Easy Dulce de Leche Recipe
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This Easy Dulce de Leche Recipe is rich, creamy, and unbelievably simple to make with just one ingredient! It’s sweet, sticky, and smooth, and perfect for drizzling over ice cream, layering into cakes, or enjoying by the spoonful. If you’ve ever wondered how to make dulce de leche at home, this method is completely foolproof and oven-friendly.
*This post was originally published on April 29, 2019. I thought it was due for an update, so I’ve added additional info and answers to some frequently asked questions. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy this dulce de leche recipe as much as I do!*
Table of Contents
- Here’s Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- In Photos: How To Make Dulce de Leche
- Ways To Use Dulce de Leche
I love cinco de Mayo! Any excuse to get out in the sunshine, drink margaritas, and eat fabulous Mexican dishes like guacamole and churros is ok with me!
One of the most iconic Mexican sweets would have to be dulce de leche. I’m so happy to be bringing you this easy recipe today! It is so simple to make and it tastes fantastic!
Here’s Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This recipe uses just one ingredient, so you won’t need to hunt down anything special.
- There are no fancy tools involved, just a baking dish, foil, and a roasting pan.
- It’s almost entirely hands-off with no need to stir or monitor a pot on the stove.
- You can customize it to your preferred consistency by baking it longer for a thicker, more intense flavor.
- It’s incredibly versatile, working beautifully in desserts, on toast, or even straight from the spoon.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The recipe card at the bottom of the post contains the full list with all of the amounts. Refer to that when you’re cooking.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk: Ideal for making dulce de leche because it’s milk that’s already been sweetened and reduced, allowing it to caramelize evenly and develop that signature thick, toasty flavor with minimal effort.
In Photos: How To Make Dulce de Leche
This may be the easiest recipe on this site. It only has one ingredient! Doesn’t get much simpler than that, right??
I’ve seen dulce de leche made in all sorts of different ways, from stove top to microwave to slow cooker. But I really think this is the best method because it’s safe, almost entirely hands-off, and relatively quick.
Step 1: Preheat
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
Step 2: Prep
Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a pie plate or shallow baking dish.
Step 3: Cover
Cover the dish tightly with foil.
Step 4: Water Bath
Set the dish inside a larger roasting pan and pour in hot water until it reaches about 1 inch up the sides.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for about 2 hours, checking occasionally to top off the water if needed.
Once it reaches your desired golden-brown color and thickness, remove it from the oven and give it a good whisk to smooth out any lumps.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
- Use a deep roasting pan so the water doesn’t evaporate too quickly.
- Be sure the foil is sealed tightly to prevent a skin from forming.
- The longer you bake it, the thicker and darker it becomes.
How To Store Dulce de Leche
Most of the recipes you see will instruct you to keep dulce de leche refrigerated. If you have any doubt whatsoever, you should definitely do that.
I tend to be more relaxed about these kinds of things, and I know that with the sugar content being as high as it is, it’s very unlikely that any type of microbes would be able to grow. It’s truly a candy, similar to soft caramel sauce, which usually does not require refrigeration.
So, use your best judgment!
Honestly, I doubt you’ll have leftovers hanging around for very long anyway!
Ways To Use Dulce de Leche
Dulce de leche can be used in so many different ways. Here are just a few ideas:
- Drizzled over ice cream.
- As a dip for churros, fruit, or cookies.
- As a filling for cakes and cupcakes, cookies, or macarons.
- It can also be swirled into your favorite brownies or blondies!
- And think about giving out jars of dulce de leche as gifts! It would make an awesome party favor.
Yes! While this recipe uses the oven method, you can also simmer an unopened can of sweetened condensed milk in water for 2 to 3 hours (fully submerged at all times), or cook it in a slow cooker covered in water on low for 8 hours. Always cool completely before opening if using the canned method.
Not quite. Caramel is made by heating sugar, while dulce de leche is made by slowly cooking milk and sugar together. Dulce de leche has a more milky, toffee-like flavor.
Easy Dulce de Leche Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 ounces (396.89 ml) sweetened condensed milk, (1 can)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Place the sweetened condensed milk in a pie plate or similar baking dish, and cover it tightly with foil.
- Place the covered dish in a larger pan, and pour hot water into the larger pan until it comes about 1 inch up the sides.
- Bake in the oven for about 2 hours (checking every so often to refill with water if needed), or until the desired color and thickness* are achieved.
- Whisk the dulce de leche to smooth out any lumps.
I just love your recipes, clear and simple! But I feel there should be a warning using glass baking dishes. To always replenish the water for a water bath with BOILING water! If it’s not, the glass WILL EXPLODE.
Just baking responsibly. 🙂
Thanks Sue! I agree, it’s very important to make sure and refill the water as needed. Especially for glass or pottery dishes. Definitely want to follow that instruction in Step 4 of the recipe directions!