• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

RecipeTin Eats

Fast Prep, Big Flavours

  • My RecipeTin
  • Recipes
  • Recipes By Category
    • Mains
      • Chicken
        • Chicken mince
      • Beef Recipes
        • Ground Beef (Mince)
      • Pork
      • Lamb
      • Turkey
      • Shrimp / Prawns
      • Salmon
      • Fish
      • Salad Meals
    • Soups
    • One Pot
    • Slow Cooker
    • Sides
      • All
      • Vegetables
      • Show Off Salads
      • Rice
      • Potato
    • Pasta
      • All
      • Pasta bakes
      • Pasta salads
    • Sweet
      • Cake recipes
      • Cupcakes & Muffins
      • Cookies
      • Puddings & Cosy Desserts
      • Bite Size
      • Pies
      • Slices & Bars
      • Frosting & Icing
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
        • All
        • Stir fries
        • Noodles
        • Soups
        • Chinese
        • Japanese
        • Thai
        • Vietnamese
      • French
      • Greek
      • Indian
      • Italian
      • Mediterranean
      • Mexican
      • Middle Eastern
      • South American
    • Dietary
      • Gluten Free
      • Low Calorie
      • Vegetarian
    • Other Categories
      • BBQ
      • Breakfast
      • Burgers
      • Cocktails
      • Party Foods
      • Rice Recipes
      • Roasts
      • Sandwiches & Sliders
  • ✨Party✨
  • Collections
  • About
    • Me
    • Free Recipe Books
    • Contact
    • eBooks
      • The Food Photography Book
      • Chicken Wings Cookbook
    • Food Bloggers Central
    • Nitty Gritty
      • Policy: Use of Recipes & Images
      • Privacy & Disclosure
Home Thanksgiving All Thanksgiving Recipes

Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel (Slow Cooker)

By:Nagi
Published:7 Oct '14Updated:13 Nov '20
114 Comments
Recipe v

This is a 1 ingredient, 15 second recipe for a Caramel made from sweetened condensed milk in the slow cooker!

This is how to make sweetened condensed milk caramel: Place sealed cans of sweetened condensed milk in slow cooker, fill slow cooker with water, slow cook on low for 8 hours. Output: Perfectly smooth, no stir, thick, deep flavoured caramel sauce. It’s incredible!

Oozing Slow Cooker Caramel (Dulce de Leche)

Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel

“This keeps for a month in the fridge. But it won’t last that long.”

Dulce De Leche. Smooth, rich and thick with a deep caramel flavor, this South American export is the king of all caramels. The literal translation of “dulce de leche” is “candy of milk”. And that’s exactly what this is – milk and sugar that’s been slow cooked.

Made from scratch using milk and sugar, it requires a lot of attention for the first hour to make sure the caramel at the bottom doesn’t burn, then a further 2 hours of cooking (and checking….and cooking….and checking…). So if you’re more like me, this effortless version made with condensed milk in a slow cooker will appeal to you. This is how this goes down:

  1. Place sealed cans of condensed milk in slow cooker. You don’t even need to take the labels off. (3 seconds)
  2. Fill slow cooker with hot tap water (10 seconds)
  3. Turn slow cooker on for 8 hours on low (2 seconds)


Cans of Slow Cooker Caramel (Dulce de Leche)“Use no-brand condensed milk if you want to save on cost. I promise you no one will know the difference.”

When you open those cans up, you are going to be amazed at the deep golden colour and the smell of the rich caramel is going to make your mouth water. Dig deep and be strong – do not get stuck in with a spoon because you won’t be able to stop!!

This caramel is quite thick, a spreadable consistency (shown in the top picture) and perfectly smooth. If you want to make it a pourable consistency, you can whisk in a touch of milk or even water, or heat it up in the microwave.

I don’t get fancy serving it up, I usually just warm it up slightly and pour it (generously) over vanilla ice cream, or spread it onto a biscuit. Because it’s so rich, I don’t think it needs much else to make it shine. But here are other suggestions for things you can use it for:

  • As a sweetener + milk in coffee
  • Use as spread on muffins or toast
  • Spread on sweet plain biscuits like graham crackers or shortbread
  • Drizzled over cakes and cupcakes. Fancy!
  • Caramel layer in slices
  • Over crepes and pancakes
  • Cheesecake
  • As a dip for churros (it is, after all, South American!)
  • As a gift (if you like anyone enough to give this away to)

It’s pictured here used in this Shortbread Dulce De Leche Cookie Sandwiches. It could also be used to stuff a brownie (see these Salted Caramel Stuffed Brownies).

I hope you give this a try! It really is handy to have in the fridge. I’m especially glad that I made this batch today because I’ve just organised to have a bunch of friends over this weekend! 🙂 – Nagi x

Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel (Dulce de Leche)

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 1 min
Cook: 8 hrs
Total: 8 hrs 1 min
Dessert, Sauce
South American
4.92 from 12 votes
Servings3 cups
Tap or hover to scale
Print
Dulce De Leche is the king of all caramels. And it's effortless if you make it in a slow cooker with sweetened condensed milk! I have also provided directions for making this on the stove top as well.

Ingredients

  • 2 cans sweetened condensed milk (395g / 14 oz each) (see notes)

Instructions

  • Place cans in slow cooker on their side. Don’t worry about removing the label.
  • Cover cans with hot tap water until the water is about 5 cm / 2” above the cans.
  • Set slow cooker for 8 hours on low.
  • If you want your caramel to be a really dark golden colour, slow cook for a further 2 hours.
  • Remove cans from slow cooker using tongs. DO NOT OPEN CANS WHILE HOT. The contents might burst out – dangerous!
  • Submerge cans in cold water to cool before opening. It only takes 10 minutes or so.
  • Open cans.
  • If not using right away, transfer into jars or air tight containers, do not leave it in the can.

To make on stove top

  • Place cans in a large pot and cover with water so that it is 5 cm / 2 inches above the cans.
  • Place on a small burner and bring JUST to boil - don't walk away, you don't want to leave the cans boiling in water.
  • Then turn down the heat to medium low (or low if you stove is powerful), put the lid on and let it simmer for 2 hours to get the consistency and colour as per the photos you see, otherwise for 3 hours if you want to darker and thicker.
  • Remove from the pot. Allow to cool before opening (otherwise the Dulce De Leche might burst out when you open it). You can speed up the process by submerging the cans in cold water.

Recipe Notes:

1. You must use sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk. It won’t work with evaporated milk.
2. If your slow cooker leaks a lot of water, you should increase the water quantity. If the water dries out during cooking, the cans might burst open.
3. The Dulce De Leche will keep in the fridge for up to 1 month.
4. When the Dulce De Leche is warmed, it becomes pourable like a thick caramel. At room temperature or fridge cold, it is thicker, like a spread.
5. You can use a touch of water or milk to thin it out slightly if you want to drizzle it over something.
6. Suggestions for use:
• As a sweetener + milk in coffee
• Use as spread on muffins, toast or graham crackers
• Drizzled over cakes and cupcakes. Fancy!
• Caramel layer in slices
• Over crepes and pancakes
• Cheesecake
• As a dip for churros (it is, after all, South American!)
• As a gift – jar it and add labels and/or tags
7. Nutrition facts per serving assuming 3 cups (2 cans of sweetened condensed milk) serves 12 people.
Dulce De Leche Nutrition

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 67gCalories: 214cal (11%)Carbohydrates: 36.3g (12%)Protein: 5.3g (11%)Fat: 5.8g (9%)Saturated Fat: 3.7g (23%)Cholesterol: 23mg (8%)Sodium: 85mg (4%)Potassium: 247mg (7%)Sugar: 36.3g (40%)Vitamin A: 200IU (4%)Vitamin C: 2.5mg (3%)Calcium: 190mg (19%)Iron: 0.2mg (1%)
Keywords: Dulce de leche, Sweetened condensed milk caramel
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

 

SaveSave

Previous Post
Huevos Rancheros Tortilla Bowls
Next Post
Shortbread Cookie Sandwich With Dulce De Leche

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Cooked this? Rate this recipe!




114 Comments

  1. Jerri Chessecake says

    December 25, 2020 at 6:46 am

    My family makes this except we made it on the stove on low for about an hour and forty mins.we generally spread it on cakes and bread only once have we had it on meringue,i’m going to try some of your suggestions thanks!

    Reply
  2. Leah says

    December 15, 2020 at 11:08 am

    Yummy and easy. Aside from all the other ways listed, this is good eaten with Ritz crackers. A bit of salty from the crackers gives a contrast.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      December 15, 2020 at 12:01 pm

      Glad you liked it and nice idea, Leah!! – Nx

      Reply
  3. Carolyn Rowell says

    December 13, 2020 at 5:21 am

    Have made this for years. Eagle brand candy. Open can and dip out a teaspoon of cooked eaglebrand. Form into a ball and roll in coconut or chopped nuts. Wonderful and so easy!

    Reply
  4. Scott says

    November 10, 2020 at 4:44 pm

    I made this for years and then just stopped. I have no idea why.

    I decided to make an apple crisp for tonight. Luckily, I had some sweetened condensed milk in the pantry. Stuck it in the crockpot early in the AM and pulled it out this afternoon.

    My wife never had it and questioned if it would work. Of course it did. We drizzled it over the apple crisp with vanilla ice cream. The vanilla, caramel, apples, cinnamon combination is to die for!

    I am now under strict orders from my family to create new & fun recipes. My first attempt will be to blend it into an ice cream / frozen concoction. Then make a float using the dulce de leche ice cream & apple beer!

    Reply
    • luis says

      November 25, 2020 at 10:03 am

      here’s a fun recipe to try for the holidays. Think about your regular pumpkin pie, but instead of sweet condensed milk, you sub it for dulce de leche – what a twist on a holiday classic! Enjoy

      Reply
  5. Ali says

    October 30, 2020 at 4:33 am

    Hi, Have you ever used this caramel to make candy apples? If so, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      October 30, 2020 at 5:42 am

      Hi Ali! This is not suitable for that purpose, it doesn’t set hard like candy 🙂 N x

      Reply
  6. Erika Zavala says

    October 24, 2020 at 3:33 pm

    Does this need to be refrigerated after making the caramel sauce? Or will it last in a glass jar and lid on the pantry shelf like canned condensed milk?

    Reply
  7. Cheryl says

    October 20, 2020 at 3:16 am

    I made the Carmel in the crockpot cooking it for 8 hours on low. It was a little on the thin side. Should I increase the cooking time so it comes out thicker? The flavor is wonderful! Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Lisa Williams says

    October 17, 2020 at 11:43 am

    5 stars
    Nagi, “Thank You So Very Much”
    Made this for very 1st time.
    After I let it slow cook (crock pot) for 8.5 hrs on low. I cooled it for 10 mins & I was like idk but low & behold when I barely pulled back on the can tab. This beautiful caramel started oozing out. I was like YESSSSSSSS!!!! 😁.
    It’s delicious. The transformation from condensed milk to this rich carmel is really AMAZING. My mind went to racing thinking about all the possibilities & presentations I can make. Perfect timing for the holidays.
    Thanks again for sharing. Stay safe.

    Reply
  9. Robin J Metallo says

    October 7, 2020 at 5:57 am

    Can you can this carmel???

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      October 7, 2020 at 3:03 pm

      Hi Robin, I’m sure you could! I haven’t tried yet 🙂 N x

      Reply
  10. Leone Howard says

    October 1, 2020 at 11:25 am

    I bought skim milk by mistake, will this still work with this recipe? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      October 1, 2020 at 6:33 pm

      Hi Leone, I haven’t tried with skim sorry – would love to know if it works! N x

      Reply
      • Leone Howard says

        October 2, 2020 at 8:48 am

        It was a success with the skim milk version! Yummy as!

        Reply
  11. Kelly says

    September 25, 2020 at 11:29 am

    I tried this and it did not work. Spent money to buy the sweetened condensed milk, electricity for 8 and a half hours to get a very light color of milk. Spent another hour using gas stove to try and get the right color. Probably cheaper to buy it. Won’t be trying this again!!

    Reply
    • Tyler Brown says

      November 19, 2020 at 8:14 pm

      I’d never bother doing this in the slow cooker. Mum always did this on the stove top and it was done within the hour or so. You just have to check the water stays to the correct level.

      Reply
Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative! Read More

Free Recipe eBooks

Join my free email list to receive THREE free cookbooks!

Meet Dozer

Official taste tester of RecipeTin Eats! Meet Dozer
As Featured On

What's for Dinner?

Close up of beef enchiladas in a baking dish, fresh out of the oven

Beef Enchiladas

Butter Chicken served over basmati rice in a bowl, ready to be served

Butter Chicken

Overhead photo of 2 black bowls with Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Dressing, ready to be eaten

Chinese Chicken Salad

Salisbury Steak recipe in skillet.

Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy

Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken - 7 ingredient magic. The coconut fragrance is heavenly! recipetineats.com

Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken

Fast prep. Big flavours!

Never miss a recipe

Back to Top
  • Related
  • RecipeTin Japan
  • Food Bloggers Center
  • Help
  • Contact Us
  • Image Use
  • Privacy Policy & Terms
Site Credits Developed by Zao © RecipeTin Eats 2021 · All Rights Reserved Back to Top