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Thick, creamy Dulce de Leche in a glass jar with a spoon and golden ribbon.

Homemade Dulce de Leche

Homemade Dulce de Leche makes a thoughtful gift for the holidays. Smooth caramel from one ingredient brings warmth and sweetness to festive desserts.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Latin American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Cooling Time 1 hour
Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • canned sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

  1. Remove all the paper labels from the tins of condensed milk and place them in a large deep pot filled with water. Make sure the water level is always at least 5 cm – 2 inches above the top of the tins.
  2. Place the pot on the stove and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer gently for 3 to 4 hours, adding boiling water as needed to keep the tins fully submerged. The longer you cook them, the thicker the Dulce de Leche will be.
  3. Carefully remove the tins using tongs or pincers (they’ll be very hot, so handle with care) and allow them to cool for about 1 hour before opening.
  4. Open the tins and enjoy your creamy Dulce de Leche!