Start with a can of condensed milk, end with a smile.

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Sweetened condensed milk is an ingredient I’ve long taken for granted.

I often keep it in my pantry.

Tray of Tres Leches with Pistachio and Cardamom

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Around the holidays, grocery stores stack towers of cans in baking-themed displays.

It’s as if it always existed.

So it’s fun to see the current creative resurgence of condensed milk.

Easy lime icebox cake with two slices taken out on a blue plate with forks

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

You’ll see examples of each condensed milk genre in this list, from old favorites to new approaches.

Whatever the recipe, you know opening a can is the beginning of something special.

Chill the crust for at least one hour before adding the filling."

Plates of Tres Leches with Pistachio and Cardamom with the Rest in a Baking Tray

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

But outside of Thailand, a restaurant is not your only point of access.

Make it at home for a fresher drink that’ll make a big dip in your weekly beverage budget.

But this dead clever version has me rethinking my strategy.

Million Dollar Pie

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Condensed milk makes it all possible.

Because doesn’t everyone want seconds of key lime pie anyway?

Betty Ann uses frozen pre-shredded cassava and coconut for ease.

Glass of Thai Iced Tea (No Milk Added), and in the Background More Glasses of Thai Ice Tea (With Milk Added)

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Condensed milk makes the cake custardy and rich.

Condensed milk is the glue that melds the chips, coconut, and nuts over the graham cracker base.

Peanut Butter Pretzel Magic Bars

A magic bar variation with peanut butter plus salty and crunchy pretzels?

ice cream in a bowl

Simply Recipes / Christine Fiorentino

It just might supersede the traditional version of magic bars.

Chocolate Tres Leches Cake

Chocolate pervades every layer of this suave and sexy tres leches cake.

No-Churn Peach Cobbler Ice Cream

You don’t need no stinkin' ice cream makers!

banana pudding

Simply Recipes / Grace Elkus

It’s peach cobbler a la mode, all in one super-simple dessert.

Blend the limepeel and allwith water, sugar, and condensed milk, then strain and serve over ice.

2-Ingredient Hot Fudge

Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn

A microwave.

Texas trash pie in a pie dish with a slice cut out

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

The best ice cream sundaes ever are just minutes away.

Add whipped cream, chill, and this beauty is done.

But really, is there ever a wrong time for pumpkin spice?

Styled key lime bars

Cambrea Gordon / Simply Recipes

Ladoos can vary in character; these are creamy and fudgy, almost like bon bons.

It shines in a cup of hot coffee or ourThai iced tea recipe.

Cassava Cake Slices on a Banana Leaf Covered Wooden Tray

Simply Recipes / Frank Tiu

A large mason jar of easy homemade horchata with a cinnamon stick inside is in front of a similar glass and a pitcher of homemade horchata. A small bowl of rice and cinnamon sticks are to the left.

Marta Rivera

Overhead shot of magic cookie bars ready to eat

Irvin Lin

Magic Bars with Peanut Butter and Pretzels

Cindy Rahe

Slice of Chocolate Tres Leches Cake on a Small Plate with More in the Cake Pan Next to It

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Two homemade peach cobbler ice cream cones are set on either side of a cone with sliced peaches.

Marta Rivera

Homemade Sweet Refreshing Brazilian Lemonade with LImes and Sugar

Simply Recipes

Chopped chocolate and sweetened condensed milk in a bowl.

Simply Recipes / Myo Quinn

Lemon Icebox Pie recipe

Sally Vargas

No-Churn Pumpkin Spiced Ice Cream

Lisa Lin

Overhead shot of a homemade keylime pie, covered with whipped cream and with a linen beside

Elise Bauer

Pumpkin Ladoo on a Tray with Flowers

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Slice of Banoffee Pie on a Small Plate, and in the Background, More Pie in a Pie Pan

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Two glasses of coquito with nutmeg on top

Elise Bauer

Spoonful of Homemade Condensed Milk Poured Into a Cup of Coffee, and in the Background, a Kitchen Towel and a Jar With More Condensed Milk

Simply Recipes / Tara Omidvar