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Home Thanksgiving All Thanksgiving Recipes

Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel (Slow Cooker)

By:Nagi
Published:7 Oct '14Updated:13 Nov '20
153 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

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Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel (Dulce de Leche)

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 1 minute min
Cook: 8 hours hrs
Total: 8 hours hrs 1 minute min
Dessert, Sauce
South American
4.89 from 18 votes
Servings3 cups
Tap or hover to scale
Print
  • 2324
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 @recipe_tin.

 

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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!

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153 Comments

  1. Annie says

    November 23, 2023 at 9:35 am

    I won’t be making this again, unfortunately. It’s missing the wonderful complexity of caramel sauce made from scratch. I had fun trying this experiment though!

    Reply
  2. Patricia Ace says

    September 3, 2023 at 11:59 pm

    If I fill a small cake pan and cut them into cubes will they stay firm?

    Reply
  3. Kat says

    July 29, 2023 at 11:25 pm

    I make carmel pie using the crockpot recipe. Just open the cans n put it in a graham cracker crust n spread. U can add melted chocolate on the crust before filling too. Everyone loves it

    Reply
  4. Vicki Hanna says

    July 24, 2023 at 6:13 pm

    Sweetened condensed milk caramel in slow cooker!! The label on the can says do not heat in can ?? Is this warning to be ignored for slow cooking

    Reply
  5. Craig Leon says

    May 12, 2023 at 11:23 pm

    4 stars
    Came out lighter than the pictures but still pretty tasty. Can left a mark on the crockpot liner.

    Reply
  6. Ani Jones says

    December 25, 2022 at 1:15 pm

    5 stars
    This is simply amazing! And it’s amazingly simple! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

    Reply
  7. Deborah Schultz says

    December 12, 2022 at 4:30 am

    Very disappointing. Followed the recipe EXACTLY. The contents were dark brown and the consistency cottage cheese

    Reply
  8. Lindsay says

    November 2, 2022 at 7:34 am

    Would this work for caramel tart filling?

    Reply
  9. Shane says

    June 10, 2022 at 10:46 pm

    5 stars
    Turned out exactly like the picture, it was so easy thank you for posting this I was going to do the stove-top method but I found this and I’m so glad I did no fuss about water levels or watching it just pop it into the crackpot and wait…that was the hard part. It’s really rich and hard not to keep eating, I am planning on pouring it over a chocolate cheesecake with chocolate Gamache I’m hoping to add a flavor to complement all of the chocolate that is in my cheesecake.

    Reply
  10. Shanno says

    March 13, 2022 at 9:17 pm

    What if I do 1 can only will the time to slow cook be different

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      March 14, 2022 at 12:52 am

      No Shanno the cook time is the same. N x

      Reply
  11. Teresa Noles says

    December 21, 2021 at 11:50 am

    5 stars
    Wow! I tried this and it really works! So good! Instead of jam in some thumbprint cookies I used this then topped it with a little melted chocolate. And what was left I made some turtle bark by melting chocolate then spreading the caramel and adding chopped pecans. Let it cool and broke it into bite sized pieces. Excellent. I think the next time I make a chocolate cake I’ll put this in between layers and maybe even on top too

    Reply
  12. Tee says

    November 24, 2021 at 4:36 am

    Can you make this on high in the crockpot? What about in the instapot?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      November 25, 2021 at 6:10 pm

      No Tee, it needs to be low and slow to caramelise properly and definitely DON’T cook it under pressure. On low on the slow cooker is the way to go. N x

      Reply
  13. Beth says

    October 27, 2021 at 2:54 pm

    Do I put the lid on the slow cooker?

    Reply
    • Amanda Huber says

      August 10, 2023 at 9:22 pm

      I’m wondering this as well!

      Reply
  14. Kathleen says

    October 27, 2021 at 4:57 am

    I want to do a caramel for apple slices. Will this work as a dip?

    Reply
    • Nagi says

      October 27, 2021 at 5:08 pm

      Yes Kathleen! See Note 6 – I use it for churros! N x

      Reply
      • Kathleen says

        October 29, 2021 at 12:56 am

        Excellent!
        Our church is holding a “trunk-or-treat” event and we want to serve apple slices with caramel. Purchasing the store packages would be too expensive, but this will be very economical. Blessings! K 🙂

        Reply
  15. Annette Gorz says

    August 16, 2021 at 2:52 pm

    This looks fantastic! What a great idea! I really can’t wait to try it. I love how you give the directions to cook this on the stove, too. Thank you again!

    Reply
  16. Toni C says

    August 16, 2021 at 8:33 am

    Please be sure to use the FULLY sealed cans and NOT the ones with the pull tabs.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      September 25, 2021 at 10:04 pm

      What happens if you use a can with a pull tab? (… I ask as I turn on my Crock Pot with just such a can in it.)

      Reply
      • Sherri says

        November 11, 2021 at 3:54 am

        All I have are pull tab cans. Did it work???

        Reply
        • Cassie says

          November 13, 2021 at 5:51 am

          It worked just fine for me!

          Reply
  17. Pat Rolt says

    August 13, 2021 at 10:27 am

    Can this be done with sweetened coconut condensed milk too?

    Reply
    • Ali says

      April 7, 2022 at 8:37 pm

      I tried it and it works. Mine came out a light brown color the first time.

      Reply
      • Pat Rolt says

        April 8, 2022 at 7:45 pm

        Thank you for this. I’ll give it a try.

        Reply
    • Nagi says

      August 14, 2021 at 10:48 am

      I honestly haven’t tried Pat – one to add to the list! N x

      Reply
      • Pat Rolt says

        August 15, 2021 at 9:33 am

        I may give it a try sometime soon. I think it would be delicious in a banoffee pie.

        Reply
        • Mindi says

          September 29, 2021 at 6:00 am

          Sweetened condensed coconut milk works great. I do it all the time, it’s hard to find a good dairy free caramel and this method is awesome.

          Reply
  18. ada says

    July 31, 2021 at 4:13 pm

    Hi Nagi, if you don’t open the cooked caramel can it be stored in the can or does it need to be decanted into a jar? thanks

    Reply
  19. CE says

    July 5, 2021 at 1:02 pm

    I pressure-cook (15 lbs) the cans for 15 – 20 minutes and let cool naturally before opening the cooker so the cans won’t burst. 20 minutes gives a bit more solid result that’s also a little darker than the 15 minute version.

    Reply
  20. Ashley says

    June 1, 2021 at 2:20 am

    5 stars
    Thanks Nagi! This was so easy!! My Mum used to make this all the time as a child and I’d forgotten how great it was. Thanks for reminding me 💜

    Reply
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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

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