Turn a can of sweetened condensed milk into a luscious and silky caramel dip in this easy recipe for Crock-Pot Dulce de Leche! Then dip in some apples.
Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche
I had a friend tell me you could make a fantastic dip this way, but never tried it. I have seen a lot of talk lately on Pinterest about this and decided it was time to try. This was awesome! Literally.
We dipped apples in it, and now I am going to toss popcorn with it and make a great snack!
Equipment Needed For Crock-Pot Dulce de Leche Recipe:
- 4 Quart, 4.5 Quart, 5 Quart, 5.5 Quart, 6 Quart, 6.5 Quart Or 7 Quart Slow Cooker
- Clean Towel Or Paper Towels
- Can Opener
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use fat-free sweetened condensed milk to make this easy slow cooker dulce de leche. If you use fat-free sweetened condensed milk you bring the fat content down to zero grams per serving versus the 4 grams per serving when you use regular full-fat sweetened condensed milk.
The amount of water you will need to use to cover the can of sweetened condensed milk while cooking is going to vary depending on the size and shape of the slow cooker you use. Just add enough water to cover the can completely by at least 1/2 an inch. Because you are going to cook the can in the slow cooker you won’t loose too much water to evaporation, but if you find that your can is no longer covered by water while cooking just go ahead and add more water so that the can is always covered by water.
You can store the finished cooked dulce de leche in the can for up to 6 months. Just make sure the can is fully dried to prevent rusting. Also, because you removed the label from the can prior to cooking you will want to write on the can with a permanent marker what is inside the can and the date that it is best used by (6 months from the date you make it). That way, you are not left guessing what is inside the can when you are looking in your pantry.
Here are a few of my favorite ways to use dulce de leche:
– Fruit dip – Apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, pineapple many other types of fresh fruit taste fantastic when dipped in this yummy caramel sauce.
– Spread between cake layers – I love to make a chocolate cake and spread a layer of dulce de leche between the layers. Chocolate and caramel are such a classic combination. Other flavors of cake are great too!
– Sandwich between two cookies – Either store-bought or homemade cookies can be taken to the next level by sandwiching some between two cookies.
– Ice cream topping – Warm up some dulce de leche and drizzle over your favorite ice cream for a caramel ice cream topping.
– Popcorn – Pop up some popcorn in an air popcorn maker and drizzle some warm dulce de leche over the hot popcorn. The result: caramel corn!
– Rice Krispy Treats – Substitute out some or all of the marshmallows in the classic Rice Krispies treat to take them to the next level. I like to add a generous pinch of sea salt to make a salted caramel version!
– Dunk a doughnut – Yep, I said it, take a doughnut to the next level and dunk it into some dulce de leche!
– Waffles, pancakes or crepes – Oh my…heaven. Just spread a little on a hot waffle, pancake or crepe. Add some fresh fruit to make it a little healthier and dig in.
Special Diets
Gluten Free | Low Calorie | Low Cholesterol | Low Fat | Low Sodium | Vegetarian
This recipe for Crock-Pot Dulce de Leche is Weight Watchers Friendly on the new Personal Points plan. You can see the WW personal points for this recipe here on the Weight Watchers website. Click here for MORE of our Weight Watchers Recipes
More Crockpot Dips You Need To Try!
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This cheesy Slow Cooker Cowboy Grub dip is loaded with bacon, sausage, tomatoes, chilies, green onions and the perfect spices. Grab some chips and dip on in!
Crock-Pot Chicken Queso Dip
With only 3 ingredients, this super easy Slow Cooker Chicken Queso Dip is super easy to make and will be a huge hit at your next game day party!
Crock-Pot Queso Sausage Dip
Grab your favorite chips, crackers or fresh veggies and dip on into this amazing Slow Cooker Queso Sausage Dip. Your party guests will love this recipe!
Crock-Pot Pulled Pork Cheesy Bacon Dip
Be prepared to have your socks knocked off with this fantastic Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Cheesy Bacon Dip! BBQ pulled pork, cheese & bacon make for a tasty dip!
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Crock-Pot Dulce de Leche Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 Ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk
- Water (Enough To Cover Can In Slow Cooker)
Instructions
- Remove the paper label from the can of sweetened condensed milk and discard.
- Place entire sealed can of sweetened condensed milk in a 4 quart or larger slow cooker.
- Add enough water to the slow cooker to submerge the can complexly under water.
- Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on LOW for 8 hours.
- Turn slow cooker OFF (or unplug it), remove lid and let the can cool to room temperature in the slow cooker for several hours.
- Once can is fully cooled to room temperature, remove can from slow cooker and dry off the water with a clean towel or paper towels.
- Open can with a can opener and enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure when you purchase your can of sweetened condensed milk that you do not buy a can with a pop-top. While the pop-top on a can is convenient for easy opening it does not hold up well for the slow cooking process of cooking the dulce de leche in the can.
- It's important to allow the can of dulche de leche to cool completely in the slow cooker (turned off) until the can is at room temperature before opening the can. Attempting to open the can while it is still hot can cause the can to explode and cause burns. I usually allow the can to cool overnight or at least 6 hours before using.
Nutrition
Oh wow! So simple. If I don’t use all the condensed milk I bought for making fudge, I’m so making this!!! Thanks Katie.
It is interesting that the recipe says remove lable…and the can in the photo has it on! I am sure it tastes good either way.
I didnt think of taking the label off when I put it in the crock-pot. But when I removed it and it was half tore off on one side, I thought that I probably should of taken it off. It works either way…just depends on how much of a mess you want to deal with. lol!
I remember doing this as a kid with my 2nd mom! Only she did it on the stovetop in a sauce pan….YUMMY!!!!!
I’ve done this and put 3 cans in the crockpot. As long as the cans are unopened, they will keep for quite some time in the pantry after they’ve been cooked. I read that somewhere and then I tried it. Cook once and indulge now and later!
Would this work cooked outside of the can? I worry about the high Bpa levels these cans leach into food when exposed to higher temperatures. Thanks!!
I am not sure. Might be worth trying. You would need it in a sealed container. maybe a jar with a lid?
Can I wait until this is cooled and then mix it with popcorn and peanuts to make Carmel corn? Do I need to add anything else to it?
I put the milk into 4 ounce canning jars, and close them tightly. Cover with water and cook for 6-8 hours. If you have hard water, use distilled water so the jars come out shiny. Pull them out with tongs and let cool, they will seal themselves up.
How much head space do you leave?
Hi Dee, for this recipe you just want to cover the can of evaporated milk by at least 1/2 inch of water.
Carnation milk says the cans are pa free
Could you cook this on high in the crock pot and take less time?
Hi Terese for best results for this particular recipe it is best to cook it on low and for a longer time.
This makes great pies. Use 2 cans, cool, pout into Graham cracker crust and top with chocolate shavings. Great to take anywhere.
I made this exactly as it said and it came out super pale. I cooked it on low submerged in water for 8 hours and turn it off and let it cool completely for another 8 hours. When I open the can I was highly disappointed to see a very pale caramel. Not at all like what Dulce de leche should actually look like. Now I have to stick it in a pan on the stove on low and continue to cook it until it reaches the actual color it should be. I would not recommend 8 hours. You would probably need closer to 12 hours to get a more accurate color and flavor.
I am sorry this didn’t work out for you Steven. Unfortunately some slow cookers cook at a lower temperature than others. I have made this recipe several times and it was done at the stated cooking time each time.
How do you store this and for how long?
Hi Al, you can store this Crock-Pot Dulche de Leche in the refrigerator in a plastic or glass food storage container with a lid for up to 2 weeks.