Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche recipe

This is like magic. A can of sweetened condensed milk becomes dulce de leche. The only way to make it easier would be if you bought it. This slow cooker dulce de leche recipe will give you the best caramel you've ever had.

I have to admit: I'm addicted to dulce the leche 🙂 I eat it almost everyday for breakfast (as a bread spread). And a dessert that includes this delicious caramel always makes me happy! 

That's why I'm always trying new brands. Since I live in southern Brail, I am lucky enough to have easy access to dulce de leche from Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay at the supermarket!

But nowadays I've been making it at home and I can tell you it became a family favorite! To make it you just need a can of sweetened condensed milk, water and a slow cooker.

🤔 What is Dulce de Leche

Dulce de leche would translate as milk candy. It is a staple product from Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, made from milk and sugar being cooked to the point it becomes a caramel.

A silky, smooth deep colored caramel that is the best you will ever have.

The traditional way of making dulce de leche it is to cook equal parts of milk and sugar, over low heat, for a long time, stirring and watching it so the sugar doesn't burn.

🍮 How to use it

You can use dulce de leche in any way you would use caramel - and even more! Let me give you some ideas:

• as a spread for bread, toasts, scones or biscuits
• as filling for crepes
• with a medialuna (Uruguayan/Argentinian croissant)
• instead of chocolate sauce for churros (this is how we have churros here in South America - with dulce de leche, not chocolate)
• drizzled in your coffee (or even a substitute for sweetener + milk at the same time)
• with bananas or apple slices
• over ice cream
• as ice cream (our dulce de leche ice cream is delicious)
• in ice cream (swirled in vanilla or chocolate ice cream)
• in a Banofee Pie
• over brownies (or swirled in brownies)
• as fondue (check here how to make dulce de leche fondue)
• just plain, eaten right out of the can/jar (my favorite)

This recipe will give you dulce de leche that is spreadable. If you want to make it as a topping ar runny, just add a little bit of milk to it or heat it up in the microwave.

But be careful: dulce de leche can get very hot really fast!

🍳 How to make dulce de leche

Making dulce de leche is a time consuming process that can go wrong pretty easily. Believe, me. I've tried to make dulce de leche the traditional way and it was stressful!

But there is a better way of making dulce de leche at home that, while not quick, is completely stress free: slow cooker dulce de leche.

Just remove the label and place an unopened can of sweetened condensed milk in a slow cooker, cover it with water and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

Cooking for 8 hours will give you a lighter and milder flavor dulce de leche, while cooking it for 10 hours will give you a darker, richer flavor (my favorite).

Attention!

After this period, carefully remove the can from the slow cooker and LET THE CAN REACH ROOM TEMPERATURE BEFORE OPENING.

I cannot stress this enough! While hot, the contents inside the can will be under a lot of pressure. Opening the can while hot will cause the dulce de leche to spray and you could get seriously burned.

Please do not be scared to make this recipe. I have to warn you as this is a common mistake people usually make. I've made this recipe many times and never had any issues.

After it is done, it might not be as smooth (see picture below). To solve that I whip it with a wired whisk until it is silky.

🥛 Does any condensed milk work?

You must use sweetened condensed milk in order for this recipe to work. You can use any brand (expensive or cheap) as long as it is sweetened and in a can.

Evaporated milk will NOT become dulce de leche!

And regarding the can, I have used the regular cans that you have to open with a can opener and the easy open cans (as the picture below) without any problems. Just remember: the cans (or cans) have to stay submerged during the whole 8 to 10 hours.

If your slow cooker tends to evaporate a lot of water, consider filling it more.

🧺 How to store it

Store the dulce de leche it in a glass jar with lid in the fridge. It will keep for up to a month - although I doubt it won't end before 🙂

💭 Tips and thoughts

• It will take from 8 to 10 hours on low to make this slow cooker dulce de leche.
• Remove the sweentened condensed milk can label before placing in the slow cooker.
• The can must be completely covered with water.
• When it's done, don't open the can until it's room temperature.
• If you prefer the dulce de leche creamier like the picture bellow, you just have to whip it a little with a wired whisk.
• You can add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the finished dulce de leche for an even better flavor.
• You could also check my recipe for dulce de leche in the oven here.

More recipes you will love: Dulce de Leche Ice Cream Cake or my Dulce de Leche Fondue.