When I found out I could make Dulce de Leche in the Instant Pot, I just about jumped for joy! This stuff is awesome! I’ve been eating it all my life. In Honduras, we use it in so many ways but I personally like to eat it straight from the spoon with no regard for politeness!!
This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosure.
My brother-in-law, who is from Venezuela, is a huge fan of Dulce de Leche and I remember he used to boil the cans of condensed milk on the stove for hours (I mean 3-4 hours!) until the condensed milk turned into Dulce de Leche. I’m guessing he will want to invest in an Instant Pot after he reads this!
One Ingredient Dulce de Leche
It doesn’t get any easier than this folks! Have a can of condensed milk and an Instant Pot? You can make Dulce de Leche!
Creamy and Delicious Homemade Dulce de Leche
This Dulce de Leche is absolutely perfect. You can eat it with apples, use it to top cheesecakes, or cakes, eat it straight from the spoon, and so many other ways! It also makes a perfect homemade gift for friends and family.
Just a few simple steps and you’ll be enjoying some creamy and delicious homemade Dulce de Leche ….. Here we go!
Essential Items
Here are some essential prep tools, utensils, and appliances I used to make this recipe.
Featured Items
Here is a list of the products featured in this post or products similar to those featured in this post:
- Instant Pot
- Half Pint Mason Jars
- Large Liquid Measuring Cup
- Mini Mitts
- Mini Silicone Spatulas
- Tongs
- Jar Lifter
- Flexible Cutting Mats
12 Must-Have Instant Pot Cookbooks
If you’re looking for a cookbook with easy and reliable Instant Pot recipes, then check out my list of approved Instant Pot Cookbooks.
Making Dulce de Leche in the Instant Pot
Here are the simple steps you need to follow to make your own homemade Dulce de Leche.
What You’ll Need
A few cans of Sweetened Condensed Milk and some mason jars. That’s it!
Prep the Mason Jars
Pour the sweetened condensed milk into the mason jars. I like to use the smaller jars so I can fit several in the pot at a time. I usually fill up two jars from one can of condensed milk.
Make sure and scrape every last bit out of the can. Don’t want to waste this deliciousness. A mini spatula is perfect for scraping cans!
Put the lids on the jars and tighten by hand, just tight enough to close, not too tight.
Place the Mason Jars in the Instant Pot
Place your trivet in the Instant Pot and arrange the jars on top of the trivet.
Now you have to fill up the pot with water to just about half an inch below the bottom part of the lids. I can’t tell you exactly how much water that is since it depends on the size of your pot and the size of your jars.
Set Your Instant Pot
Set the Instant Pot on Manual High Pressure for 35 minutes. (On newer models the Manual button has been replaced by the Pressure Cook button) Once cooking has completed, you will do an NPR (natural pressure release).
Allow the Jars to Cool
Remove the jars from the Instant Pot and allow them to sit until they are cool to the touch. Resist the urge to touch or open them.
Open and Stir the Dulce de Leche
Once the jars have cooled, open each one. This is what they will look like.
You will need to mix each jar until it reaches a smooth consistency. At first, it will look a little clumpy.
After a couple of minutes of stirring, you will have a smooth Dulce de Leche. I have never needed to use anything other than a spoon to get them to be this smooth.
Enjoy Your Instant Pot Dulce de Leche
Once smooth, your Dulce de Leche is now ready to eat. If you don’t eat the whole jar immediately (because who does that, right? Not me, that’s for sure), then you’ll want to put the jars in the refrigerator for storing.
These make perfect gifts! Wrap a jar up in cellophane paper with a couple of beautiful apples, and it’s an inexpensive but wonderful homemade gift!
You know you want to go make some right now! Go look for a can of condensed milk. You’ll thank me later!
QUICK & EASY RECIPES
When you sign up to become a newsletter member, you’ll get access to my latest quick & easy homemade recipes, homemaker tips and tricks, free printables, and more delivered directly to your inbox each week.
Instant Pot Dulce de Leche
AUTHENTIC LATIN AMERICAN CARAMEL SPREAD MADE FROM SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK
Essential Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 half pint mason jars
- sweetened condensed milk I prefer Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Fill up jars with sweetened condensed milk.
- Place lids on jars and tighten by hand (not too tight) and then place the jars on the trivet in the Instant Pot.
- Fill the pot with water up to about a half inch below the bottom of the lids.
- Close the Instant Pot, set it to Sealing and cook on “Manual / Pressure Cook” for 35 minutes on High Pressure. Once cooking has completed, do a full NPR (natural pressure release).
- Once the pressure has been fully released, open the pot, remove the jars carefully (they are extremely hot) and let them cool on a cooling rack or cutting board.
- Once the jars are very cool to the touch, remove the lids (they can sometimes be difficult to remove, so be careful not to cut yourself on the lid).
- Use a spoon to stir the Dulce de Leche until it is smooth.
- Once smooth, it is ready to enjoy.
Nutrition Facts
Notes
Refrigerate. Make sure to put the jars in the refrigerator for storing.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoying your dulce de leche. Serve it with apples, or ice cream, use it to top cheesecakes, or cakes, or eat it straight from the jar!
Hi Valerie! Just made these and they turned out perfect! I had a couple jars that sealed and was wondering if since they are in “hot water bath” per say, would they be safe to store on a shelf like other canned jars?
Hi Kathy! I wouldn’t store it on the shelf. The IP doesn’t “can” so I would not consider it safe. I’d wait until it cools completely and then try to take the lid off. I’m actually considering changing the recipe to use foil instead of the jar lids. Hope this helps! Thanks for stopping by!
Could I just put the unopened can of condensed milk in the IP and skip the jars? Just wondering! Thanks for sharing this!
Hi Cathy! I prefer to use the jars. If you use the cans, you cannot use the ones with the pull tab. You also have to remove the labels and I just don’t like messing with all the glue on the cans from the labels. In my opinion, it’s just easier and neater in jars. That being said, there are people that make it in the can. Just remember, no pull tabs.
Can this be made with fat free or skim sweetened condensed milk?
Hi Sandy! I have never bought a can of fat free condensed milk. I’m not 100% sure what your results would be. I think it’s definitely worth a try. You could do just one jar in the pot to see how it comes out. Let me know if you decide to try it!
Hi! I followed your directions exactly. Mine had small lumps despite vigorous stirring. I’m a bit disappointed with it. Also, it’s lighter and less caramel-y than store bought. How can this be tweaked?
Hi Jennifer! To get a darker Dulce you’ll need to do more time, 40 min may work for you. I’ve never had an issue with lumps remaining after a few minutes of mixing with a spoon. You may try a fork instead. What brand condensed milk did you use?