Dulce de leche is a sweet spread originating from Latin America. Made by simmering milk and sugar together until caramelized, it was generally cooked for hours, low and slow on the stove top.
The process of making dulce de leche is similar to making caramel, in which cream and sugar are caramelized to a dark golden brown, but the flavor of dulce de leche is totally unique! From the very first spoonful, I knew I was hooked for life.
I started out cooking sealed cans of sweetened condensed milk in large pots of boiling water on the stove top (scary), then I switched to my slow cooker (delicious but takes 8 hours).
These days I make Instant Pot dulce de leche! In about an hour (plus cooling time) you get one of the most luscious, divine ingredients on the face of the earth. Try spreading it on these small batch cinnamon rolls when they’re still slightly warm (*drool*).
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💞Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔️ Dulce de leche is one of the best tasting things on the planet.
✔️ It’s so easy (like zero effort!) and cooks in less than an hour.
✔️ Did I mention it’s one of the best tasting things on the planet?
📋Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- Sweetened Condensed Milk—not the same thing as evaporated milk so make sure to check the label before you buy. Use any brand you want.
Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of this post, or scroll to the bottom of the post, to see the PRINTABLE recipe card with ingredient measurements and complete instructions.
👩🍳Step-By-Step Instructions
STEP 1—remove the paper label from the can of sweetened condensed milk.
STEP 2—place a metal trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot. Set the sealed can on the trivet standing right side up. Fill the Instant Pot with water to the ⅔ max line, about 15 to 16 cups (3 ¾ to 4L). You absolutely must make sure the can is submerged in water.
STEP 3—press the pressure cook button and set it to high pressure/normal for 30 minutes.
STEP 4—when the timer goes off, use the handle of a wooden spoon to gently nudge the floating steam valve to the pressure release venting position.
STEP 5—once all of the steam is released, very carefully use a pair of tongs to grasp the hot can and transfer it from the hot water to a wire rack. Cool the can completely before opening.
🗣Expert Tips
1. Only cook one can at a time to reduce the risk of explosion.
2. Use a can opener to open the cooled can rather than using the key. It’s easier to get the dulce de leche out this way.
3. You can cool the can inside the Instant Pot but the caramel will be thicker and much darker color.
📝Recipe Notes
- You can also make homemade dulce de leche in a slow cooker. Follow the same instructions but cook the submerged can on low for 8 hours.
🙋♀️Recipe FAQ
A sweet spread from Latin America made by simmering milk and sugar together until caramelized. Sometimes called condensed milk caramel.
Use homemade dulce de leche anywhere you use caramel sauce. It’s even thick enough to be piped between cookies to make cookie sandwiches!
Not including the 30 or so minutes it takes for the cooker to come to pressure, a 300ml can of sweetened condensed milk will caramelize inside an Instant Pot in 30 minutes.
💃Use Instant Pot Dulce De Leche With These Recipes
Did you make this Instant Pot dulce de leche? Please rate the recipe and tell me how it went in the comments below. Also, stay in touch with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to see more delicious food and recipes!
🖨Recipe
Instant Pot Dulce De Leche
Equipment
- Instant Pot with metal trivet
Ingredients
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk, 300ml
- 16 cups water
Instructions
- Place a metal trivet in the bottom of an Instant Pot. Remove the paper label from the can of sweetened condensed milk. Place the can, right side up, in the middle of the trivet.
- Cover the can with water to the ⅔ max line, about 15 to 16 cups. The can must be submerged in water. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the steam valve to sealing. Press the pressure cook button and set it to high pressure/normal for 30 minutes.
- When the timer goes off, use the end of a wooden spoon to nudge the steam valve to the venting setting. Once the steam is fully released, open the Instant Pot and carefully use a pair of tongs to transfer the hot can to a wire rack. Cool completely before opening. Use dulce de leche any place you would use caramel sauce.
Notes
- You can also make homemade dulce de leche in a slow cooker. Follow the same instructions but cook the submerged can on low for 8 hours.
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