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Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel (Dulce de Leche)

Dulce De Leche is the king of all caramels. And it's effortless if you make it in a slow cooker with sweetened condensed milk! I have also provided directions for making this on the stove top as well.

Prep Time
1 min
Cook Time
8 hrs
Total Time
8 hrs 1 min
Servings: 3 cups
Calories: 214 kcal
Course: Dessert , Condiments
Cuisine: South American

Ingredients

  • 2 cans sweetened condensed milk (395g / 14 oz each) (see notes)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place cans in slow cooker on their side. Don’t worry about removing the label.
  2. Cover cans with hot tap water until the water is about 5 cm / 2” above the cans.
  3. Set slow cooker for 8 hours on low.
  4. If you want your caramel to be a really dark golden colour, slow cook for a further 2 hours.
  5. Remove cans from slow cooker using tongs. DO NOT OPEN CANS WHILE HOT. The contents might burst out – dangerous!
  6. Submerge cans in cold water to cool before opening. It only takes 10 minutes or so.
  7. Open cans.
  8. If not using right away, transfer into jars or air tight containers, do not leave it in the can.
To make on stove top
    Cup of Yum
  1. Place cans in a large pot and cover with water so that it is 5 cm / 2 inches above the cans.
  2. Place on a small burner and bring JUST to boil - don't walk away, you don't want to leave the cans boiling in water.
  3. Then turn down the heat to medium low (or low if you stove is powerful), put the lid on and let it simmer for 2 hours to get the consistency and colour as per the photos you see, otherwise for 3 hours if you want to darker and thicker.
  4. Remove from the pot. Allow to cool before opening (otherwise the Dulce De Leche might burst out when you open it). You can speed up the process by submerging the cans in cold water.

Notes

  • You must use sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk. It won’t work with evaporated milk.
  • If your slow cooker leaks a lot of water, you should increase the water quantity. If the water dries out during cooking, the cans might burst open.
  • The Dulce De Leche will keep in the fridge for up to 1 month.
  • When the Dulce De Leche is warmed, it becomes pourable like a thick caramel. At room temperature or fridge cold, it is thicker, like a spread.
  • You can use a touch of water or milk to thin it out slightly if you want to drizzle it over something.
  • Suggestions for use:• As a sweetener + milk in coffee• Use as spread on muffins, toast or graham crackers• Drizzled over cakes and cupcakes. Fancy!• Caramel layer in slices• Over crepes and pancakes• Cheesecake• As a dip for churros (it is, after all, South American!)• As a gift – jar it and add labels and/or tags
  •  Nutrition facts per serving assuming 3 cups (2 cans of sweetened condensed milk) serves 12 people.

Nutrition Information

Serving 67g Calories 214cal (11%) Carbohydrates 36.3g (12%) Protein 5.3g (11%) Fat 5.8g (9%) Saturated Fat 3.7g (19%) Cholesterol 23mg (8%) Sodium 85mg (4%) Potassium 247mg (7%) Sugar 36.3g (73%) Vitamin A 200IU (4%) Vitamin C 2.5mg (3%) Calcium 190mg (19%) Iron 0.2mg (1%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 3cups

Amount Per Serving

Calories 214

% Daily Value*

Serving 67g
Calories 214cal 11%
Carbohydrates 36.3g 12%
Protein 5.3g 11%
Fat 5.8g 9%
Saturated Fat 3.7g 19%
Cholesterol 23mg 8%
Sodium 85mg 4%
Potassium 247mg 5%
Sugar 36.3g 73%
Vitamin A 200IU 4%
Vitamin C 2.5mg 3%
Calcium 190mg 19%
Iron 0.2mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.