Learn how to make silky homemade Dulce de Leche with a single ingredient and a few easy steps. This rich, caramel-like sauce is perfect for drizzling, spreading, or stirring into desserts and drinks. Below you’ll find straightforward instructions, storage tips, and ideas for using your dulce de leche.
Dulce de leche, which translates roughly to “sweet of milk,” is a thick, caramelized milk spread with roots in Latin America and especially Argentina. It’s traditionally made by slowly heating sweetened milk until sugars caramelize and the mixture thickens to a smooth, golden-brown sauce.
This version uses one common pantry ingredient—sweetened condensed milk—and a simple stovetop method that yields a glossy, spreadable caramel perfect for many uses.
If you like experimenting with sweets, you can fold this into ice cream, use it as a filling for baked goods, or simply spoon it over fresh fruit and desserts for an irresistible finishing touch.
How to Make Dulce de Leche
Prep the can of sweetened condensed milk. Remove the paper label and any adhesive residue. Place the unopened can on its side into a saucepan of boiling water and ensure it’s covered by several inches of water. Keeping the can fully submerged during cooking is essential for safety.
IMPORTANT: Always keep the can covered by at least a couple of inches of water throughout cooking. If the water level drops below the can, pressure can build and cause an explosion.
Cook gently and monitor. After bringing the water to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot, and simmer gently for about 4 hours. Check the pan periodically and add hot water as needed so the can remains fully submerged.
Cool completely before opening. Carefully remove the can with tongs and place it on a heat-resistant surface. Allow it to cool fully to room temperature—this can take at least two hours. Only open the can when it is completely cool. Transfer the dulce de leche to a clean jar and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
Where to Use Caramel Sauce
Dulce de leche is versatile. Here are popular ways to enjoy it:
- Layer or drizzle on tres leches cake
- Use as a filling for cookies, pastries, or alfajores
- Sweeten coffee drinks or lattes
- Spoon over ice cream or frozen desserts
- Top cheesecakes or puddings
- Make soft caramels or candy
- Substitute for store-bought caramel in recipes
Buen provecho,
Homemade Dulce de Leche (1 Ingredient Caramel Sauce)
Description
Make silky, homemade Dulce de Leche using just one ingredient—sweetened condensed milk—and an easy stovetop method. This thick caramel is perfect for desserts, drinks, and baking.
Ingredients
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Prepare the can. Remove the label and any adhesive. Place the unopened can on its side in a large pot and cover with several inches of water.
- Simmer gently. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 4 hours. Check regularly and add hot water to keep the can fully submerged.
- Cool and store. Carefully remove the can with tongs and let it cool completely on a heat-resistant surface (at least two hours). Open only when cool, transfer the dulce de leche to a jar, and refrigerate for up to two weeks.