Indulge in the creamy, caramel charm of Dulce de Leche, a simple yet luxurious treat that melts decadently in your mouth. It offers a heavenly flavor journey with every spoonful.
If you are looking for recipes that incorporate this delectable Dulce de Leche, you must check out my Alfajores Cookies and my Banoffee Pie.
Table of Contents
- Deliciousness Using One Ingredient
- What’s the Difference Between Caramel and Dulce de Leche?
- Reasons to Love Dulce de Leche
- Recipe Ingredients
- Variations
- How to Make Dulce de Leche
- Ways to Enjoy Dulce de Leche
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storage Info
- More Delicious Recipes That You’ll Love
- Dulce de Leche Recipe
Deliciousness Using One Ingredient
No, you did not read that wrong. To make this rich and creamy homemade Dulce de Leche, you only need one ingredient! And if that wasn’t great enough, you can also put this recipe on just about anything! Quick and easy to put together and having so many uses, it really doesn’t get better than this!
What’s the Difference Between Caramel and Dulce de Leche?
Dulce de Leche and caramel, while similar in appearance and taste, have distinct preparation methods and ingredients. Dulce de Leche is traditionally made by gently simmering a can of sweetened condensed milk (or a blend of milk and sugar) for an extended period until it thickens into a creamy, golden consistency with a rich, caramel-like flavor.
This process differs from caramel sauce, which involves browning sugar and then adding cream and butter, creating a sauce with a sugary, buttery flavor and a more liquid consistency. An interesting variation of Dulce de Leche is cajeta, which is made using goat’s milk instead of cow’s milk.
Reasons to Love Dulce de Leche
- Its creamy texture creates an irresistibly smooth mouthfeel.
- I love that Dulce de Leche’s versatility stands out in a range of desserts.
- Its long shelf life and ease of storage make it a convenient pantry staple.
Recipe Ingredients
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: It provides a rich, creamy texture and a deep, caramelized sweetness.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Vanilla Extract: Adding a splash enhances the flavor with a subtle, fragrant sweetness.
- Sea Salt: A pinch can be stirred in after cooking to create a salted Dulce de Leche version.
- Cinnamon or Nutmeg: Adding a dash of either spice can infuse the Dulce de Leche with warm, aromatic flavors, perfect for a more autumnal twist.
How to Make Dulce de Leche
Step #1: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
Step #2: Grab your can of sweetened condensed milk and pour it into a 9×9″ baking dish.
Step #3: Next, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Be sure it is secured tightly so that no water from the water bath it will go into gets into the dish with the sweetened condensed milk.
Step #4: Place the 9×9″ baking dish into a larger dish, such as a 13×9″ pan.
Step #5: Add hot water to the large dish until it is about halfway up the 9×9″ dish.
Step #6: Place the dish in your oven and cook for 90 minutes, checking the water level every 30 minutes and adding more water into the water bath that has evaporated while cooking.
Step #7: After 90 minutes of cooking, remove it from the oven and take the 9×9″ pan out of the larger pan and the water bath. When you remove the foil, you should see that the color should be a caramel-like color.
Step #8: Using a whisk, whisk the cooked sweetened condensed milk until it is silky and smooth, and voila, you have creamy Dulce de Leche!
Ways to Enjoy Dulce de Leche
- Dessert Topping and Filling: It enhances ice cream, cakes, and cupcakes, adds a caramel swirl to brownies, enriches cheesecakes, and is a decadent addition to pancakes, waffles, toast, and crepes.
- Snacks and Breakfast: Also great for snacks and breakfast, this sauce is perfect in milkshakes, as a cookie spread or dip, and as a rich topping for waffles.
- Beverage Flavoring or Simple Indulgence: Use it to sweeten beverages like coffee or cocoa, adding a rich, caramel flavor. For those who enjoy its pure taste, savoring a spoonful directly offers a quick and delightful treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is done when it turns a rich caramel color. It should also thicken significantly. If it’s still too light or too fluid after the recommended time, you can extend the cooking time in short increments until the desired consistency and color are reached.
If it’s too thick, you can thin it out by whisking in a small amount of hot milk or cream. If it’s too thin, continue to cook it for a bit longer, checking frequently until it thickens.
Storage Info
Store this sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator; it will stay good for up to 3 weeks. To freeze, store it in your freezer and it can last up to 3 months in the freezer. To use after freezing, thaw it in the fridge.
You can reheat this sauce by placing it in a microwave-safe container and heating it in short bursts, stirring in between, or gently warming it in a saucepan over low heat.
More Delicious Recipes That You’ll Love
Dulce de Leche Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
- Grab your can of sweetened condensed milk and pour it into a 9×9" baking dish.
- Next, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Be sure it is secured tightly so that no water from the water bath it will go into gets into the dish with the sweetened condensed milk.
- Place the 9×9" baking dish into a larger dish, such as a 13×9" pan.
- Add hot water to the large dish until it is about halfway up the 9×9" dish.
- Place the dish in your oven and cook for 90 minutes, checking the water level every 30 minutes and adding more water into the water bath that has evaporated while cooking.
- After 90 minutes of cooking, remove it from the oven and take the 9×9" pan out of the larger pan and the water bath. When you remove the foil, you should see that the color should be a caramel-like color.
- Using a whisk, whisk the cooked sweetened condensed milk until it is silky and smooth and voila, you have creamy Dulce de Leche!
VIDEO
NOTES
Nutrition
Gave this a go and it turned out better than I thought. I added a splash of vanilla extract at the end and it gave it a nice twist.