Skip to Content

37 Best Ways To Use Up That Can Of Condensed Milk

Never waste it again.

By ,
ice cream with toppings made in a mason jar
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Delish editors handpick every product we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

Call it sweetened condensed milk or just condensed milk, there's one thing is for sure—we bet you’ve got a can (or two!) kicking around in your kitchen cabinets, waiting for the day you figure out what to make with it. Today is that day. We’ve got a list of all our favorite recipes featuring the canned staple, like show-stopping pies, creamy drinks, and homemade ice cream, with lots of super-shareable bars and mini bites in between. What are you waiting for? Bust out that can opener, and check out these 37 condensed milk recipes for ideas.

First things first—what is condensed milk? Like it's cousin evaporated milk, condensed milk was created in the early 1800s as a way to make the dairy product more shelf-stable. Unfortunately for this original condensed milk (but fortunately for us!), it didn’t taste very good…until someone had the idea to sweeten it. We're so glad they did, because the rest is delicious history.

1

Cookie Butter No-Churn Ice Cream

cookie butter flavore dice cream with biscoff cookie pieces
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

To please the Biscoff fans, we loaded this ice cream up with cookie butter and crumbled Biscoff pieces so that the signature buttery flavor is in every single bite. You only need two more ingredients—heavy whipping cream and sweetened condensed milk—to create your ice cream; you might have all the ingredients in your fridge and pantry already!

Get the Cookie Butter No-Churn Ice Cream recipe.

2

Magic Cookie Bars

12 magic cookie bars
Joel goldberg

Though dump cakes might be the easiest dessert to make, these cookie bars are a close second. And we'd reckon that these are even more customizable and more delicious. We encourage you to find your ideal flavor and ingredient combinations to discover the true magic of these bars.

Get the Magic Cookie Bars recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3

Espresso Martini Fudge

fudge topped with espresso powder and coffee beans
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

If you're still obsessed with the iconic coffee cocktail, then you're going to be doubly in love with this recipe. We created this espresso martini version because coffee just makes everything better, especially when paired with smooth, creamy chocolate and our favorite Irish cream liqueur. Plus, who can say no to that adorable coffee bean garnish?

Get the Espresso Martini Fudge recipe.

4

Banana Pudding

banana pudding in a trifle
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Banana pudding is one of our all-time favorite desserts. It's a classic Southern recipe, and for good reason. Luscious layers of vanilla pudding (featuring condensed milk), whipped cream, ripe bananas, and wafer cookies are completely impossible to resist.

Get the Banana Pudding recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5

Brigadeiros

brigadeiros covered in chocolate and rainbow sprinkles, and chopped pistachios and almonds

Many a Brazilian birthday party has a dessert table that features these traditional fudgy, sprinkle-covered truffles, and it's pretty clear why. They’re delicious, adorable, and will disappear in seconds!

Get the Brigadeiros recipe.

6

Mason Jar Ice Cream

ice cream with toppings made in a mason jar
PHOTO: MURRAY HALL; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Homemade ice cream is incredible, but let’s be honest—making it isn’t easy! Which is why we're excited to share this recipe for an easier shortcut. It still requires some freezing time because, well, it’s ice cream after all, but the actual making of the ice cream takes a total of about 5 minutes.

Get the Mason Jar Ice Cream recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Creamsicle Mimosas

creamsicle mimosas filled with ice and garnished with an orange wedge
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

This mimosa hits on the creamsicle nostalgia in an uncommon way—half-and-half and condensed milk come together to embody the sentimental creamy sweetness of the childhood favorite, while freshly squeezed orange juice brightens up the brunch drink in the best way.

Get the Creamsicle Mimosas recipe.

8

Dulce De Leche

dulce de leche
Park Feierbach

Homemade caramel is delicious, but it isn't the easiest recipe to make. If only there was a recipe that required no stirring, almost no work, and gave you a consistent, luscious topping every time! Oh right, there is: dulce de leche.

Get the Dulce De Leche recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9

No-Bake Blackberry Oreo Tart

no baked blackberry oreo tart with mascrapone whipped cream and blackberry filling and an oreo crust
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Blackberries are that “side” berry we kind of forget about. But when Oreos come knocking, there is something special to be said about their lovely pairing. And the title of “no-bake” anything should be relieving, especially in the summertime.

Get the No-Bake Blackberry Oreo Tart recipe.

10

Key Lime Bars

key lime bars topped with whipped cream, a lime zest, and a lime wedge
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

These have all the same elements as the beloved no-bake pie: a tangy, citrus filling, buttery graham cracker crust, and a fluffy Cool Whip topping. Not only are these easy to create, they take slightly less time than the classic pie, making them a great choice when you’re in a pinch.

Get the Key Lime Bars recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11

Million-Dollar Pie

layered pie topped with crushed nuts, whipped cream, and cherries
PHOTO: JOSEPH DE LEO; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

This retro pie is everything you want in the millionaire experience—crunchy, sweet, mile-high, and make-ahead. It’s prepared by pressing a graham cracker crust into a pie plate and piling it high with a rich whipped topping base filled with pecans, toasted coconut, and crushed pineapple.

Get the Million-Dollar Pie recipe.

12

Thai Iced Tea

tea with milk poured in
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

We love this drink made of black tea, spices, and sweetened condensed milk a great alternative to our morning cold brew, or as a way to cool off our mouths after eating spicy Thai noodles.

Get the Thai Iced Tea recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Dunkaroos No-Churn Ice Cream

vanilla ice cream with dunkaroos pieces and sprinkles
PHOTO: BRYAN GARDNER; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

Using sweetened condensed milk along with whipped cream creates a smooth and light texture without the hassle of churning your own ice cream. This easy dessert recipe is not too sweet, deliciously creamy, and the perfect treat for your next throwback party. Or just to keep in the freezer for the kids at home…either way, everyone will enjoy this cool treat.

Get the Dunkaroos No-Churn Ice Cream recipe.

14

Margarita Pops

margarita pops
ERIK BERNSTEIN

If you're a frozen margarita fan, these are the pops for you! Using small dixie cups makes these pops a dream to unmold too—simply cut a small slit and peel the rest off.

Get the Margarita Pops recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15

Brazilian Lemonade

brazilian lemonade with a lime garnish
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Limonada suiça, or Brazilian lemonade, on a scorching hot summer day always hits the spot and is the perfect afternoon treat. If you’ve never had a glass, it almost tastes like a blended lemon Italian ice but not sour—and just so much better. It gives Key lime pie vibes in the very best way.

Get the Brazilian Lemonade recipe.

16

Peppermint Patties

peppermint patties
PHOTO; LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLIST; FRANCESCA ZANI

Peppermint Patties were developed in 1940 at a store in York, Pennsylvania. The guy behind the York Cone Company, Henry Kessler, made sure the patties had that perfect “snap.” The company became one with Hershey in the late 1980s, and the candy is synonymous with the brand. The more you know!

Get the Peppermint Patties recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17

Copycat Cheesecake Factory Mango-Key Lime Cheesecake

mango key lime cheesecake with vanilla coconut crust, layered with mango mousse, and mango glaze, and topped with whipped cream
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

The Cheesecake Factory has 34 flavors of cheesecake, but their mango Key lime really stands out. You can see why—It’s got creamy mango and Key lime cheesecake, a layer of fluffy mango mousse, and a layer of mango glaze, all encased in a vanilla-coconut crust. 😍

Get the Copycat Cheesecake Factory Mango-Key Lime Cheesecake recipe.

18

Horchata

horchata with cinnamon sticks
Joel Goldberg

Looking for a creamy, sweet bevvie to sip on? Don’t sleep on horchata! Our Mexican version is made by soaking rice and almonds with cinnamon before blending everything together with milk (non-dairy works too!) and sweetener. There’s a lot of room to play around, so feel free to make it yours.

Get the Horchata recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Tres Leches Cake

tres leches cake topped with whipped cream and cinnamon
PHOTO: RYAN LIEBE; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

A tres leches (which means "three milks" in Spanish) cake is a sponge cake that contains three different types of milks to make it extra moist and tasty. It's basically the original poke cake, and you're going to be obsessed.

Get the Tres Leches Cake recipe.

20

Chocolate Coconut Balls

chocolate coconut balls topped with shredded coconut
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: JASON SCHREIBER

If you love Almond Joy candy bars, these chocolate coconut balls are calling your name. Packed with toasted almonds and two kinds of coconut, they are chewy, nutty, and totally scrumptious. Oh... and did we mention they’re also covered in chocolate?

Get the Chocolate Coconut Balls recipe.

Watch Next 
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below