Manjar or dulce de leche - traditional stovetop preparation
User Reviews
4.9
417 reviews
Excellent
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Cook Time
3 hrs
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Total Time
3 hrs
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Servings
2 cups
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Course
Dessert
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Cuisine
South American, Peruvian, Venezuelan, Colombian, Ecuadorian
Manjar or dulce de leche - traditional stovetop preparation
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Manjar, also known as dulce de leche, is a creamy caramel spread made by slowly reducing and caramelizing milk, sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of baking soda on the stovetop. The process results in a thickened, golden caramel with a smooth texture and rich, sweet flavor.
Description
The traditional stovetop Manjar or dulce de leche starts with combining whole milk, sugar, vanilla, and baking soda in a pot over medium-low heat. The sugar is dissolved, then the mixture is cooked on low while stirring frequently. Over 2½ to 3 hours, the liquid gradually evaporates and the color deepens to a caramel hue. Stirring becomes more frequent toward the end to prevent burning and achieve a creamy consistency.
This caramel spread can be served warm or cold and refrigerated for storage. It is used as a sweet topping or filling in many desserts, prized for its smooth texture and sweet, milky caramel flavor.
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Ingredients
- 8 cups whole milk
- 2 to 2 ½ cups sugar adjust based on the level of sweetness you prefer, or panela/piloncillo raspadura
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in large pot over medium low heat, stir until the sugar or panela is well dissolved. Reduce the heat to low.
- Continue cooking until the mixture is significantly reduced and starts to thicken while the color changes from a creamy beige to a caramel tone – it will take between 2 ½ hours to 3 hours for the dulce de leche to be done.
- During the first 1 ½ hours you will need to stir occasionally to prevent it from boiling over and sticking. During the last hour it needs to be stirred more frequently and has to be watched very closely to keep it from burning – you can also decrease the heat to low. Cook it until it has a dark amber or caramel tone and has a creamy consistency. Keep in mind that it will thicken more when it cools down.
- Can be served warm or cold and must be kept refrigerated.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
417 reviews
Excellent
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