If you have a sweet tooth and love rich, creamy treats, then you are going to adore this Homemade Dulce de Leche from Cooked Condensed Milk in a Slow Cooker Recipe. It’s a foolproof way to transform ordinary sweetened condensed milk into that luscious caramel-like spread that’s perfect for everything from drizzling over ice cream to stirring into coffee. Trust me, once you try making dulce de leche this way, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought jars again. It’s simple, satisfying, and full of love in every silky spoonful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Believe it or not, this recipe requires just two simple ingredients, but each plays a crucial role in creating that signature golden color and irresistibly smooth texture of your homemade dulce de leche.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: The star ingredient that magically caramelizes during cooking, giving dulce de leche its deep, sweet, and creamy flavor.
- Water: Essential for creating a gentle cooking bath in the slow cooker to ensure even heat distribution without burning the milk.
How to Make Homemade Dulce de Leche from Cooked Condensed Milk in a Slow Cooker Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Condensed Milk Jars
Start by grabbing two clean jam jars—make sure they’re spotless and dry. Pour one can of sweetened condensed milk into each jar, then carefully seal the tops as tightly as you can by hand. This step makes sure your dulce de leche cooks evenly inside the jar without water getting in.
Step 2: Set Up the Slow Cooker Bath
Fill your slow cooker with hot tap water until it fully covers the jars. Hot water helps speed up the caramelization process, so don’t skip this part. Place the sealed jars upright in the water bath and set your slow cooker on high.
Step 3: Slow Cook for Perfection
Let the jars cook for about 4 hours. This slow, gentle cooking softens the condensed milk into the perfect rich amber-colored dulce de leche. If you prefer a longer, more hands-off approach, you can switch the slow cooker to low and leave it for 6 to 8 hours, even overnight. Either way, patience here is rewarded with silky, luscious results.
Step 4: Cool and Enjoy
Once the time is up, carefully remove the jars from the water—remember, they will be hot! Drain the water and set the jars on your counter to cool. When cooled, you’ll see the transformation complete: a thick, velvety dulce de leche just waiting for you to dive in. No artificial ingredients, just pure homemade goodness.
How to Serve Homemade Dulce de Leche from Cooked Condensed Milk in a Slow Cooker Recipe
Garnishes
Dulce de leche is incredibly versatile, and a little creativity can take your serving to the next level. Sprinkle a touch of flaky sea salt or crushed toasted nuts on top to add a delightful contrast that balances the sweetness and adds texture.
Side Dishes
This homemade dulce de leche pairs beautifully with fresh fruit like sliced bananas, strawberries, or apples. You can also drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or creamy vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert experience your family will adore.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not use your homemade dulce de leche as a decadent spread for toast or swirl it into yogurt for an indulgent snack? You can also fold it into cake batters or use it as a luscious filling for crepes and pastries—the possibilities are endless and delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After enjoying your dulce de leche, keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for about two weeks without losing its creamy texture or rich flavor, making it perfect for quick sweet fixes whenever a craving hits.
Freezing
If you want to keep your dulce de leche longer, freezing is an option. Transfer it to a freezer-safe container and it’ll last for up to three months. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge and give it a good stir to restore its smooth consistency.
Reheating
To bring your dulce de leche back to that perfect spreading or drizzling consistency, warm it gently in a microwave or over low heat on the stove. Stir frequently to prevent scorching, and you’ll have that silky sweetness ready in no time.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of sweetened condensed milk?
Regular milk won’t caramelize the same way as sweetened condensed milk because it lacks the thick sweetness and sugar concentration. For true dulce de leche texture and flavor, stick with sweetened condensed milk.
Is it safe to cook condensed milk in jars in a slow cooker?
Yes, as long as the jars are sealed properly and fully submerged in water, this method is very safe. The water bath gently cooks the milk and prevents burning or scorching, delivering perfect dulce de leche every time.
Can I use just one can instead of two?
Absolutely! You can cook a single can in a smaller jar or container. Just ensure it’s fully submerged in water and adjust cooking times accordingly if your slow cooker heats differently.
Why did my dulce de leche crack or separate?
If your slow cooker water level drops too low during cooking, the jars can overheat and cause separation or cracking. Be sure to check water levels halfway through and add more hot water if needed to keep the jars fully submerged.
How do I know when my dulce de leche is done?
The color will deepen into a golden to caramel brown shade, and the texture will be thick and smooth. If it’s still runny or pale, give it more time. You can always test by stirring a small amount to check the consistency.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited as I am about this Homemade Dulce de Leche from Cooked Condensed Milk in a Slow Cooker Recipe. It’s such a simple, hands-off technique that rewards you with a rich, velvety treat you can customize and use in countless ways. Once you taste that homemade magic, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. So grab those cans, fire up your slow cooker, and get ready to fall in love with dulce de leche all over again!
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Homemade Dulce de Leche from Cooked Condensed Milk in a Slow Cooker Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 small jam jars (approximately 1 cup each)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Description
This recipe demonstrates how to make rich and creamy Dulce de Leche by slow cooking sweetened condensed milk in a slow cooker. The gentle, slow heat caramelizes the milk, transforming it into a luscious caramel spread perfect for desserts or enjoying by the spoonful.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 cans of sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Prepare the jars: Wash two small jam jars thoroughly and pour one can of sweetened condensed milk into each jar. Seal the jars tightly by hand to prevent water from entering during cooking.
- Set up slow cooker: Place the sealed jars into the slow cooker and cover them completely with hot water. The hot water helps speed up the cooking process and ensures even heat distribution.
- Cook the Dulce de Leche: Set the slow cooker to high and cook the jars for 4 hours. Alternatively, you may cook on low for 6 to 8 hours if you prefer to make it overnight.
- Cool and finish: When the cooking time is complete, carefully drain the water from the slow cooker. Remove the jars and let them cool at room temperature before opening. The condensed milk will have transformed into a perfectly caramelized Dulce de Leche with smooth texture and rich color.
- Enjoy: Use your homemade Dulce de Leche as a delicious topping or ingredient, or simply enjoy licking the spoon right from the jar!
Notes
- Ensure the jars are sealed tightly to prevent water from seeping in during cooking.
- Hot water helps speed up the caramelization process; cold water will extend cooking time.
- You can adjust the cooking time depending on the desired thickness and caramelization; longer cooking will produce thicker, darker Dulce de Leche.
- Cooling the jars before opening prevents burns from hot caramel.
- This method avoids added chemicals and preserves the pure flavor of the condensed milk caramel.
