Dulce de Leche is Spanish for candy made of milk or caramel. Making Dulce de Leche is very easy and fun to make. Dip apples, fruits, cookies or anything you like into this wonderful caramel sauce.
Makes 3 (4oz) Jars | Ready in 1 Hour+ | Dessert | 6 Qt Instant Pot
I adore caramel apples, so for me dipping apples into Dulce de Leche is over the top delicious! But Dulce de Leche is also good on Ice Cream, Pies, cookies and so much more.
This sweetened milk turns into smooth beautiful caramel under pressure and is a perfect treat to share.
My husband for a time lived in Chile years ago where he was introduced to Dulce de Leche and he quickly fell in love with the rich caramel sauce made from sweetened milk.
Through the years I’ve always been looking for a recipe that was easy to make and delicious. I found it! This recipe couldn’t be easier.
What is Dulce de Leche?
Dulce de Leche is a Spanish for “candy made of milk” or essentially a rich caramel sauce. And let me tell you.
If you haven’t tried it, it’s wonderful on so many things from Ice Cream, to cookies, cakes, and fruit. The list is endless.
When making Dulce de Leche, keep in mind there are a couple of ways to make this amazing caramel sauce.
You can use mason jars that are approved for pressure cooking or you can make this right in the can. Just don’t forget to remove the label first!
Timing is important. Everyone likes their caramel a little thicker, richer and darker than another so you will want to play with this recipe a little bit to find your sweet spot.
Also, when you first open the lid on the can or the jar, the caramel may look a little cuddled. Don’t worry. This is normal. Just give it a quick stir and it will smooth out nicely.
Christmas Neighbor Gifts
Looking for a quick and easy Neighbor Gift, Teacher Gift, or something to take to a party? This recipe is it!
Take a look at how cute this Dulce de Leche is with an apple. It’s Perfect for your holiday gift giving needs.
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Quick Tips
Dulce de Leche is a rich caramel. Depending on how long you process will make a darker and richer flavor.
It’s a recipe to test and decide what you like best. We like a 35 minute processing time for a mid level darkness and a rich flavor.
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Dulce de Leche
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz can of Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Enough water to fill to ½ inch of top of 4oz mason jars.
Instructions
- In clean and sterilized Pressure Cooker Approved mason jars, fill to lip before rings. (½ inch from top)
- Place clean lids and on jars and screw finger tight, not too tight.
- Place 3 4oz mason jars on trivet in Instant Pot and fill pot with water to just below rings of mason jars.
- Set to Manual for 35 minutes and allow to fully natural release.
- Remove jars from Pressure Cooker and allow to sit on counter until cool.
- Caramel should be kept in refrigerator to keep.
- Serve with apples, fruit, cookies or anything else you wish to dip into creamy caramel.
- In Can Method:
- Take paper label off sweetened condensed milk can.
- Place can on trivet into Pressure Cooker and fill pot with water. Allow ½ inch of can to be above waterline.
- Set to Manual for 35-45 minutes. The longer you process the darker and richer the flavor.
- Allow a full natural release.
- Remove can from Instant Pot and allow to sit on counter for 30-45 minutes.
- Open Can and remove lid.
- Pour Caramel into bowl or jar.
- You will need to stir caramel. Consistency can look somewhat curdled. Stirring after processing brings the caramel back to a smooth consistency.
- Store caramel in Refrigerator to keep.
Kay Weckerly
I have followed your directions, and it comes out much thicker than it looks in your video. Am I to assume that in order to get it more runny (for dipping or drizzling) that it needs to be warmed up in the microwave? I ate some this morning with apples after heating it some, and it tastes great, but I would have to heat it quite a bit in order for it to be runny. This last batch was four half-pint jars cooked for 35 minutes, and a full NPR. Opened the jars after completely cooled, and it's too thick to "drizzle"!
Devour Dinner
Hi Kay,
Dulce de Leche is a thick caramel. In the video, the caramel is piping hot out of the pressure cooker and stirred. Dulce de Leche will never be runny as its not intended to be, but a thick rich caramel that is delicious. I also heat mine up to eat with apples or serve with Ice Cream. If you want a thin sauce, add some heavy cream to thin it down a little. That might do the trick you are looking for. And always store in the refrigerator.
Christine Maurice
Do you know if jars can be sterilized in IP or alternative method? I do not have a dishwasher.
Devour Dinner
Hi Christine, Canning Jars can be sterilized a number of ways. You can use a large stock pot and place clean jars into the stock pot, fill with water to above the jars and boil for 10 minutes. Allow to cool and remove jars (they will be hot). There are also other resources on line for other methods as well!
Beverly
I can't wait to try this. Do you sterilize your mason jars in the instant pot before using them? If so, how do you do that?
Devour Dinner
Hi Beverly. Yes I do sterilize my mason jars. I wash them and throw them through the Dishwasher and dry cycle. I also wash the rings and lids. 🙂