These chewy condensed milk fruit squares are super tasty and so easy to whip up with just three ingredients. They’re the perfect little fruity snack.
Packed with dried fruit and sweetness from the condensed milk, they're ready in under 40 minutes, including prep. No fancy tools or long steps, just mix, bake, and enjoy 😋
Ingredient list and substitutes if needed
1 ¼ cups (150g) self-rising flour (self-raising flour) This flour already has baking powder mixed in, so it's convenient. If you don’t have it, mix 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder into 1 ¼ cups (150g) plain flour to make your own.
1 ¼ cups (250g) dried fruit mix: I used raisins, candied cherries, and cranberries, but you can use any dried fruit you like, such as dates, figs, or dried mango. Feel free to add chopped nuts for extra crunch. The exact ratio isn’t important—just make sure the total is 1 ¼ cups (250g).
14 oz can (397 grams) sweetened condensed milk: Use the whole can for these fruit squares—it's the secret to their rich, decadent texture. Just make sure you don’t accidentally grab evaporated milk, as it won’t work in this recipe.
Visual Instructions
Here are step by step pictures so you can see what the batter at each stage should look like.
The full printable recipe with amounts and instructions are at the end of this post.
- In a bowl, mix the self-raising flour and dried fruit with a spoon.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk
- Stir until everything is well combined. The mixture will be quite thick, so be sure to scoop up any flour from the bottom of the bowl and use a sturdy spoon or spatula for mixing.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread it out evenly.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it has a light golden crust and base.
- Once baked, let it cool for about 15 minutes before cutting into squares. Sprinkle with icing or powdered sugar to decorate if you like.
Tips
Prep Your Pan Well: Grease and line the pan with baking paper, making sure to leave some overhang. For extra assurance, you can also spray the parchment with non-stick spray. This makes it easier to lift the squares out of the pan once they're baked.
Mix Thoroughly: Since the mixture will be thick, ensure you mix everything well and scrape up any flour that settles at the bottom of the bowl.
Even Spreading: When transferring the mixture to the pan, spread it out evenly and press it down to make sure it bakes uniformly. This will help achieve a consistent texture.
Watch the Baking Time: Keep an eye on the squares as they bake, you want a light golden crust, so remember to check them a few minutes before 25 minutes to avoid overbaking.
Cooling Time: Let the squares cool in the pan for a few minutes before cutting them. This helps them set properly and makes cutting easier.
Storage
Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. This helps them stay fresh and maintain their texture.
Freezer: For longer storage, freeze in an airtight container freezer safe bag for up to 3 months. To thaw, let them sit at room temperature or microwave for a few seconds.
Enjoy 😋
Recipe
3 ingredient Condensed Milk Fruit Squares
- 1 ¼ cup (150g) self rising flour (self raising flour) (see note 1)
- 1 ¼ cups (250g) dried fruit mix (see note 2)
- 14 oz can (397g) sweetened condensed milk (see note 3)
- Grease and line an 8-inch (20 cm) square pan with baking paper, leaving an overhang to make it easier to lift out later.
- Preheat the oven to 356°F / 180°C (160°C fan).
- In a bowl, mix the self-rising flour (self raising flour) and dried fruit with a spoon.
- Add the sweetened condensed milk and stir until everything is well combined. The mixture will be quite thick, so be sure to scoop up any flour from the bottom of the bowl and use a sturdy spoon or spatula for mixing.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it has a light golden crust and base.
- Once baked, let it cool for a few minutes before cutting into squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar (icing sugar) to decorate if you like.
Video
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Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says
I love that this is only 3-ingredients and takes only 25-minutes to whip up! That fruit cake mix is perfect in these squares to give them that holiday flavor 🙂
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
Three ingredients and one of them is sweetened condensed milk? I'm all over these! They sound wonderful!
neil@neilshealthymeals.com says
Using condensed milk to bind everything together is genius! As you say the recipe also then needs no added sugar. I love it. These are superb milk fruit squares Ashika!
Maria | kitchenathoskins says
I've never heard of such a bar!! Such an easy Christmas treat and it is perfect for gift giving or just snacking! I'm gonna try this in the next couple of days:)
Emma @ Bake Then Eat says
I love the simplicity of these bars, such a treat.
Kaf says
Baked a batch for Bank Bol Sunday just waiting to remove from oven. Yummy!
Janitha Singh says
I felt like a fruit cake. Came across this recipe. Tweekef it a bit as my fruit was a bit dry. Boiled fruit in a bit of water and a blob of butter to rehydrate it. Added a pinch of bicarb. Added the condensed milk and some almonds. A tbs of brandy. Folded in the flour. Baked 30 min.
Great taste for a quick and easy cake.
Margaret D says
Hi, can these be frozen. Thanks
The Gardening Foodie says
Hi Margaret, Yes, this recipe can be frozen for up to 2 months. After baking and cutting the mixture into squares, allow them to cool completely.
Then, you can wrap the individual squares tightly with plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container.
Label and date the package or container, and store it in the freezer. When you're ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the squares at room temperature or reheat them in the oven for a few minutes.
Happy baking 😊
Cathy says
Just found your recipe and it looks delicious and thought it’d be a great way to use up some glacé fruit left over from Christmas. Do you know if coconut condensed milk will work ok? I can’t drink dairy, so usually (& sadly!) have to skip these kind of recipes ☹️
The Gardening Foodie says
Hi Cathy, Yes, you can use coconut condensed milk as a substitute for sweetened condensed milk in this recipe.
Keep in mind however that coconut condensed milk might impart a slightly different flavor to the recipe compared to using traditional sweetened condensed milk, as it will have a coconut flavor.
If you're okay with that flavor, then go ahead and use it following the same measurements and instructions in the recipe.
Happy baking 😊
Yasmin says
What other size baking tin can be used
The Gardening Foodie says
Hello, Any baking dish is suitable for this recipe, whether it's an 8-inch (20cm) square or round pan. What size are you considering?
Yasmin says
Thank you very much for your quick reply. I have a round 8 inch and a 9 inch baking tin, which one would work better for this recipe?
The Gardening Foodie says
Hello Yasmin, glad to assist ☺️
Either of the two baking pans will work.
Opt for the 8-inch pan if you prefer thicker fruit squares, just remember to bake them for about 5 minutes longer than the specified recipe due to the increased thickness.
Alternatively, if you choose the 9-inch pan, expect thinner fruit squares and reduce the baking time by 5 minutes.
I hope this helps ☺️
Enjoy your baking!
Yasmin says
Thank you very much 😊
Vi says
Thank you for this easy fruitcake recipe. I have made the cake several times and always get compliments from family and friends.
The Gardening Foodie says
You're very welcome 😊 I'm so glad to hear your that your family and friends enjoy this recipe.
Thanks for making it and for the kind words 😊
Christine Slimm says
Lovely recipes, at 84 years old they’re new to me. The photos and diagrams are awesome.
The Gardening Foodie says
Hi Christine, I know this reply is a little late, but I just wanted to say thank you so much for your kind words.
It means a lot that you're enjoying the recipes, especially coming from someone with such amazing kitchen experience. I'm so glad the photos and diagrams are helpful too. Hope you're still finding new favorites to try 😊