Condensed Milk Dulce de Leche

Indulge your taste buds with an incredibly sweet and decadent treat – Condensed Milk Dulce de Leche! This divinely smooth and creamy dessert is the perfect indulgence for any occasion, made with 3 different methods!

What is Dulce de Leche?

It's a sweet caramel treat enjoyed all over the world. Dulce de Leche is made by slowly heating sweetened milk, until it turns into caramel. Dulce de Leche is thought to have come from Argentina. Known by many names around the world.

• Caramel Treat - South Africa
• Sgushenka (Сгущёнка) - Russia and former USSR
• Top n Fill Caramel - Australia
• Dulce de Leche - Latin America and North America
• La Lechera - USA
• Milk Jam - Asia and Europe

Key Ingredients

• Can of Sweetened Condensed Milk - evaporated milk won't work
• Water - for boiling your can of milk

Making Condensed Milk Dulce de Leche

My mom would make homemade caramel from scratch by simmering fresh farm milk and sugar. It was time consuming and required constant stirring. It's much easier to make homemade dulce de leche using sweetened condensed milk.

Boiling Method

1. Clean - remove the wrapper around the can of condensed milk. Use a glue remover if necessary. Leaving the glue on the can leaves a sticky residue in your saucepan.
2. Fill Saucepan - place the sweetened condensed milk on its side in a saucepan and fully cover with about 2-3 inches of water.
3. Boil - bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and allow to cook for 2½ to 3 hours. 
4. Check Levels - top up with additional hot water as required, keeping the can fully submerged under water.
5. Cool - remove with tongs and cool for at least 1 hour before opening.

Instant Pot Method

1. Clean - remove the wrapper around the can of condensed milk. Use a glue remover if necessary. Leaving the glue on the can leaves a sticky residue in your Instant Pot.
2. Fill Instant Pot - place can sidewise inside the Instant Pot (on top of the internal trivet). Fill with water to the fill line.
3. Cook - set on HIGH for 30 minutes, allowing for a quick release when done.
4. Cool - carefully remove with tongs and cool for at least 1 hour before opening.

Slow Cooker Method

1. Clean - remove the wrapper around the can of condensed milk. Use a glue remover if necessary. Leaving the glue on the can leaves a sticky residue in your saucepan.
2. Fill - put condensed milk inside the slow cooker or crock pot. Fill with enough hot water to cover the cans
3. Cook - heat on low, cover with lid and cook for 8 hours.
4. Cool - carefully remove with tongs and cool for at least 1 hour before opening.

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• Evaporation - as it simmers in the saucepan, you will need to top it with with boiling water.
• Time - the longer the condensed milk cooks, the darker the caramel will become. At 2 hours cooking time, it's a light butterscotch color. At 3 hours cooking, it becomes a darker caramel.
• Make Extra - don't go through this effort by making 1 can, cook at least 2 cans and save some for later use.

Storaging Dulce de Leche

• Pantry - if cooked condensed milk is unopened, then you can store it in the pantry until you're ready to use
• Fridge - if dulce de leche is opened, keep in a closed container. Use within 2 weeks for best texture.

Condensed Milk Dulce de Leche Ideas

This is a super easy Dulce de Leche recipe that anyone can make at home, without making a mess! From Latin America to Russia, so many ways to enjoy this sweet caramel treat.

• Pancakes - the perfect sweet spread to enjoy with breakfast
• Wafer Cake - spread across an Eastern European layered waffle cake
• Churros - dip warm churros into warmed dulce de leche
• Blini Crepes - spread across crepes
• Ice Cream - drizzle of vanilla or chocolate ice cream
• Peppermint Crisp Tart - a key ingredient in this South African dessert
• Toast - spread a layer over warm toast
• Mini Tart Shells - fill mini tart shells with dulce de leche for an easy dessert (topped with fresh whipped cream)

Make your next treat one to remember with condensed milk Dulce de Leche! This Latin-inspired treat is a creamy, sweet, and indulgent treat. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a dessert that is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave everyone asking for more. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

©PetersFoodAdventures.com *originally posted November 2018, updated March 2023