Dulce de leche, when translated into English, means “sweet from milk”. The sweet milk is prepared slowly to caramelize the sugar to create a delicious sticky and thick product used as a sauce, spread or as a basic ingredient in another recipe.
When the Dulce de leche is prepared super thick, it is more like a piece of caramel and can be used as such. With a less thick Dulce de leche, it can be used in or on many food preparations such as:
- ice cream
- cake
- cookies
- pancakes
- toast
- icing
- flan
- crepes
- brownies
- puff pastry
- pie
- rolls
- cheesecake
- fruit
- waffles
- bread
Yes, it is a decadent taste with a wide variety of uses. Supposedly it was discovered by accident, when a woman forgot about the sweetened milk she was heating on the stove and it thickened into what we now call Dulce de leche. A lovely accident indeed!
Pronounce Dulce de leche something like “DOOL-se de LE-che.” If you have a dormant Southern accent like me, it may prove impossible to say Dulce de leche correctly because the overpowering twang seems to always take over when I try too hard.
So let me show you how to make Dulce de leche and I promise not to make you ever hear me actually say it.
Maybe.
Then again…maybe not.
Dulce de Leche
but I think this is the easiest and safest.
The one and only ingredient for
Dulce de leche is a can of Sweetened Condensed Milk.No, I didn’t say it was calorie, fat or carbohydrate free.
If you don’t take the label off, it will become a gooey mess.
Don’t let the water get too high or it will get in the can and that’s not good.
the milk will come out of the holes in the top.
This is not a desirable thing to do!
Well, there is an exception to that statement.
It is fun to boil it through the holes in order to take the photo
and to sneak a taste while it is cooking.
When the timer goes off, add more water to the pot.
Don’t let the water boil away,
so you may have to add more water before 60 minutes.
Set the timer for 60 more minutes.
When the timer goes off, add more water to the pot.
Set the timer for 60 more minutes.
When the timer goes off, add more water to the pot.
Are you getting the distinct feeling that this is similar to watching grass grow?
Yes?
You’re right.
Since the milk is cooking in the can,
you can’t see anything that’s happening!
But the Dulce de leche isn’t done yet.
Add more water.
Set the timer for 60 more minutes.
Now it is time to make a decision.
Really thick or just thick?
If you want it just thick, remove the can from the water with tongs.
Let it set until you can handle with ease,
then open the can and use.
there will be a thicker layer on the bottom of the can.
Pour the liquid in a bowl and whisk it until the thicker part is incorporated.
It is so creamy and rich.
Beautiful color don’t you think?
Do you want it to be thicker like caramel?
If so, add more water to the pan
and set the timer to 60 more minutes.
When it is finished cooking,
it will have a much deeper color and will be much thicker.
Gorgeous coloring and so smooth!
Are you wondering how I used the Dulce de leche that I cooked?
Hmm…I guess you’ll have to visit again next week to find out!
I love dulce de leche. Thanks for the recipe.
That is a great post. Had me rolling on the floor.
This is an easy way to make caramel popcorn <3 great snack!!!
I did not realize this method took so long. But it looks so yummy. Adding it to the list of recipes "to do"!
My mouth is watering! 🙂