31 Recipes That Prove Sweetened Condensed Milk Is The Best Stuff On Earth

Alison Spiegel
Updated

There are certain foods we love so much that we unashamedly eat them straight from the containerwith a spoon. Sweetened condensed milk is one of those foods.

We know what you're thinking -- it's sugar overload, it's thick and sticky, it's syrupy and it is definitely not to be consumed on its own by the spoonful. We're not advocating that you eat a whole can or even more than one teaspoon; we're merely confessing our guilty pleasure to explain how strongly we feel about sweetened condensed milk. A little goes a long way with this super sweet substance, and it's all you need to understand how dreamy it is. Whether it's on its own, in a coffee or in a pie, sweetened condensed milk can completely transform a dish, and might even transform you.

Sweetened condensed milk is milk from which the water has been removed and to which sugar has been added. Some people find it off-putting, but those people probably haven't tried it the right way. People all over the world eat it. It's common in coffee in parts of Asia, in pies like Key Lime in the United States, and in cakes and pudding in Latin America. Whether youmake your own, or buy it in a can, you should give sweetened condensed milk a try if you aren't a fan already. It's definitely decadent, but there's always a time and place for that. Whether you choose to indulge every day or less frequently is up to you -- but whenever you're ready, sweetened condensed milk will be there for you.

Here are 31 recipes that will convince you sweetened condensed milk is some of the best stuff on earth. It might be the unsung hero of the dessert world. We're here to sing its praises.

French Toast Crunch

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/24705-anthony-myint-s-french-toast-crunch" target="_blank">French Toast Crunch</a> by Genius Recipes from Food52</strong>
Get the French Toast Crunch by Genius Recipes from Food52

Chocolate-Coconut Bars

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/313038/chocolate-coconut-bars#slide_17" target="_blank">Chocolate-Coconut Bars</a> recipe by Martha Stewart</strong>
Get the Chocolate-Coconut Bars recipe by Martha Stewart

Peach Sherbet

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/1074358/peach-sherbet" target="_blank">Peach Sherbet</a> recipe from Martha Stewart</strong>
Get the Peach Sherbet recipe from Martha Stewart

Vietnamese Coffee Shake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/868026/vietnamese-coffee-shake" target="_blank">Vietnamese Coffee Shake</a> recipe from Martha Stewart</strong>
Get the Vietnamese Coffee Shake recipe from Martha Stewart

Key Lime Cream Cheese Crumble Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.cookingwithsugar.com/key-lime-cream-cheese-crumble-cake-a-key-lime-bar-recipe/" target="_blank">Key Lime Cream Cheese Crumble Cake</a> recipe from Cooking With Sugar</strong>
Get the Key Lime Cream Cheese Crumble Cake recipe from Cooking With Sugar

Caramel Snickers 7 Layer Bars

<strong>Get the <a href="http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/01/05/caramel-snickers-7-layer-bars/" target="_blank">Caramel Snickers 7 Layer Bars</a> recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction</strong>
Get the Caramel Snickers 7 Layer Bars recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction

Coconut Tres Leches

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/22091-coconut-tres-leches" target="_blank">Coconut Tres Leches</a> recipe by aargersi from Food52</strong>
Get the Coconut Tres Leches recipe by aargersi from Food52

Date, Coconut & Walnut Truffles

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/12/23/date-coconut-walnut-marshmallow-truffles/" target="_blank">Date, Coconut & Walnut Truffles</a> recipe from Brown Eyed Baker</strong>
Get the Date, Coconut & Walnut Truffles recipe from Brown Eyed Baker

Mint Cookies and Cream Magic Bars

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.becca-bakes.com/home/mintcookies-cream-magic-bars" target="_blank">Mint Cookies and Cream Magic Bars</a> recipe from Becca Bakes</strong>
Get the Mint Cookies and Cream Magic Bars recipe from Becca Bakes

Twix [Candy Bar] Tart

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2014/03/04/twix-candy-bar-tart/" target="_blank">Twix [Candy Bar] Tart</a> recipe from Brown Eyed Baker</strong>
Get the Twix [Candy Bar] Tart recipe from Brown Eyed Baker

Better Than "Anything" Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2013/06/04/better-than-sex-cake-recipe/" target="_blank">Better Than "Anything" Cake</a> recipe from Brown Eyed Baker</strong>
Get the Better Than "Anything" Cake recipe from Brown Eyed Baker

No-Bake Coconut Cream Goat Cheese Cheesecake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.howsweeteats.com/2012/07/no-bake-coconut-cream-goat-cheese-cheesecake/" target="_blank">No-Bake Coconut Cream Goat Cheese Cheesecake</a> recipe from How Sweet It Is</strong>
Get the No-Bake Coconut Cream Goat Cheese Cheesecake recipe from How Sweet It Is

Simply Key Lime Pie

<strong>Get the <a href="http://food52.com/recipes/28570-simple-key-lime-pie" target="_blank">Simply Key Lime Pie</a> recipe by First Time Foods from Food52</strong>
Get the Simply Key Lime Pie recipe by First Time Foods from Food52

Magic Cherry Bars

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.macheesmo.com/2012/12/magic-cherry-bars/" target="_blank">Magic Cherry Bars</a> recipe from Macheesmo</strong>
Get the Magic Cherry Bars recipe from Macheesmo

Homemade Iced Coffee With Spices and Sweetened Condensed Milk

<strong>Get this <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/06/homemade-iced-coffee.html" target="_blank">Homemade Iced Coffee</a> recipe from A Beautiful Mess</strong>
Get this Homemade Iced Coffee recipe from A Beautiful Mess

Dulce de Leche S'mores

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.adventures-in-cooking.com/2010/06/dulce-de-leche-smores.html" target="_blank">Dulce de Leche S'mores</a> recipe from Adventures In Cooking</strong>
Get the Dulce de Leche S'mores recipe from Adventures In Cooking

Milk and Cookie Cupcakes

<strong>Get the <a href="http://lemon-sugar.com/2012/08/milk-cookies-cupcakes.html/" target="_blank">Milk and Cookie Cupcakes</a> recipe from Lemon Sugar</strong>
Get the Milk and Cookie Cupcakes recipe from Lemon Sugar

Peanutty Buckeye Bars

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/peanutty-buckeye-bars/" target="_blank">Peanutty Buckeye Bars</a> recipe from Two Peas And Their Pod</strong>
Get the Peanutty Buckeye Bars recipe from Two Peas And Their Pod

Condensed Milk Coconut Pound Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.fatgirltrappedinaskinnybody.com/2011/05/condensed-milk-coconut-pound-cake/" target="_blank">Condensed Milk Coconut Pound Cake</a> from Fat Girl Trapped in a Skinny Body</strong>
Get the Condensed Milk Coconut Pound Cake from Fat Girl Trapped in a Skinny Body

Key Lime Pie Bar

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2013/06/19/key-lime-pie-bars/" target="_blank">Key Lime Pie Bar</a> recipe from Brown Eyed Baker</strong>
Get the Key Lime Pie Bar recipe from Brown Eyed Baker

Thai Tea Cake with Creamed Coconut Frosting

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.adventures-in-cooking.com/2012/03/thai-tea-cake-with-creamed-coconut.html" target="_blank">Thai Tea Cake with Creamed Coconut Frosting</a> recipe from Adventures In Cooking</strong>

Caramel Pretzel Butterscotch Fudge

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/caramel-pretzel-butterscotch-fudge/" target="_blank">Caramel Pretzel Butterscotch Fudge</a> recipe from Something Swanky</strong>
Get the Caramel Pretzel Butterscotch Fudge recipe from Something Swanky

Ice Coffee With Sweetened Condensed Milk

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2013/05/15/diy-iced-coffee/" target="_blank">Iced Coffee With Sweetened Condensed Milk</a> recipe from Brown Eyed Baker</strong>
Get the Iced Coffee With Sweetened Condensed Milk recipe from Brown Eyed Baker

Red Velvet Poke Cake

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2013/02/13/red-velvet-poke-cake/" target="_blank">Red Velvet Poke Cake</a> recipe from Brown Eyed Baker</strong>
Get the Red Velvet Poke Cake recipe from Brown Eyed Baker

Guinness Brownies

<strong>Get the <a href="http://thechicsite.com/2014/03/10/guinness-brownies/" target="_blank">Guinbess Brownies</a> recipe from The Chic Table</strong>
Get the Guinbess Brownies recipe from The Chic Table

Homemade Dulce de Leche

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.texanerin.com/2012/11/homemade-dulce-de-leche.html" target="_blank">Homemade Dulce de Leche</a> recipe from TheTexanerin</strong>
Get the Homemade Dulce de Leche recipe from TheTexanerin

White Chocolate Lemon Streusel Bars

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/whats-in-box-you-ask-well-here/" target="_blank">White Chocolate Lemon Streusel Bars</a> recipe from Something Swanky</strong>
Get the White Chocolate Lemon Streusel Bars recipe from Something Swanky

Monster Magic Cookie Bars

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/monster-magic-cookie-bars/" target="_blank">Monster Magic Cookie Bars</a> recipe from Something Swanky</strong>
Get the Monster Magic Cookie Bars recipe from Something Swanky

Salted Caramel Toffee Macaroons

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/salted-caramel-toffee-coconut-macaroons/" target="_blank">Salted Caramel Macaroons</a> recipe from Two Peas And Their Pod</strong>
Get the Salted Caramel Macaroons recipe from Two Peas And Their Pod

Vietnamese Coffee Popsicles

<strong>Get the <a href="http://www.bakingthebook.com/2012/07/vietnamese-coffee-popsicles.html" target="_blank">Vietnamese Coffee Popsicles</a> from Baking The Book</strong>
Get the Vietnamese Coffee Popsicles from Baking The Book

Oatmeal Creme Pie Magic Bars

<strong>Get the <a href="http://thedomesticrebel.com/2014/04/07/oatmeal-creme-pie-magic-bars-oatmeal-creme-pie-week/" target="_blank">Oatmeal Creme Pie Magic Bars</a> recipe from The Domestic Rebel</strong>
Get the Oatmeal Creme Pie Magic Bars recipe from The Domestic Rebel

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