When you heat sweetened condensed milk, the sugar molecules start to break down and recombine into a new compound, which gives caramel its distinctive flavor and texture. It's a bit like cooking alchemy, where you take a simple ingredient and turn it into something entirely new and amazing. But, don't worry, you don't need to be a scientist to make it happen.
The process of making caramel from sweetened condensed milk is surprisingly straightforward. You simply heat the milk in a saucepan or in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until it turns a deep amber color and develops a rich, caramel flavor. It's a bit like watching a timer tick down, as you wait for the milk to transform into caramel.
One of the coolest things about making caramel from sweetened condensed milk is that you can customize the flavor to your liking. Want a sea salt caramel? Just add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to the milk before heating it. Want a vanilla caramel? Add a scrape of vanilla bean to the mix. The possibilities are endless, and it's up to you to experiment and find your favorite flavor combinations.
How to Make Caramel from Condensed Milk on the Stove