Learn How to Make Evaporated Milk yourself right in your own kitchen! A simple yet extraordinary ingredient you can use in your baking to add richness. The recipe includes step-by-step photos and lots of tips.

Homemade evaporated milk in a jar.

I use Evaporated Milk in many of my eggless desserts to add creaminess and richness, which sometimes is missing due to the lack of egg yolks. And one of the most asked questions I get is how it can be substituted, but in my opinion, it’s best to stick to what the recipe calls for.

But don’t fret!

Evaporated Milk is so easy to make, so you don’t need a replacement option or to make a run back to the store to buy some.

You can make it yourself right in your own kitchen!

Homemade Evaporated Milk Recipe Highlights

  • It is creamy and rich.
  • Easy to make at home.
  • The entire process (minus the cooling) should take around 30 – 40 minutes and minimal effort!
  • You can use any milk of your choice.
Homemade evaporated milk in a glass container.

What is Evaporated Milk?

Evaporated Milk is dense, creamy, ultra-concentrated milk. Honestly, it’s exactly what it sounds like: Milk with the water evaporated out. So it’s milk with 60% less water. It is a great milk substitute for coffee creamer or in desserts, as it has a slightly caramelized flavor, which makes it sweeter than regular milk.

You can purchase Evaporated Milk in most grocery stores, but it’s really easy to create at home.

What is Evaporated Milk Used For?

Some people call Evaporated Milk unsweetened condensed milk since the main difference between Evaporated Milk, and Sweetened Condensed Milk is the added sugar in Sweetened Condensed Milk. Both can be used in cooking, baking, or as a sweetener, but Evaporated Milk will add less sweetness.

Homemade Evaporated Milk Ingredients

Believe it or not, making Evaporated Milk requires only one ingredient: milk!

For dairy-restricted diets, you can also use any nut milk or soy milk as a substitute. Any milk will work!

Pro-Tip: If you don’t have any dairy restrictions, full-fat milk works best.

whole milk in a measuring cup.

Step By Step Recipe Photo Tutorial

Evaporated Milk is extremely easy to make at home! Check the recipe card below for exact quantities and instructions (scroll down). Here’s a basic step-by-step:

1 – Pour

Pour the milk of your choice into a pot.

milk being poured into a pot.

2 – Simmer

Simmer the milk, occasionally whisking, being sure not to let it boil, for around a half-hour or until the correct consistency is reached.

3 – Strain the Milk

Separate the skin or curls from the finished evaporated milk using a sieve.

4 – Cool

Let the homemade evaporated milk completely cool before storing it in the refrigerator.

a large measuring cup with evaporated milk made at home.

Make Evaporated Milk from Powdered Milk

I highly recommend making your own evaporated milk from fresh milk, but If you are unable to find evaporated milk or don’t have the time to make it, you can combine 1 cup (240 ml) of water with 6 tablespoons (60 g) of powdered milk. Mix well until no lumps remain and use as the recipe calls for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Evaporated Milk?

Evaporated Milk is dense, creamy, ultra-concentrated milk. Honestly, it’s exactly what it sounds like: Milk with the water evaporated out. So it’s milk with 60% less water. It is a great milk substitute for coffee creamer or in desserts, as it has a slightly caramelized flavor, which makes it sweeter than regular milk. You can purchase Evaporated Milk in most grocery stores, but it’s really easy to create at home.

What is Evaporated Milk Used For?

Some people call Evaporated Milk unsweetened condensed milk since the main difference between Evaporated Milk, and Sweetened Condensed Milk is the added sugar in Sweetened Condensed Milk. Both can be used in cooking, baking, or as a sweetener, but Evaporated Milk will add less sweetness.

Can I Use a Non-Dairy Milk?

Yes, dairy-free milk like nut milk and soy milk will work just fine.

What’s the difference between condensed and evaporated milk?

Both are reduced milk but sweetened condensed milk is sweetened with added sugar, which acts as a natural preservative, while evaporated milk is unsweetened, it has no sugar added.

How do you make 1 cup of evaporated milk?

To make a cup of evaporated milk, place 2 cups of the milk of your choice in a pot over medium-low heat, and simmer, occasionally whisking, until the amount of milk has been reduced in half, about 30 – 40 minutes.

How do I Substitute Evaporated Milk?

If you are unable to find evaporated milk or don’t have the time to make it, you can combine 1 cup (240 ml) of water with 6 tablespoons (60 g) of powdered milk. Mix well until no lumps remain and use as the recipe calls for.

storing Homemade evaporated milk

Storing Instructions

Once your Homemade Evaporated Milk is cooled, cover it and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. It’s great to make ahead when you plan to use it to cook or bake throughout the week. Make enough Evaporated Milk to use in all your recipes all week long, and you’ll be set!

Homemade evaporated milk in a mason jar

Uses for Evaporated Milk

More Tutorials You’ll Love!

❤️ Love what you see? JOIN my Private Baking Club. Also, Subscribe to Mommy’s Home Cooking email list, so you’ll never miss a recipe! And FOLLOW along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for more fun! 

Homemade evaporated milk in a jar

How to Make Evaporated Milk

64569017466b70122dc3c6f02423c7db?s=30&d=mm&r=gOriana Romero
Learn How to Make Evaporated Milk yourself right in your own kitchen! A simple yet exceptional ingredient you can use in your baking to add richness.
4.85 from 13 votes
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings 1 cup

Ingredients
 

  • 2 cups (480 ml) full-fat milk

Important

Don’t forget to check out the step-by-step photos above in the post—they’ll guide you through the process and make everything super clear!

Instructions
 

  • Place the milk into a large, heavy-bottomed pot.
  • Turn heat on medium-low, and simmer, occasionally whisking, until the amount of milk has been reduced in half, about 30 – 40 minutes.
  • Once the milk has reduced and turned a creamy color, pass it through a sieve to remove any curled, it may form. Set aside to cool completely.
  • Store the evaporated milk covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Oriana’s Notes
 
Store: Store the evaporated milk covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Non-Dairy Milk: You can use dairy-free milk like nut milk and soy milk. 
 
If you’re going to make this recipe, please read the whole post content to get lots of tips, tricks, and variations. 
 
 Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
 
Please note that nutritional information is a rough estimate, and it can vary depending on the products used.
 
I appreciate your feedback, and it helps others, too!Recipe reviews on the website are extremely valuable to other readers online. So, please don’t forget to give it a 5-star rating below.

Nutrition

Calories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 15gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 210mgSugar: 25g

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Share your Creations!Tag @mommyshomecooking on Instagram and hashtag it #mommyshomecooking or Join my Private Facebook Group
Course Condiments
Cuisine American
Calories 298
Keyword buttermilk easy evaporated how to

Eggless Baking Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve asked, and I’ve answered! Read on for a handful of answers to the most frequently asked questions about eggless baking.

Originally posted in February 2021, the post content was edited to add more helpful information, with no change to the recipe in May 2022.  

Similar Posts

4.85 from 13 votes (10 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

20 Comments

  1. I love your recipes and eggless fudgy brownies are a hit within family and work.
    Can I make evaporated milk with semi skim milk and milk powder to make up the fat in the full fat milk.

    1. Hello Nimita! Thank you so much for the kind words! 😊 I’m so happy to hear that the eggless fudgy brownies are a hit with your family and at work – that’s awesome! As for making evaporated milk, yes, you can use semi-skim milk and milk powder to make up for the fat in full-fat milk. However, I personally prefer my method of simmering whole milk until it’s reduced – it gives a richer flavor and texture. Find details here > How to Make Evaporated Milk Hope that helps!

  2. 5 stars
    My husband adores Banana Pudding but the last time I made it I couldn’t have any between my egg and milk allergies, now he’ll have to fight me for it. haha However, I am extremely lazy and since I have to make my own milk anyway instead of spending all that time evaporating it I’m just going to use half the water as I do when making nut creme.

    1. Hello Laurel! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 😂 I love your sense of humor about the banana pudding—sounds like it’s going to be a delicious battle for sure! You can also use canned evaporated milk. I like this one > https://amzn.to/3BZikFn (affi link). I hope you both enjoy every bite! Happy baking!

  3. 5 stars
    How does this recipe scale? If I need 4 cups of evaporated milk for a potluck recipe, would I start with 8 cups of milk? Will the cook time still be 40 minutes?

    1. Hello Lorna! Great question! Scaling up recipes can be a bit tricky. For 4 cups of evaporated milk, you’ll need 8 cup of regular milk. However, keep in mind that when you increase the quantity, the cooking time can change. If you’re making a larger batch, it might take longer to cook through. Cook until milk has reduced and turned a creamy color, pass it through a sieve to remove any curled, it may form. Set aside to cool completely. Hope this helps!

    1. Hello Cheryl! No liking eggs is more common than you think. I hope my recipes inspire you to continue baking. Please make sure to reach out if you have any questions or special requests. I am happy to help!

    1. Hello Lydia! Yes, you can make a big batch and freeze it in small portions. To thaw, leave your container of evaporated milk in the refrigerator overnight; just make sure you blend it up afterward. Hope that helps!

  4. I was wondering if I could do this in the oven instead of the stovetop. Have you tried doing it in the oven at like 180-200F with convection to help with evaporation? Thanks

  5. I’m so glad you posted this recipe. It’s so simple & easy, I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it myself. I am Lactose Intolerant but I do use dairy in my cooking & baking. I have often looked for Lactose Free condensed milk products but there just aren’t any that I’ve found. I wonder if I can use Lactose Free, Whole Milk to make this condensed milk?? Any thoughts? Thanks so much for all you do!

    1. Hello Lisa! I have used La Lechera Lactose-free condensed milk, and it’s really good. Sometimes Walmart carries it; if you are not able to find it in your local grocery store, try online (amazon > https://amzn.to/3dF97ng ) . You can definitely make your own with lactose-free milk though. xo

    1. Hello Denise! You can, but it won’t be as rich and creamy as the one made with whole milk. If you have the chance, I recommend using whole milk. Thanks for your interest in my recipe. Please come back and let me know how you like it =)