12 Uses For That One Can of Condensed Milk Left in Your Cupboard

It is weird how we all have a random can of condensed milk in our pantry. How did it get there? And more importantly, what can we use it for?

I've been making food professionally for years and have found many things we can use condensed milk for. We'll show you 12 fantastic things you can do with that one can to turn it into something delicious.

So, go grab your can opener and pop it open! Then, get ready to use that thick, sweet milk in an exciting and tasty way. You may actually need to buy more cans once you see how useful they are!

Add It To Coffee

Condensed milk actually makes a fantastic coffee creamer substitute. It is very sweet and made with dairy, so it can replace cream and sugar in your daily coffee.

Add a tablespoon or two to your hot coffee and stir it. Condensed milk may become your new go-to for sweetening and flavoring your daily cup of joe!

Make Dulce De Leche

Do you love dulce de leche? That thick, caramel-like topping is irresistible! Did you know you can easily make homemade dulce de leche without effort?

Take the can of condensed milk in your cupboard and place it in a large pot (yes, the entire, closed can needs to go in the pot — don’t open it!). Add water to the pot so that the water is at least 4 inches above the top of the can. Then, place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a low simmer over medium heat. Let the water simmer for 3 hours, then turn off the heat and cool to room temperature. Remove the can, open it up, and- tada! Perfect dulce de leche.

Make Fudge

Fudge is so super easy to make, especially when you have a can of condensed milk.

Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a small pot with 2 cups of chocolate chips and a dash of vanilla extract. Heat the mix over low heat, stirring constantly until the chocolate chips have melted. Pour the mix into a square pan and let the fudge set. Once it is hard, it is ready to eat!

Add to Fresh Fruit

There is no better way to enhance a fruit salad than with sweetened condensed milk. Drizzle condensed milk over a fruit salad, and it instantly has a sweet and creamy kick.

This will transform your healthy snack into a decadent sweet treat. It may become your favorite dessert!

Make Ice Cream

You don’t need an ice cream machine to make homemade ice cream. All you need is a can of sweetened condensed milk, a container of frozen whipped topping, and whatever flavorings you’d like.

Fold the condensed milk into the whipped topping, then add crumbled cookies, fresh fruit, or chocolate chips (really any toppings will work!). Place the mix in the freezer and come back about 4 hours later. Your homemade ice cream will be ready to eat.

Use it In Pancakes

Adding condensed milk to your pancake batter is a game changer. Replace the sugar in the recipe with sweetened condensed milk, and it will make your pancakes perfectly sweet and extra fluffy. The rich flavor is hard to resist!

You can even drizzle some extra condensed milk on top of the cooked pancakes instead of syrup. You will use up that whole can of condensed milk in no time!

Add It to Pie Filling

Mix a can of pie filling and a can of sweetened condensed milk to make an incredible, delicious pie. The condensed milk adds creaminess and sweetness to the pie filling, making it unbelievable.

You can also use it in homemade pie recipes like pumpkin pie, pecan pie, or lemon pie. Pour that delicious filling into a pre-baked crust, and then pop the whole thing in the oven!

Make a Milkshake

Add some sweetened condensed milk to your milkshake, which will be extra creamy and sweet. Blend it with ice cream, milk, and your favorite flavors, and you’ve got a thick, dreamy milkshake that’ll have you sipping with a smile. Bonus points if you top it with whipped cream!

This little milkshake hack works with any flavor milkshake you may be craving.

Add It to Oatmeal

Sweetened condensed milk in oatmeal? Yes, you read that right. Just stir a little into your morning oats for a creamy, sweet breakfast treat.

It’s like eating dessert for breakfast, but hey, it’s oatmeal, so it’s totally okay, right? Maybe add a few extra nuts or ground flaxseeds to make your oatmeal healthier.

Blend It Into Smoothies

If you like your smoothies thick and creamy, this is the trick for you!

A splash of sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness and a rich texture to any type of smoothie. Throw it in with some fruit and ice, and you’ve got a smoothie that feels more like a milkshake!

Make Key Lime Pie

Key lime pie may be one of the best pies in the whole world. And do you know what it is made with? Sweetened condensed milk!

Mix it with lime juice and egg yolks, pour into a graham cracker crust, and bake. The result? A tangy, creamy dessert that’s sure to impress — no one needs to know how easy it was!

Make Caramel Sauce

Nothing beats homemade caramel sauce. If you have a can of sweetened condensed milk sitting around in your pantry, caramel sauce should be in your future.

Heat the condensed milk on the stove with butter and sugar, and watch it transform into a silky, golden caramel sauce. Keep cooking and stirring until the caramel is a nice, deep brown color.

Homemade caramel is perfect for drizzling over ice cream, cakes, or, let’s be real, pouring straight into your mouth.