3 Easy Ways to Make Homemade Dulce de Leche
We all have cravings, but most of us won’t admit to eating a whole can of Homemade Dulce de Leche in our closets, but Alison will! She is crazy for this creamy, caramelized, confection, drizzled or dipped over ice cream or fresh fruit. Try dunking fresh ripe strawberries and give them a whirl before rolling them in roasted, chopped almonds. I like to swirl Dulce de Leche into my brownie batter, along with chopped pecans, before baking them. We featured this lovely sauce on our Mexican Chocolate Cake Sundaes. It makes a perfect filling for cakes and cookies too, so grab a spoon friends, and don’t you dare climb in a closet, you’ll be in sweet company!
“Once in a young lifetime one should be allowed to have as much sweetness as one can possibly want and hold.”
~ Judith Olney
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Homemade Dulce de Leche
The name of this caramel-like confection, which almost every South America country claims as it’s own, loosely translates to “milk candy.” In a traditional process, sugar and milk are cooked over low heat for hours, until the mixture becomes thick and golden. We’ve found it’s super easy to speed up the process by using only 1 ingredient, a can of sweetened condensed milk.
You’ll need at least 1 can of sweetened condensed milk. I make 2 or 3 and try to keep a few in my pantry. Just be sure to label and date them. Here’s a tip, I often find, sweetened condensed milk, (the exact same thing), with a Spanish label, on sale, in the Mexican food isle. Remove the labels and check for dents and dings, avoid any dented cans. I also recommend that you use a regular can, not the pop-top pull type. A friend used one, the pop-top burst open in her crockpot and it actually cracked her pot.
Today we are sharing 3 ways you can make Homemade Dulce de Leche. Be watching for new ways to use and enjoy it in future posts from our Cheery Kitchens.
We're Alison and Renée, and we're so glad you've joined us! Our kitchens are our happy place, where we're whipping up memories. Get comfy and check things out. We hope you find inspiring dishes and ways to better your life. Feeling optimistic, trying new things and sharing with those we love brings joy in all we do. It's time to cook, create and celebrate. CHEERS! 
I am so going to try to make it. Love your blog, it’s making me hungry
You need to make it! It is so good and very easy!
Mouth salivating dish, I guess, but, I must keep my instincts in control because I have to stay away from sugar.But, Renee, I have shared this recipe with my wife.Thanks
Like you Swayam, I have to go super easy when it comes to sugar. I’ve found that the first bite is always the best, and sometimes will allow myself a second if it’s over the moon good!
Renée recently posted…3 Easy Ways to Make Homemade Dulce de Leche
Yummy…definitely trying….iam sure my family will love it…
I know they will, Subha! 🙂
Ohhhh my goodness! Where has Dulce de Leche been all my life?! I had no idea! I’m soooo excited to try this! I’m obsessed with my crockpot, so that will be the way I’ll try it. Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
You will not regret it! It is definitely a guilty pleasure and so easy to do in your crock pot!
I’m obsessed with condensed milk. I used to snack with it when I was growing up. It’s awesome with coffee too. Thanks for sharing these recipes.
Julie, I am the same way! I love condensed milk and this definitely amps it up!
This looks so good! My boyfriend is Italian so I’m sure he’d be over the moon if I made this! Great recipe xo
Thanks, Kelly! I hope when you make it that you don’t eat the entire can yourself! 🙂
It looks so good. Can’t wait to try this. Thanks for sharing!
I like the set up of the page with the “previous and next”. Its easy to follow steps, but it was hard for me to find the comment section since I had to go back all the way. Anyways, great article, good to have and share with us! I might try this out!
So intriguing!! I have such a long list of things to try out from you lovely gals now! Thank you & keep creating!
Thanks Riley, we love having you come by. Let us know how it goes in YOUR kitchen please!
Renée recently posted…3 Easy Ways to Make Homemade Dulce de Leche
Good Lord … the picture is relishing … I am famished!
Best compliment all day!!
We don’t have Nestle La Lechera here in PHL. What I do is I cook the condensed milk until it get light brown.
Thank you for the recipe. I had a hard time, finding the comment box, but this post deserved a thank you so I did the work 🙂
Thanks you Prerna, we always love having you here and appreciate your comments!
I love preparing desserts. Thank you for sharing the recipe. I may have to look for local ingredients though here in the Philippines but will definitely try re-creating this.
Thanks so much, yes I hope you can find sweetened condensed milk. Let us know of your success please!
Oooh, you have me drooling on my laptop. I am definitely going to try this out next time I go to the grocery store. For now, it’s raiding the kitchen cabinet for something chocolatey.
Sounds like a plan Wendy, thanks for stopping by!
I don’t think I’ve ever tried dulce de leche. It looks delicious though! Is it similar to the caramel dip they sell at the store? It looks similar to it so I’m curious if they taste similar at all. I need to make this for an family event! Great post!
Danielle Greco | AccordingtoD.com
Oh, you gotta try it Danielle, it’s so much better than caramel from the store! Please let us know what you think.
Oh sweeeeeets! Honestly, i am not quite familiar with dulce de leche, but after reading this post, i think it is similar to one of the Philippine’s well-known dessert, Yema. I find this post awesome because the methods being shared here has never crossed my mind. All i know is the traditional way so knowing there are 3 other ways to make dulce de leche is very helpful for a sweet tooth like me. ?
Greatest Elle, hope you find it to be as easy and good as we say it is!
Hmmmmmmm , mouth watering post 🙂 I love your website , will absolutely be back soon .
Well we love you Klaudia! THANKS….
Beautiful photos. Of course it is the food that is important, somehow the photos make them look so good!
Thanks Robert!
Looks delicious! I will try this at home 🙂
Definitely try it! You won’t regret it!
This looks amazing! Awesome recipe!
Thanks Nicole!
Looks and sounds delicious! I’ve never heard of this before.
You need to try it! It’s amazing!
I can’t believe I’ve never tried to make this, it looks so good. Now that I read this I’m going to have to give it a whirlpool Thanks for posting!
It is so easy and so worth it! No excuses now! Go make it! 🙂
I have never had this before but I am a HUGE fan of anything even remotely caramel like. Who knew happiness could be so simple! I have to try this!!
Easy and sooooo good Roxy, you’ll love it!
I never have even thought of how to make it! Looks easier than I thought. I’d want to dip churros in them! Yummmm
We love your idea Stephanie, delicious, thanks!
Omgosh this is so smart!! I would have never thought to make it this way (and what a great idea for extending the shelf life of it). Pinning so I can try this!
Awesome Marie, thanks so much!
So easy! I always just buy it because I’m afraid of it exploding!
Try it Amy, you’ll never go back!
My husband loves dulce de leche! Would love to try this!