This delicious sweetened condensed milk caramel is made with only 1 ingredient using a slow cooker. Also known as Dulce De Leche. It’s SO EASY and absolutely Delicious!
We are caramel fanatics and have lots of amazing recipes using caramel like our Homemade Twix Cookies, Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Apple Butter and our Salted Caramel Bourbon Milkshake.
Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel
This caramel is called Dulce de Leche. The name comes from Latin America and is our favorite kind of caramel. It’s made by slowly heating sweetened milk which changes the color and also creates an incredible flavor.
Other homemade caramel requires a lot of attention and time stirring and making sure the caramel doesn’t burn on the bottom of the pan. This method is so quick and easy with amazing results. You’ll never want to make caramel any other way after trying this!
This caramel will be a bit thick compared to other caramels, but you can always thin it out by adding in a little bit of milk before you heat it in the microwave.
We think this Caramel spread is so handy to have in the fridge and can be used for lots of recipes. Also delicious with toast, graham crackers, drizzled on ice cream, cakes, pies, pancakes, etc…
Tips:
- You can thin out the caramel for drizzling by add a teaspoon or so of milk before heating.
- This Dulce de Leche will keep in the fridge for up to 1 month.
- Make sure you do NOT use evaporated milk, that is not the same thing as condensed milk.
- The cans have to cool before opening. Do NOT open the cans while hot. This could be dangerous.
- You will get the same results with any brand of sweetened condensed milk you decide to use.
Other Caramel Desserts
- Apple Bread Pudding
- Snickers Apple Salad
- Caramel Pecan Cinnamon Rolls
- Homemade Caramels
- Caramel Apple Empanadas
Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel (Slow Cooker)
Ingredients
- 2 14 ounce cans sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Place the sweetened condensed milk cans in the slow cooker over on their side. We take the labels off, but you can also leave them on.
- Add hot water over the cans leaving 2 inches of water over the cans.
- Turn on your slow cooker and set the time for 8 hours on low.
- Remove cans from slow cooker using hot pads or tongs. Do NOT open the cans just yet while they are Hot. This could result in the cans exploding and could be dangerous. Run the cans under cold water until cooled (about 8 minutes).
- Once cooled you can open the cans and dive in. You can eat from the can if you want it immediately, or you can spoon the caramel into air tight jars or glass containers to store in the fridge.
Last Step:
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- This will keep in the fridge for up to 1 month.
Nutrition
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24 comments on “Sweetened Condensed Milk Caramel – Slow Cooker”
I was very impressed with this one ingredient for making Carmel. It was almost too easy. Enjoyed it in different recipes or straight from the jar. Great as a topping, dipping sauce for fruit and in cakes and cookies.
Thanks Cynthia!
Can the finished product be frozen
Hi Val. Yes, it can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Can this be made & canned for a longer shelf life (canning)?
I tried this today for the first time. I was hoping to put it on top of my ice cream pies for Easter dinner tomorrow. I covered the can with water and cooked it on high in my slow cooker for 8 hours, then let it sit in the slow cooker until it cooled. I just opened the can and it looks just like sweetened condensed milk and doesn’t taste anything like caramel. It’s like nothing happened. Any ideas?
Hi Wanda. I’ve never had that happen before. I have had them overcook and get too dark, but not undercook especially in 8 hours. Maybe another reader can chime in if they have had the same issue.
Cook on LOW for 8 hours.
I’ve never used a slow cooker for caramel. I put the unopened can in a saucepan of boiling water for 2-3 hours. Enough water to cover the can. It’s never failed me so far