Decadent Fudge Brownies Made with Sweetened Condensed Milk

These sweetened condensed milk brownies are rich, fudgy, and perfectly sweet. This one-bowl brownie recipe is easy to make and utterly irresistible.

hand holding a fudge brownie

I’m a chocolate lover through and through—dark, deeply flavored, and extra fudgy. Brownies are one of my favorite desserts, so I hold them to high standards. A dry, cakey brownie won’t do; these sweetened condensed milk brownies are the opposite: gooey, intensely chocolatey, and studded with semi-sweet chips.

If you have a spare can of sweetened condensed milk and want a simple, show-stopping dessert, condensed milk brownies are a perfect choice. They bake up fast, require just one bowl, and deliver a decadent, fudgy texture every time.

Why you’ll love it

  • One-bowl recipe – Everything comes together in one bowl and it only takes minutes to prepare before baking.
  • Ultra fudgy – These brownies emphasize richness and gooeyness over a cakey crumb, thanks to the sweetened condensed milk and chocolate.
  • Customizable – Add nuts, candy, or swirls of peanut butter or jam to make them your own.

Ingredients

ingredients for condensed milk brownies

Butter – Unsalted butter is preferred for baking so you can control salt levels. If you use salted butter, omit added salt.

Dark chocolate – Use good-quality dark chocolate or chips for depth of flavor. This ingredient makes a big difference.

Sugar – A little sugar helps balance the chocolate, since sweetened condensed milk already adds sweetness.

Sweetened condensed milk – This creates an ultra-rich, tender, fudgy brownie. Be sure to use sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk.

Dark cocoa powder – Dutch-processed or dark cocoa adds color and chocolate intensity. I use Hershey’s dark cocoa.

Eggs – Large eggs add structure and richness.

All-purpose flour – Brownies need only a small amount of flour; use more and they’ll become cakier. For gluten-free, substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.

Baking powder – Gives a slight rise and a nicely cracked top.

Salt – A pinch enhances and rounds the chocolate flavors.

Chocolate chips – Semisweet chips give extra pockets of melty chocolate; you can swap or add other mix-ins as desired.

How to make condensed milk brownies

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8 inch baking pan by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray.

Melt butter & chocolate

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter and dark chocolate. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until the mixture is completely melted and smooth.

butter and chocolate in a bowl, melted butter and chocolate

Add the sugar

Stir in the sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and dark cocoa powder until fully incorporated and glossy.

a bowl of melted chocolate with cocoa powder and sweetened condensed milk

Add the eggs

Lightly whisk the eggs in a small bowl, then fold them into the chocolate mixture. Whisking them first prevents overmixing the batter.

Avoid overmixing—too much mixing can add air and produce a cakier brownie.

Add the dry ingredients

Gently fold in the flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined, then stir in the chocolate chips.

brownie batter with flour on top, brownie batter with chocolate chips on top

Bake the brownies

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and sprinkle with a few extra chocolate chips. Bake for about 30 to 32 minutes. The edges should be set while the center remains slightly underdone and jiggly—this ensures a fudgy texture once cooled.

brownie batter in a baking dish

Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing to get clean squares. Enjoy!

Variations & Substitutions

Toppings: Swirl peanut butter or raspberry jam into the batter before baking, or spread a ganache over cooled brownies.

Mix-ins: Replace or add to the chocolate chips with chopped nuts, white chocolate, crushed cookies, candy pieces, or M&M’s.

Gluten-free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour and gluten-free chocolate chips to make this recipe gluten-free.

a plate of fudgy brownies

Storage & Freezing

How to store brownies

Cool brownies to room temperature, then store in an airtight container. Keep them on the counter for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to one week.

How to freeze brownies

Cut brownies into squares and freeze them individually on a tray until firm. Transfer frozen squares to a resealable bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave.

Recipe Tips

  • Don’t overbake. The center should still be slightly jiggly when you remove the pan; it will set as it cools.
  • Cool before slicing. Cutting warm brownies often leads to messy, falling-apart pieces. Wait at least 30 minutes.
  • Fudgier as they cool. Brownies firm up and become fudgier as they rest; if you prefer warm, serve immediately but expect looser slices.
  • Avoid overmixing. Stir just until the dry ingredients are incorporated to keep the texture dense and fudgy.
hand holding a brownie

Brownie FAQs

What makes brownies fudgy instead of cakey?

Fudgy brownies contain more fat and less flour. Reducing flour and increasing fat produces a denser, chewier texture, while more flour yields a cakier result.

Can condensed milk be used in baking?

Yes. Sweetened condensed milk is a staple in many desserts—like key lime pie, seven-layer bars, tres leches, and custom fudges—because it adds sweetness, creaminess, and structure.

How should I cut the brownies?

For neat squares, cool the brownies completely before slicing. Chilling them makes cutting even easier. Use a sharp serrated knife and wipe it between cuts for smooth edges.

Sweetened Condensed Milk Brownies

hand holding a fudge brownie

Author: Carolyn

Yield: 12 brownies

Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 35 mins | Total time: 45 mins

Ingredients

  • 10 tablespoons (5 ounces) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free substitute)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8×8 inch pan with nonstick spray. Lightly whisk the eggs in a small bowl.
  2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and dark chocolate chips in 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
  3. Stir in sugar, sweetened condensed milk, and dark cocoa powder until combined.
  4. Add the whisked eggs and mix until incorporated.
  5. Fold in flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Stir in the semisweet chocolate chips.
  7. Pour batter into the prepared pan, top with a few extra chips, and bake for about 30 minutes. The center should still jiggle slightly.
  8. Cool completely before slicing. Enjoy.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 363 kcal • Carbohydrates: 41 g • Protein: 6 g • Fat: 21 g • Saturated Fat: 13 g • Sugar: 30 g • Sodium: 162 mg

Tried this recipe? Let us know how it went!