This crockpot Dulce de Leche recipe is almost too easy to believe! Dulce de leche, which means “sweet milk” in Spanish, is popular in Mexico and is loved around the world for its rich, caramel flavor. With just one ingredient and your slow cooker, you’ll have the most luscious, creamy caramel that’s perfect for drizzling on desserts, using as a dip, or spooning straight from the jar.
What makes this recipe so special is how effortless it is. Instead of monitoring a water bath on the stove top or using an oven method, you use a simple slow cooker. All you have to do is set it, forget it, and come back to a golden, silky treat that’s the perfect consistency every time.
If you love simple, sweet dips like this one, try my Caramel Apple Dip, Pumpkin Dip, and Nutella Dip. They’re all family favorites!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Super Simple. Just one ingredient, zero prep, and the crockpot does all the work.
- Big Batch. You can make as many cans as will fit in the crock pot.
- Caramel Topping. Perfect topping for desserts, fruit, or coffee.
Dulce de Leche Recipe Ingredients
- Sweetened condensed milk (3x 14-ounce cans)- The only ingredient you need! As it cooks low and slow, the milk transforms into thick, rich dulce de leche, which is a creamy caramel-like spread that’s pure perfection.
How to Make Dulce de Leche
PREP. Remove labels from the sweetened condensed milk cans and place them, unopened, into the crockpot.
COOK. Fill the crockpot with water so that it covers the tops of the cans by 1 inch. Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours (closer to 10 hours if you want a darker color).
COOL. Once done, remove cans and let cool completely. Open and use dulce de leche. If not using right away, transfer the dulce de leche to airtight containers.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Place however many cans you would like that will fit in the bottom of your crockpot.
- Always keep the cans fully submerged in water to prevent bursting.
- Let the cans cool fully before opening; they’ll be very hot and under pressure right after cooking!
- Try it as a dip for fruit, a drizzle over ice cream, create cookie sandwiches, or spread on pancakes for a fun breakfast twist.
How To Make Dulce de Leche
Ingredients
- 3 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Remove labels from the sweetened condensed milk cans and place into the crockpot.
- Fill the crock pot with water so that it covers the tops of the cans by 1 inch.
- Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours (closer to 10 hours if you want a darker color).
- Once done, remove cans and let cool completely. Open and use dulce de leche. If not using right away, transfer the dulce de leche to air tight containers.
Notes
- Place however many cans you would like that will fit in the bottom of your crockpot.
- Always keep the cans fully submerged in water to prevent bursting.
- Let the cans cool fully before opening; they’ll be very hot and under pressure right after cooking!
- Try it as a dip for fruit, a drizzle over ice cream, or a spread on pancakes for a fun breakfast twist.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Once opened and cooled, transfer dulce de leche to airtight jars or containers. Store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
Warm gently in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until smooth and pourable.
More Like This
Caramel Recipes
Mexican Desserts
Easy Tres Leches Cake
4 hrs 32 mins
Churro Recipe
35 mins
Carmelitas
45 mins
How to Make Flan
9 hrs 10 mins
