Easy Homemade Dulce de Leche with Condensed Milk (6 Different Ways)

Dulce de Leche is a delicious addition to many bakes. But it is not everywhere good to get. But did you know that it is very easy to make? A basic recipe that you really should have in your repertoire (you won't regret it!). 

You can make the dulce de leche in several ways. The (steam) oven, slow cooker, pressure cooker, or simply on the stove are a few methods that all work. And in this blog, I will tell you how you can make this delicious caramel cream yourself. 

And if you can't get enough of that delicious caramel taste? Then take a look at these delicious recipes for banana Napoleon with caramel, coconut caramel cookies, banana cupcakes with caramel. 

Ingredients for a super easy caramel paste recipe 

A full list of ingredients can be found at the end of this blog. 

Condensed Milk - Indeed you only need one ingredient: condensed milk. This thick, sugared milk, from which part of the moisture has been removed, can be found in cans or at the supermarket (usually near the coffee creamer). 

If you want lactose-free or vegan, use condensed coconut milk. Note: there also is condensed milk without sugar. You can't use this one, because that won't turn into dulce de leche. 

Method 1 - How do you make creamy Dulce de Leche on the stove? 

A recipe that you can easily print can be found at the bottom of the blog. 

1. Remove the label from the can. Place in a pan with water and make sure it is covered. Bring the water to a boil. Then lower the heat and let it simmer for 3 hours. Check the water level every 30 minutes. The can must remain submerged (at least 2 inches). Add extra water if the level gets too low.
2. Remove the can from the pan and let it cool to room temperature. The Dulce de Leche is ready.

Other ways to prepare Dulce de Leche

The recipes are described per can of condensed milk. But if you are really looking forward to this sweet delicacy, you simply make more cans at the same time. This can easily be done in the slow cooker, in the pan, steam oven, and pressure cooker. With the oven and microwave, it is better to do this per portion.

Method 2 - In the oven (top and bottom heat or convection)

1. Preheat the oven to 390°F / 220°C. Heat water until it boils (in the kettle is easy).
2. Open the can and pour it into a baking dish. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
3. Place the baking dish in a second larger baking dish. Place both in the oven. Fill the large empty baking dish halfway with boiling water. Close the oven.
4. Check every 20 minutes whether the water level is still high enough. Otherwise, top up the water half way.
5. After 75 minutes, the dulce de leche is ready.

Method 3 - Simply and easy - In the steam oven

1. Preheat the steam oven to 210 °F / 100 °C.
2. Place the can in a baking pan with holes in the bottom.
3. Leave in the oven for 3 to 4 hours and then turn it off.
4. Let cool to room temperature.

Method 4. - Very easy - In the slow cooker

1. Remove the paper wrapper from the can.
2. Place the can in the bowl of the slow cooker.
3. Top up with water until the can is completely submerged by 2 inches of water.
4. Close with a lid.
5. Set the slow cooker on the lowest setting for 8 hours.
6. Then remove the can from the slow cooker. Let cool to room temperature.

Method 5.- Nice and fast - In the microwave

1. Pour the condensed milk into a large microwave-safe bowl.
2. Heat the microwave for two minutes at 50% of it’s power
3. Remove from microwave and stir well (it may be hot!)
4. Microwave again on the same setting for two minutes.
5. Remove from the appliance and stir well.
6. Now put the microwave on 30% power for 20 minutes until the milk is thick and has a caramel color. Stir well every two minutes!

6. - Nice and fast - Pressure cooker

1. Remove the paper wrapper from the can.
2. Then put it in the pressure cooker and make sure it is submerged in water (at least 2 inches).
3. Pressurize the pan and cook for 40 minutes.
4. Let the pan cool and then remove the can from the pan.