Description
Learn how to make rich, creamy Homemade Dulce de Leche with basic pantry ingredients using a convenient water bath baking method. This luscious caramel-like spread offers deep caramel flavor and customizable texture for use as a topping, spread, or dessert filling.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- Hot water (enough to fill roasting pan halfway up the dish)
Optional Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Prepare Your Water Bath: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a shallow, oven-safe dish and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Place this dish inside a larger roasting pan and fill the pan with hot water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the smaller dish.
- Bake Slowly: Place the water bath setup in the oven and bake for 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, adding more hot water as needed to maintain the water level. This slow cooking will caramelize the milk into a thick, golden dulce de leche.
- Whisk Until Smooth: Carefully remove the dish from the water bath. Remove the foil and whisk the dulce de leche vigorously until completely smooth and creamy. Stir in vanilla extract or baking soda now if using, to enhance flavor and texture.
- Cool and Store: Let the dulce de leche cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two weeks or use immediately as desired.
Notes
- Maintain a stable oven temperature for even caramelization without burning.
- Check and keep the water level steady halfway through baking to ensure consistent cooking.
- Choose a high-quality condensed milk for smoother, richer results.
- Whisk well before storing to break up any lumps and achieve creamy texture.
- Adjust baking time to control thickness: bake longer for thicker dulce de leche, or shorten for a runnier consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: dulce de leche, homemade dulce de leche, caramel spread, dessert topping, sweetened condensed milk