Homemade Naturally Sweetened Condensed Milk

Recipe: Healthy Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

Ingredients:
1 cup of raw or whole milk
1/2  cup of UNSWEETENED almond or coconut milk
1/2 cup organic honey
2 tbsp of butter and/or coconut oil.  (I used 1 tbsp of each)

1 tsp vanilla (Omit if you use vanilla flavored almond/coconut milk)

Method:

Mix honey and milk together in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stirring often, bring to a low simmer over medium-low heat JUST UNTIL YOU SEE STEAM START TO RISE OFF THE TOP.(around 4)  YOU MUST WATCH IT CLOSELY...THIS CAN SCALD IN A DAD-GUM SECOND!

 YOU NOW HAVE 2 OPTIONS:  Let it simmer on the LOWEST SETTING POSSIBLE FOR 2 HOURS OR KEEP IT ON MEDIUM HEAT, STIR CONSTANTLY AND LET THICKEN FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES.  Read below to know which works best for your schedule:


 2 HOUR METHOD:

As soon as steam starts lifting off the milk, lower the heat even further, and when the honey is entirely dissolved, put the heat as low as it can go. A simmer burner is great for this.  Stir occassionally.

 The goal is to reduce the quantity in the pot (which is now about 1 3/4 cups) by approximately half. It takes about 2 hours at very low heat to reduce to one cup of liquid.  I liked the freedom to wander the house doing other tasks, and thus allowed my process to take quite some time.  Once reduced to your satisfaction, remove from heat and whisk in the butter/coconut oil and vanilla extract (if using). The recipe is equivalent to just less than one whole can of brand name sweetened condensed milk.  (about 14 oz)  Allow to cool completely before using.  (store in refrigerator)

30 MINUTE METHOD:

 Keep the burner on MEDIUM heat (around 5) and WHISK CONSTANTLY for about 30 minutes.  You can step away BRIEFLY (say, to refill your 2 year old's sippy cup!) but that is IT!  It will burn VERY EASILY.  Once it has gotten thick and reduced by about 1/2, it's ready.  Once reduced to your satisfaction, remove from heat and whisk in the butter/coconut oil and vanilla extract (if using). The recipe is equivalent to just less than one whole can of brand name sweetened condensed milk.  (about 14 oz)  Allow to cool completely before using.  (store in refrigerator)