If you’ve ever tasted the rich, creamy sweetness of homemade caramel, you know it’s irresistible. This Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel (Dulce de Leche) Recipe is a foolproof way to transform just a couple of simple ingredients into a luscious, velvety caramel that feels like a warm hug in dessert form. There’s something magical about how sweetened condensed milk slowly transforms into golden, thick caramel when cooked gently—perfect for drizzling, dipping, or spooning straight from the jar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Believe it or not, this recipe is wonderfully simple, relying on just one key ingredient that’s often already in your pantry. Each element in this Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel (Dulce de Leche) Recipe plays a crucial role in crafting that smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich color.
- Sweetened condensed milk (2 cans, 395g / 14 oz each): This concentrated milk provides the perfect balance of creaminess and sweetness and is the star of the show in creating your luscious caramel.
How to Make Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel (Dulce de Leche) Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Cans
Place your sweetened condensed milk cans on their side inside a slow cooker. There’s no need to unwrap or remove the labels. This step is surprisingly simple but critical because it ensures the cans heat evenly as they cook slowly.
Step 2: Add Water Carefully
Fill the slow cooker with hot tap water, making sure it covers the cans by about 5 centimeters (or 2 inches). This water bath gently cooks the milk without burning it, creating that silky caramel texture everyone loves.
Step 3: Set the Slow Cooker
Switch your slow cooker to low and let it work its magic for eight hours. This slow process transforms the condensed milk into a rich, golden caramel. Patience definitely pays off here.
Step 4: Darken the Caramel (Optional)
If you’re craving a deeper, darker golden caramel, you can extend the cooking time by an additional two hours. Just remember, the longer it cooks, the richer and more intense the flavor becomes.
Step 5: Remove with Care
Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the cans using tongs. Be very cautious—do not open the cans while they’re hot. The contents can burst out unexpectedly, which is dangerous, so take your time.
Step 6: Cool the Cans
Submerge the sealed cans in cold water for about 10 minutes to cool them down safely before opening. This quick cooling step makes handling the cans easier and safer.
Step 7: Open and Transfer
Open the cans and admire that beautiful, glossy caramel inside. If you’re not planning to use it immediately, transfer the dulce de leche to jars or airtight containers. Leaving it in the can isn’t recommended for storage.
How to Serve Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel (Dulce de Leche) Recipe
Garnishes
This caramel is divine on its own, but a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, chopped toasted nuts, or a dusting of cinnamon can elevate its flavor, balancing the sweetness and adding texture.
Side Dishes
Pair your dulce de leche with fresh fruit like sliced apples or pears, warm pancakes, waffles, or spread it on toast. It also shines as a luscious dip for churros or drizzled over vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful and use this caramel as a filling for cakes, swirled into cheesecakes, or layered in parfaits. Its smooth, rich texture makes it ideal for transforming everyday desserts into memorable moments.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover dulce de leche in airtight containers in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and ready to enjoy for up to two weeks, making it perfect for quick dessert fixes.
Freezing
You can freeze this caramel in small portions for up to three months. When you’re ready to use it, just thaw overnight in the fridge to maintain its creamy consistency.
Reheating
To warm your dulce de leche, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it gently in short bursts, stirring in between. This prevents overheating and keeps the caramel smooth and silky.
FAQs
Can I use any brand of sweetened condensed milk for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to use sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk. Different brands might yield slight variations in flavor, but all should work beautifully for this recipe.
Is it safe to cook the cans in the slow cooker without opening them?
Yes, it’s perfectly safe as long as you follow the instructions carefully—especially never opening the cans while they are hot. The slow cooking and water bath method gently transforms the milk without risk when handled properly.
What should I do if my caramel is too thick?
If your dulce de leche turns out thicker than you’d like, stir in a tiny splash of milk and warm it gently. This will loosen the texture without compromising the flavor.
Can I speed up the cooking process?
While tempting, it’s best to stick to the slow cooker’s low setting for the full time. Rushing the caramelization risks uneven cooking and might affect the silky texture you’re aiming for.
How can I tell when the caramel is done?
The caramel should be a beautiful golden to deep amber color, thick but still spreadable. If you prefer a darker, more intense flavor, just cook it a bit longer as described in the recipe steps.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel (Dulce de Leche) Recipe enough. It’s incredibly simple, requires minimal effort, and the result is pure, creamy magic that elevates any treat. Whether you’re drizzling it over your morning toast or swirling it into dessert, it’s sure to bring a little extra sweetness to your day.
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Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel (Dulce de Leche) Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 1 minute
- Yield: 3.3 cups
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Description
This Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel, also known as Dulce de Leche, is a luscious, creamy caramel sauce made by slow cooking unopened cans of sweetened condensed milk. The slow cooker method transforms the milk’s sugars into a rich, golden caramel over several hours, creating a versatile treat perfect for drizzling over desserts, spreading on toast, or incorporating into recipes.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 cans sweetened condensed milk (395g / 14 oz each)
Instructions
- Prepare the cans: Place the unopened cans of sweetened condensed milk on their side inside the slow cooker. There is no need to remove the labels from the cans.
- Add water: Pour hot tap water into the slow cooker until it covers the cans by about 5 cm (2 inches). This ensures even cooking and prevents the cans from overheating.
- Slow cook: Set your slow cooker to low heat and cook the cans for 8 hours. This slow process transforms the milk into creamy caramel.
- Optional deeper color: For a darker, richer caramel color and flavor, extend the cooking time by an additional 2 hours (total 10 hours).
- Remove safely: After cooking, carefully remove the hot cans from the slow cooker using tongs. Be cautious not to open the cans while hot, as the contents may burst out dangerously due to pressure buildup.
- Cool the cans: Submerge the cans in cold water for about 10 minutes to cool them down before opening.
- Open and serve: Once cooled, open the cans to reveal smooth, golden dulce de leche.
- Store properly: If not using immediately, transfer the caramel to jars or airtight containers. Do not store it in the cans.
Notes
- Do not open the cans while hot to avoid risk of injury from the pressurized contents.
- Make sure the cans remain fully submerged during cooking by topping up the water as needed to prevent burning or explosion risk.
- The caramel thickens further as it cools; stir well before use.
- This method preserves a silky texture and deep caramel flavor without baking or stovetop attention.
