated milk, refrigerate the evaporated milk covered for up to 5 days.
• To properly store unopened cans of commercial evaporated milk, keep it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, such as a pantry or kitchen cupboard. Be sure to check the expiration date on the can, and use the oldest cans first to ensure freshness.
• To properly store opened cans of commercial evaporated milk, refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container immediately and use it within 3-4 days.
• For any unused, any type of evaporated milk, transfer it into an airtight container, leaving some room for expansion. Seal and label the container and place it in the freezer. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it in the refrigerator and give it a good shake before using, as the texture may change slightly during freezing.

FAQs

What’s the Difference Between Evaporated Milk and Sweetened Condensed Milk?

While both are sweet dairy products, they have totally different flavors, textures, and uses.

Condensed milk has a thick syrup-like consistency and is made by reducing milk and sugar. I like to use this to make all of my 2 ingredient ice creams, so I keep this around all the time. Evaporated milk is simply just milk reduced down to super creamy liquid. By cooking off most of the water content of the milk, you get a naturally sweet milk substitute that has no added sugar content.

What Do You Use Evaporated Milk For?

Evaporated milk was initially made with the intention of being rehydrated, meaning it was milk that was reduced for storage and shelf-life. In the process, cooks discovered its lovely flavor and thin-yet-creamy texture is great for adding to all kinds of things. I love to add these savory dishes like soups or chowders, drinks, oatmeal, fudge, and more.

What baking recipes do you use evaporated milk in?

You can use homemade evaporated milk in these recipes on biggerbolderbaking.com:

• How To Make Pumpkin Pie
• Crock Pot Pumpkin Oatmeal
• Petite Pumpkin Pies
• Mile-High Sweet Potato Pie
• Warm Chai Pumpkin Pie
• Homemade Beignets (Baked Not Fried)
• Rich German Chocolate Cake
• 3 Homemade Cookie Butters
• Simple Chocolate Rice Pudding (Champorado)
• Easy Tres Leches Cake and more!

How to Substitute Evaporated Milk

If you are unable to find evaporated milk and don’t have the time to make it, it can be substituted with a combination of milk and cream. Simply combine 1/4 cup cream with 3/4 cup milk for an alternative. This will not have the same sweetness and body as evaporated milk but it will add the same richness.

Can I freeze evaporated milk?

Yes, you can freeze evaporated milk to extend its shelf life.

Transfer any used or unused (do not freeze a can!) evaporated milk into an airtight container, leaving some room for expansion. Seal and label the container and place it in the freezer. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it in the refrigerator and give it a good shake before using, as the texture may change slightly during freezing.

More Bold Baking Basics

• How to Make Homemade Extracts: Vanilla Extract Recipe & Vanilla Extract Recipe & More!
• How to Make Caramel
• How to make Self-Raising Flour
• DIY Cake Flour Substitute: How to Make Cake Flour at Home
• How to Make Rolled Fondant

Don’t forget to follow Bigger Bolder Baking on Pinterest!

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was updated and improved on 11/6/2023, to include new photography, explanations of key ingredients, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and more bold baking basics.  

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