Condensed Milk Cookies

If you love cookies that are soft, rich, and packed with flavor, these Condensed Milk Cookies will become one of your go-to recipes. The combination of butter and condensed milk creates a beautifully tender texture — slightly crisp on the edges but wonderfully soft in the center. These cookies are simple to prepare, made with basic pantry ingredients, and customizable with your favorite add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or even dried fruits.

This recipe is perfect for beginners and experienced bakers alike, and the dough comes together in minutes. Whether you’re baking for your family, a special gathering, or just to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea, these cookies never disappoint.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ultra-soft texture thanks to the sweetened condensed milk
Quick and easy — no fancy tools needed
Customizable (add chocolate, nuts, coconut, white chocolate, etc.)
Great for kids and adults
Delicious aroma of butter and vanilla as they bake

Ingredients (with notes)

Wet Ingredients

1 cup (250g) unsalted butter, softened
Softened butter creates a smooth and creamy base. Make sure it’s at room temperature.
½ cup (120ml) sweetened condensed milk
This adds richness, moisture, and a subtle caramel sweetness.
½ cup (100g) sugar
Regular granulated sugar works well. If you want a deeper flavor, you can replace a few tablespoons with light brown sugar.
1 tsp vanilla extract
Adds warm flavor. Natural vanilla is always best!

Dry Ingredients

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
Provides structure to the cookies.
½ tsp baking powder
Gives a slight lift so the cookies aren’t too dense.
Pinch of salt
Enhances flavor and balances sweetness.

Mix-ins (optional but recommended)

½ cup (80g) chocolate chips or chunks
You can use milk, dark, or white chocolate — or even a mix for a richer cookie.

How to Make Condensed Milk Cookies (Step-by-Step)

Step 1 — Cream the Butter & Sugar

Place the softened butter and sugar in a large bowl.
Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat them together until the mixture becomes light, creamy, and pale in color.
This process incorporates air and gives the cookies a soft, tender texture.

Step 2 — Add Condensed Milk & Vanilla

Pour in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract.
Mix again until fully combined and smooth. The mixture will be creamy and slightly thick.

Step 3 — Combine Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, sift together:

Flour
Baking powder
Salt

Sifting helps avoid lumps and produces a more delicate cookie texture.

Step 4 — Form the Dough

Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture.
Use a spatula or mixer on low speed to blend until the dough comes together.
The dough should be soft, pliable, and not sticky.

Step 5 — Add Chocolate Chips

Fold in the chocolate chips or chunks until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 6 — Chill the Dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20–30 minutes.
Chilling helps:

prevent spreading
make shaping easier
enhance flavor

Step 7 — Preheat and Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F).
Line your baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.

Step 8 — Shape the Cookies

Scoop out small portions of dough (about 1 tablespoon each).
Roll into balls, then gently flatten them with your fingers or the back of a spoon.
Place them on the tray, leaving space for them to spread slightly during baking.

Step 9 — Bake to Perfection

Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until:

the edges are lightly golden
the center is still soft
the tops look slightly matte (not shiny)

Avoid overbaking — the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.

Step 10 — Cool & Enjoy

Let the cookies cool on the tray for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

Texture & Flavor

These cookies are known for their:

Lightly crisp edges
Soft, buttery center
Delicate vanilla aroma
Balanced sweetness from condensed milk

They stay soft for days — perfect for lunchboxes, teatime, or gifting!

Variations to Try

You can customize these cookies easily:

• Coconut Condensed Milk Cookies

Add ½ cup shredded coconut for a tropical flavor.

• White Chocolate & Cranberry

Mix in ½ cup white chocolate chips + ¼ cup dried cranberries.

• Nutty Delight

Add ½ cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts.

• Double Chocolate

Use ¾ cup chocolate chunks and add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the flour mixture.

• Lemon Twist

Add 1 tbsp lemon zest for a fresh, zesty aroma.

Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls for up to 2 months — just bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the baking time.