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This Dulce De Leche recipe is made with sweetened condensed milk for a sweet, gooey, and oh so easy treat. Our sweetened condensed milk caramel is made in the crockpot with just one ingredient.
Have you ever heard of the goodness that is dulce de leche?
Because if not, I’m about to change your life with this sweetened condensed milk caramel sauce that is rich and creamy, sweet and full of caramel flavor, and perfect for dipping fruit, drizzling over ice cream, or topping a cheesecake.
You can use this as the caramel layer in my caramel rice krispies treats or drizzle it over our apple cider donut cake. This would be heavenly on our pumpkin waffles, too.
You’d never guess that this dulce de leche recipe calls for just one simple ingredient. No one will realize that you just pop it in the crockpot and walk away. Everyone will think you’re some master caramel candy maker.
What Is Dulce De Leche?
Dulce de Leche is otherwise known as caramelized milk, milk candy, and even sometimes milk jam! It’s a popular treat that is often served in Latin America. The name “dulce de leche” actually translates to “sweet milk” in Spanish.
It has a soft texture with a rich and sweet caramel flavor and it can be used in many different ways. It’s popular as a topping for other desserts like ice cream, and is often used in cakes or cookies.
It’s even good just spread on some toast! You really can use this sweet treat in all kinds of different ways. I’ve listed more serving suggestions below!
Crockpot Dulce De Leche
Ingredients
- 28 ounces sweetened condensed milk 2 cans
- 3 1/2 pint canning jars
- Water
Instructions
- Empty the two cans of condensed milk into the canning jars and securely tighten the lids.
- Place in an empty slow cooker and cover with water. The water should rise at least 1 inch above the jars.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and turn to low heat for 10 hours or until it's reached the color you prefer. The longer you cook it, the darker it will get, so cook it to your preference.
- Remove from the water and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Store in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Ingredient Notes:
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Sweetened Condensed Milk – This is a canned product that is made by evaporating most of the liquid from cow’s milk and adding quite a bit of sugar. This creates a thick, creamy, rich milk that is often used in baking or drinks.
What We Love About This DULCE DE LECHE Recipe:
- Simplicity: I don’t know if I made this clear or not, but seriously… just one ingredient! It does take a bit of time to caramelize in the crockpot, but it’s all hands off.
- Versatility: You can use this homemade dulce de leche recipe to sweeten up so many other desserts and recipes! See below for some serving suggestions.
- Gift-Giving: A jar of this sweetened condensed milk caramel makes a perfect gift this holiday season. Print out the recipe card to share with whomever you gift this to, because they’re sure to want more.
What You’ll Need:
Mason Jars – You’ll need 3 half pint canning jars for preparing and storing the dulce de leche.
Crockpot Recommendation!
In the market for a new slow cooker? We love this 7 quart Crockpot. It’s simple to use, cooks evenly, and is very budget friendly. Plus, it has a 4 1/2 star rating with over 5,000 reviews on Amazon!
How To Make Dulce De Leche:
Prepare: To get started you’ll just empty the two cans of condensed milk into the three canning jars and then put on the lids. Make sure they are securely in place so no water can leak in while it heats up in the crockpot.
Water: Place the jars into your slow cooker and then cover them completely with water. The water should rise at least an inch above the jars. If the water isn’t covering the jars it will not heat evenly.
Slow Cook: It’s going to take awhile but it’ll be worth it! Let the dulce de leche slow cook in the crockpot on low heat for 10 hours. You can cook it for longer if you like, and it’ll get darker in color the longer that you do.
Store: Once you’ve finished preparing it you can store the jarred dulce de leche in your refrigerator for about 2 to 3 weeks.
Dulce de Leche Uses:
You can use this recipe as a topping, a filling, mixed into drinks, desserts, and all kinds of good stuff. Check out some popular options below:
- Drizzle it over ice cream
- Melt it into hot drinks, such as our Nutella Hot Chocolate
- Spoon it over our Apple Crumble
- Drizzle it over our famous Buttermilk Pancake Recipe
- Use it to top those Homemade Waffles
- Swirl it into our Homemade Brownies before baking
- Spread it over a Cheesecake
- Swirl it over your Baked Apple Oatmeal
- Use as a dip for sliced apples
FAQ’s:
You can keep the jars of dulce de leche stored in the refrigerator for about 2-3 weeks! It’ll last awhile which gives you plenty of time to use it in lots of other recipes.
This recipe can be made on the crockpot, but you’ll want to closely monitor it to be sure that the water level stays above the jars of milk. Boil for around 3 hours or until it’s as dark and caramelized as you’d like.
Our recipe requires the use of sweetened condensed milk. Evaporated milk will not work.
Dulce de Leche vs. Caramel:
While these two treats might look quite similar and taste quite a bit alike, they’re actually two different things!
Dulce de Leche is made of milk and sugar while caramel is made of water and sugar.
The two can be used very similarly, though dulce de leche is a bit richer and heavier than most caramel sauces.
Lumpy Dulce de Leche:
If your dulce de leche appears lumpy upon opening the can, don’t worry! Just grab a whisk and start whisking. It’ll smooth out and come together just fine.
MORE CROCKPOT RECIPES!
- Crockpot Apple Butter
- Crockpot Ribs
- Crockpot Lasagna
- Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
- Crock Pot Pork Chops
This recipe was originally shared in February 2012. It was updated with new photos and text November 2023. Original photo below:
Nicole says
I have fat free sweetened condensed milk, do you think it will affect it at all? Has anyone used FF instead of the full fat? Results? Going to try this tonight and am super excited to spoon it over some homemade banana ice cream!!
Amy says
@Nicole,
As an experiment, I tried using 1 can of regular & 1 can of fat free. Hands down the regular won… the fat free was not even edible. Blech!
PS. I also tried one version mixing the two 1/2 & 1/2. The verdict? A: Too much of a hassle, and B: nowhere near as wonderful as using the regular.
Kruti says
I can’t wait to try this! Do you think this method would work with steel cut oats? Place oatmeal in mason jars to have ready for an on the go morning?
Sara says
life changing is right! pinning this now to try later 🙂
shelly (cookies and cups) says
I have always been so scared of blowing up my kitchen! But if you say it works, then I believe you. But if I do blow up my kitchen can i come stay with you? Just me, a husband 3 kids and 2 dogs. nbd.
elizabeth says
Oh my goodness, first time I have done this ‘question thingy’ and you answered my question ASAP. Thanx so much for your quick reply. I continue to be amazed over all that can be done with computer. love, e.
Lois says
Tried it last night and accidentally put my crockpot on high. Did not have the yummy caramel I was hoping for…ended up being very congealed and burnt tasting. Will be trying again tomorrow but on low this time! Thanks for showing this. I’ve been looking for Dulce De Leche everywhere and haven’t been able to find it. It’s nice to know I can make my own.
Karly says
@Lois,
Oh, darn it! Hope it works out tonight! You might even try it during the day so you can keep an eye on it. Some crockpots run hotter than others!
what katie's baking says
YUM! i’ve read about this, but somehow you doing it makes it look more real! lol
Jessica @ How Sweet says
I’ve wanted to do this forever. You totally sold me!
Joanne says
Those would be gone before anyone even realized what had happened. Until they found me in a sugar coma somewhere. Love.
elizabeth says
OK, so dummy me……jes wot do you put this on?
Karly says
@elizabeth,
You just use it in place of caramel sauce. It’d be great in brownies, cake filling, fruit dip, or just eat it with a spoon! It’s delish!
mrsblocko says
You don’t need to take the condensed milk out of the can if you don’t want to. I’ve done it both ways before. If you leave the condensed milk turned dulce de leche in the can it will have a longer shelf life, and you don’t need to keep in in the fridge. Of course, then it doesn’t eliminate the “leaching” issue.
What I usually do is put some condensed milk in a canning jar so I can see when the dulce de leche is to the desired color, and fill the remaining space in the crockpot with unopened cans of condensed milk. Then I’ve got a nice stash of DDL on hand at all times. You never know when you might have a DDL emergency!!!
PS I can’t wait for that recipe!!!!
Blog is the New Black says
I’m amazed!
Cookbook Queen says
Ah Mah Gah is this forreal? Like…you can make this while your sleeping? Like a magical caramel fairy? TOO COOL.
Karly says
@Cookbook Queen,
Yes. Like a magical caramel fairy.
Gawd, I love you. You always make me giggle.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Ive seen recipes/preparation methods for literally just putting a can of sweetened cond milk into boiling water for about 3 hours and boiling it. I even emailed the woman and said are you sure?! And she said yes, it’s fine, it won’t explode or anything! I like your method better…seems a bit safer AND that you can SEE what’s going on inside the glass jars whereas the tin-can-in-water is a big mystery til you open it with a can opener.
Karly says
@Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga,
Lots of people do boil the cans with luck. You run into problems when you forget to keep an eye on the water level and it gets too low. Then…BAM. Dulce de Leche on your ceiling. Also, who knows what chemicals from the can are leeching into the milk. Blech.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
@Karly,
Agreed on all fronts, especially the leeching!
And this seems so much safer, the gentle cooking of a slow cooker vs. the vigorous boiling of a kettle on the stove…for a few hours.
I plan to try this!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
Oh my gosh, what have you just done to me!?! I do, in fact, have sweetened condensed milk in my panty and a long list of recipes calling for dulche de leche (in fact, I just made one yesterday, though I’m certain this homemade version is the way to go). I will be making this ASAP. My tastebuds thank you, but my jeans do not. =)