Did you know you can make creamy dulce de leche from condensed milk right in the can? This easy sweet jam recipe is so hands-off it doesn’t even require stirring. Use this sweet caramel milk spread for everything from waffles and toast to ice cream, cakes and candy apples.
If you’ve ever looked up how to make dulce de leche from scratch before, you may have been intimidated.
But today you are in for a sweet treat, as making dulce de leche from a can of condensed milk is extremely simple.
This is a 1 ingredient, 2-step recipe.
You only have to take out the label of a sweetened condensed milk can and boil it for a few hours.
And what makes this simple recipe even sweeter is you don’t have to stand over a stove stirring and stirring constantly. Doesn't get much easier than that, does it?
Also called “caramel milk spread” or “milk jam”, you can spread this homemade dulce de leche on your morning toast or pancakes. Stir a little in your coffee if your bold.
Use it for the best dulce de leche brownies ever. Drizzle it on your waffles, apple slices, ice cream, or all of those at once. The possibilities are many.
From breakfast to dessert, you’ll be living la dulce vida with this easy dulce de leche.
Why make this recipe
- Very easy: it's the easiest way to make and enjoy delicious homemade dulce de leche anytime. It is so much simpler and hands-off than traditional recipes.
- Versatile: this caramel-like spread can be used for many things, from breakfast to desserts.
- Hands-off recipe: there's very little work on your part.
- Absolutely delicious! Trust me on this, I've been eating it for decades.
Kitchen Notes
- Organization: read the recipe first and ensure you have ingredients at the correct temperature, utensils and equipment needed, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier.
- Label: it may seem simple enough, but make sure you remove the label first before you place the can in the pot.
- Be careful when removing the can: they are hot! So use tongs to carefully remove the cans from the hot water when they are finished.
- Let the can cool down before opening: do not try to open them while they are still hot. The built-up pressure inside the can may cause the hot dulce de leche to spit out if opened too soon. The hot caramel milk can burn your skin.
- Variations in color and texture: depending on how long you boil the can, you can customize your dulce de leche to be thicker and darker. I like it between 2 and ½ and 3 hours. Some people prefer a thinner spread and boil it for 2 hours. Experiment and find your sweet spot.
1 step, 1 ingredient dulce de leche recipe
You need 1 or more cans of sweetened condensed milk and a large pot of boiling water.
How long should you boil the condensed milk can?
Boil it for no less than 2 hours and no more than 3 hours.
- What happens in that extra hour? It will make the dulce de leche thicker and darker. I boil it for 2 and ½ hours. That's my perfect spot, and I encourage you to find yours.
- Thicker or thinner? If the dulce de leche is at room temperature, it will have thickened (first can from the bottom). The other two have warm and hot dulce de leche, and you can see they're thinner in consistency.
Storing
- Refrigerator: this is the best way to keep dulce de leche and it keeps indefinitely, or pretty much. I never saw a dulce de leche go bad, ever. What does happen is that it will eventually turn grainy due to crystallization, and it dries out. But for this to happen, it usually takes months.
- Containers: I like glass jars with tight fitting lids, they are the best way to keep it. Plastic containers also work.
You can, in theory, freeze it. But there's no point since it keeps for so long in the fridge.
Uses for dulce de leche
This is not the type of dulce de leche you use for fillings, as it's not thick enough.
- On its own: a spoonful of dulce de leche as dessert is common among fans, especially my father.
- Banana or apple slices: serve them alongside a dollop of dulce de lehce or drizzled on top, and you're in for a treat.
- Sauce: use it to top vanilla or chocolate ice cream, apple crumble, granola, pancakes, waffles and french toast. If necessary, thin it slightly with water, milk, cream or liquor.
- Toast: slather a piece of homemade bread with butter and dulce de leche.
- Old-fashioned desserts: from flan to rice pudding and floating island or bread pudding, dairy-based desserts turn extraordinary when served with this sweet jam.
Let me know in the comments below if you made this recipe and loved it and if you had issues so we can troubleshoot together. I love to hear what you think, always. Thanks for being here. It's much appreciated.
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Dulce de Leche from Condensed Milk (1 ingredient recipe)
Did you know you can make creamy dulce de leche from condensed milk right in the can? This easy recipe is similar to caramel and so hands-off it doesn’t even require stirring. Use this sweet caramel milk spread for everything from waffles and toast to ice cream, cakes and candy apples.
- Total Time: 2 hours 3 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup
Ingredients
- 1 can of dulce de leche (I make batches of 3 at a time)
Instructions
- Remove the label from the can.
- Place the can in a big pot with a lid.
- Cover cans with tap water, making sure the water level is at least 2 inches above the can/s. 

- Bring the water to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Reduce heat to lowest and let simmer for 2 ½ to 3 hours. If the cans are on their side, move them around so they cook evenly. Always check the water covers them.
- Remove from the water and let it cool down completely before opening so it doesn't spatter and you risk burning.
- To store, transfer to a jar with lid or airtight container and refrigerate.
Notes
- Be careful when removing the can: they are hot! So use tongs to carefully remove the cans from the hot water when they are finished.
- Let the can cool down before opening: do not try to open them while they are still hot. The built-up pressure inside the can may cause the hot dulce de leche to spit out if opened too soon. The hot caramel milk can burn your skin.
- Variations in color and texture: depending on how long you boil the can, you can customize your dulce de leche to be thicker and darker. I like it between 2 and ½ and 3 hours. Some people prefer a thinner spread and boil it for 2 hours. Experiment and find your sweet spot.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Toppings & Sauces
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: International
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