Open the pantry and you’ll probably find a can of condensed milk on the shelf. It’s a baking staple, but what exactly is it? Sweetened condensed milk is made by heating milk and removing its water. Once reduced, it’s sweetened with sugar (lots of it). The final product is very thick, sweet, and fantastic in desserts. Condensed milk can be used in a variety of treats like pies, cookies, fudge sauce, and rice pudding. Next time you’re looking at a can of condensed milk and wondering what to make, try one of these 20 desserts.
Mom’s Tres Leches Cake
“My son, Nick, came home from Argentina one year with a new found taste for Dulce de Leche. So, I made this cake for him. It’s rich and delicious.” – Fran
Easy Chocolate Fondue
“I made up this fondue recipe one day when I was making a fruit tray up for a work gathering and it was gone in no time. My coworkers absolutely loved it and were dipping not only fruit but also pretzels and cookies as well in the fondue. It became a fondue many asked for me to bring each time to gatherings and of course the fruit tray as well.” – Pamela
Easiest No-Bake Cheesecake
“Every time I bake a cheesecake recipe in the oven, the top cracks open and the recipe never works out for me. This is the easiest recipe and it DOES work! Fabulously delicious!” – Robyn
Holy Caramel Cow Cake
“Have you ever had a slice of cake that made you say HOLY COW? If you haven’t stop now and get the ingredients for this cake, it will change your life.” – Debbie
Rice Pudding
“This Mexican-style rice pudding is super easy to make and is so very good to eat. We especially enjoy the taste of the cinnamon and the sweetness of the raisins. To enhance the cinnamon taste I have started adding powdered cinnamon to each stage of the preparation.” – J. White
Ganache Filled Coconut Macaroons
“I bake for a lot of people and when they try this cookie they all say it’s just heavenly! I make the ganache just a bit different for cookies, I substitute sweetened condensed milk for the heavy cream as it remains stable at room temperature longer, and the taste is every bit as good.” – Susan
Thick and Rich Hot Fudge Sauce
“This hot fudge is so simple to whip up. So yummy on so many things – like a drizzle on my chocolate fudge cupcakes, on ice cream, in sundaes, on fruit, or use in trifles, the list is endless. So easy to store too. Great, simple, and impressive dessert.” – Wendy
Creamy Lime Bars
“These creamy lime bars are a refreshing dessert anytime!” – Ann
Refreshing Lemon Icebox Cake
“This cake is so refreshing and a crowd-pleaser. A great cake to take to a gathering, you will surely leave with a clean cake platter. My family loves this cake, especially in the summertime. Hope you enjoy cooking this cake as much as I do!” – Kathy
Dangerously Fudgy Brownies
“I could never find a brownie recipe that I liked. Too dense, too cakey, too dry, you name it. Finally I took the best parts of several recipes and came up with these moist, chocolatey treats. In my house, these brownies barely have a chance to cool before they’re gobbled up. They’re a hit at my bakery as well. Enjoy!” – Krystal
Homemade Dulce de Leche
“Dulce de leche is made by slowly heating sweetened condensed milk until it caramelizes and turns a golden brown.” – Kevin
Ultimate Peanut Butter Pie
“This is called ultimate because, indeed, it is completely loaded with goodness and decadence. A peanut butter lover’s dream!!! It is the best peanut butter pie you will ever have… I promise! ” – Christina
Turtle Cake
“We LOVE this cake! It is so delicious and it is even better when chilled overnight in the refrigerator. I made this year for my birthday and it was yummy!” – Charlotte
Toffee & Brown Sugar Pound Cake
“A fantastic pound cake for a fall luncheon.” – Joan
Better Than Sex Fruit Salad
“This is a twist on a traditional fruit salad. Good any time of year. Whether it is or isn’t is up to you.” – Lisa
BEA’S MILLIONAIRES
“Chocolate, caramel and nuts…that’s what I’m talking about! These will melt in you mouth. These are a little time consuming but well worth the effort. I like these better than turtles because the caramel doesn’t stick to your teeth. I think it’s because the caramel is mixed with the sweetened condensed milk. It’s so creamy inside the chocolate and it’s hard to quit eating them. WARNING: very addictive!” – Bea
Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies
“Reminded me of buckeyes.” – Debra
Frosty Strawberry Margarita Dessert
“Tequila and triple sec in this one… NOT kid friendly, lol, this one is for the adults only!” – Mary
Strawberry Tiramisu, T’s Way
“I created this recipe because I wanted to do something different with the beautiful, sweet, red ripe strawberries from our garden. It’s a cool, creamy, fruity dessert that tastes as good as it looks!” – Teresa
Chocolate Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars
“Buttery and flaky shortbread is covered with a rich chocolate peanut butter mixture and then topped with peanut butter cup minis in these Chocolate Peanut Butter Shortbread Bars. Rich like fudge, this dessert is not for the faint of heart.” – Paula