Instant Pot Dulce De Leche
Perfect Instant Pot dulce de leche is possible in only 30 minutes! All you need is an Instant Pot and sweetened condensed milk!
Dulce de leche is a rich, caramel-like sauce made by slowly heating sweetened condensed milk until it transforms into a deep golden treat. Traditionally, it requires hours of low, slow cooking, but the Instant Pot makes the process fast and nearly foolproof. In about an hour, start to finish, you’ll have perfectly silky dulce de leche ready to drizzle, dip, or spoon straight from the jar. This method is safe, consistent, and mess-free—ideal for gift-giving or whenever a dessert needs a boost of creamy caramel flavor.
?Tips
Here are some tips for making dulce de leche in the Instant Pot:
- Use canning jars no larger than 8 ounces to ensure even cooking.
- Only fill jars about 3/4 full to allow room for expansion.
- Tightly secure lids but don’t over-tighten—they should be snug, not cranked down.
- Always use a trivet or rack to keep jars off the bottom of the pot and prevent rattling or breakage.
- Avoid sudden temperature changes when removing jars—place them on a towel or cooling rack.
? Ways to Use Dulce de Leche
- Spoon over ice cream or cheesecake.
- Swirl into brownie batter before baking.
- Drizzle over pancakes, waffles, or French toast.
- Use as a filling for sandwich cookies or alfajores.
- Stir into coffee or hot chocolate.
- Layer into trifles or parfaits.
- Spread over toast or graham crackers.
- Add to milkshakes or smoothies for richness.
? How to Store and Reheat
Storage: Store dulce de leche in the refrigerator in a sealed jar or airtight container. Use within 2 weeks for best flavor and texture.Reheating: To reheat, scoop the amount you need into a small microwave-safe bowl or jar. Warm in short bursts of 10 to 15 seconds, stirring in between, until warm and spreadable. Alternatively, reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat.
Freezing Not Recommended: Freezing dulce de leche can cause it to separate or become grainy when thawed. For best results, make smaller batches and store in the fridge.
Instant Pot Dulce De Leche
Perfect dulce de leche is possible in only 30 minutes with the Instant Pot pressure cooker.
Ingredients
- 1 14- ounce can sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Jars: Divide the sweetened condensed milk among two 8-ounce canning jars or four 4-ounce jars. Secure the lids and place them on a trivet in the Instant Pot. Add enough water to almost reach the lids on the jars (about 1/2 inch below the metal lids).
- Pressure Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and ensure the steam release vent is in the sealing position. Select the pressure cook (or manual on older models) setting, high pressure, and set the timer for 30 minutes. When the time is up, allow a natural release for 15 minutes. Carefully release the remaining steam.
- Finish: Remove the jars to a rack to cool, then refrigerate and use within 2 weeks.
Notes
Tips for Thinning Dulce de Leche
- If the dulce de leche is too thick after chilling, stir in a teaspoon or two of milk or cream until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Warm it gently in the microwave (5-10 seconds at a time) or on the stovetop over low heat, then stir until smooth.
- For a pourable sauce, thin with warm evaporated milk or a splash of water and whisk until fully blended.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
