Creamy Homemade Dulce de Leche from Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipe
Dulce de Leche is a rich, creamy caramel sauce made by slowly cooking sweetened condensed milk until it transforms into a thick, amber-colored delight. This versatile treat can be prepared by boiling canned condensed milk or baking it in a water bath, producing a luscious sweet spread perfect for desserts, toppings, or enjoying by itself.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 to 3 hours (boiling), 1 hour 45 minutes (baking)
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes to 3 hours 5 minutes (boiling), 1 hour 50 minutes (baking)
- Yield: About 1 cup
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Boiling or Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
Instructions
- Preparing for Boiling Method: Remove the label from the can of sweetened condensed milk. If making more than one can, ensure your pot is large enough to submerge all cans fully.
- Boiling the Condensed Milk: Place the unlabeled can(s) in a large pot and fill it with water, covering the cans completely by 1-2 inches. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 2 hours for a light golden dulce de leche or up to 3 hours for a darker, richer amber color. Monitor the water level and add more boiling water as needed to keep cans submerged throughout cooking.
- Preparing for Baking Method: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a pie dish or cake pan. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Baking the Condensed Milk: Place the covered dish into a deep roasting pan. Fill the roasting pan with hot water until it reaches about an inch up the sides of the dish. Carefully place in the oven and bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes, or adjust the time to achieve your preferred depth of caramel color.
- Cooling and Finishing: Remove the dulce de leche from heat or oven and allow it to cool completely. Whisk well to smooth out any lumps and achieve a creamy texture ready for use.
Notes
- Always keep the cans submerged in water while boiling to prevent them from exploding.
- The darker the dulce de leche, the richer and more intense the flavor becomes.
- The baking method allows more control over texture and color but takes less active monitoring time.
- Use caution when handling hot cans or dishes to avoid burns.
- Store dulce de leche in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
