Here are 25 ideas for dulce de leche recipes!

Dulce de leche is also known as Mexican caramel. It is so flippin’ delicious. I feel it is underrated, chocolate always steals the limelight. So here is a healthy, um, rather, sweet list of ways to add this yummy treat to your favorite desserts.

It is a creamy and rich caramel sauce made from sweetened condensed goat’s (or cow) milk. It is a sweet and decadent treat that can be used on a variety of desserts. Think of it as a topping that can be delightfully drizzled on just about any dessert.

Trivia: The difference between dulce de leche and caramel is the former is made from only goat or cow milk and the latter is made with butter, cream, and sugar. There is also cajeta, which is also made from goat’s milk.

25 ideas for dulce de leche recipes:

I broke down these ideas into toppings, dippings, mix-ins, and layering. This list could go on forever!

Toppings and dippings:

dulce de leche recipes — Dipping churro in dulce de leche caramel. Wooden board with churros

S’mores – Spread dulce de leche on graham crackers and sandwich with marshmallows and chocolate.

French toast – Drizzle it on top or soak your bread in a mixture of egg, milk, and dulce de leche for a decadent breakfast.

Churros – Serve churros with a side of warm dulce de leche for dipping.

Ice cream sundae – Rather than use chocolate fudge, use it and top with pecans and whipped cream.

Plain cheesecake – Drizzle on top of plain pound cake or cheesecake.

Fruit tray – Bananas, apple slices, pear slices.

Oatmeal – Add a dollop on top.

Toast – spread on top of buttered toast.

Mix it in:

Brownies – Swirl dulce de leche into brownie batter before baking for a caramel twist.

Cheesecake – Incorporate dulce de leche into your cheesecake batter for a creamy, caramel-flavored dessert.

Ice Cream – Mix dulce de leche into your ice cream base for a rich, caramel-flavored treat.

Rice Pudding – Stir dulce de leche into cooked rice pudding for a caramel twist on this classic comfort food.

Cafecito – Stir a spoonful of dulce de leche into your coffee for a sweet, caramel flavor.

Pancakes – Swirl dulce de leche into pancake batter or use as a topping for an extra special breakfast.

Flan – Make a traditional flan even more decadent by adding dulce de leche to the custard mixture.

Chocolate Chip Cookies – Add dollops of dulce de leche to your cookie dough before baking for caramel-filled treats.

Milkshake – Blend dulce de leche with ice cream and milk for a creamy, caramel milkshake.

Banana Bread – Swirl dulce de leche into your banana bread batter before baking for a moist, caramel-infused loaf.

Hot Chocolate – Stir dulce de leche into hot chocolate for a decadent, creamy drink.

Pound Cake – Swirl dulce de leche into your pound cake batter for a caramel marble effect.

Layer it:

Banoffee Pie – Layer bananas, dulce de leche, and whipped cream on a biscuit base for this classic dessert.

Apple Pie – Layer slices of apple with dulce de leche in your pie for a caramel apple flavor.

Tiramisu – Replace some of the mascarpone mixture with dulce de leche for a caramel twist on this Italian classic.

Coconut bars – Layer coconut and dulce de leche over a biscuit base and bake for a chewy, sweet treat.

Use as a filling:

Alfajores – These traditional Latin American cookies consist of two shortbread-like cookies with a dulce de leche filling.

Crepes – Fill crepes with dulce de leche and a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a simple yet indulgent dessert.

Donuts – Fill homemade or store-bought donuts with dulce de leche for a sweet surprise.

Thumbprint cookies – Press your thumb into cookie dough balls, bake, and fill the indentations with dulce de leche.

Popsicles – Freeze a mixture of dulce de leche and cream for a simple, yet indulgent frozen treat.

Mousse – Whip dulce de leche with cream and egg whites for a light, airy dessert.

Empanadas – Or course, right?

And if you want to go deeper, there are other ways to use it in your baked goods and more. The final result is always worth the effort of making it!

How to make your own dulce de leche:

I’ve seen all kinds of videos on TikTok where you can make homemade dulce de leche simply by placing an unopened can for eight hours in a crock pot or instant pot of water bath. Make sure to have enough water to cover the top of the can. It will transform into a nutty brown color that is pretty much homemade caramel. Let cool to room temperature for a couple of hours. It is the easiest way I’ve seen to make it! LINK.

@treatsbyajoba

Making some dulce de leche for a order this weekend. #dulcedeleche #crockpot #bakingtiktok #VideoSnapChallenge

♬ Up – Cardi B

IMPORTANT: Make sure the water covers the top of the can! Otherwise, this will happen:

@jane_sasshole

ADHD got me today, got distracted and forgot I was making Dulce de Leche and the water line went below the can level 😬 BIG boom and a few hours of cleaning later 🤦🏻‍♀️ I had to laugh about it, to stop myself from crying 🤣

♬ original sound – Jane Sasshole

Here are different methods to make dulce de leche at home.

You can find condensed milk at your local supermarket

Here is a video that shows four ways to make dulce de leche.

Stovetop: Remove the label from a can of sweetened condensed milk, place it in a large pot, and fill the pot with water until the can is completely submerged. Bring the water to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 hours for a soft dulce de leche or longer for a thicker consistency. Make sure to keep the can covered with water at all times to avoid the risk of the can exploding.

Oven: Pour sweetened condensed milk into a pie dish or shallow baking dish. Cover it with foil and place it in a larger pan filled with water (creating a water bath). Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 1-1.5 hours or until it reaches the desired color and consistency. Stir occasionally throughout cooking.

Microwave: Pour sweetened condensed milk into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on a medium setting for 2 minutes at a time, stirring in between, for a total of about 12-15 minutes or until thickened and caramel-colored. This method requires attention to avoid boiling over.

Pressure Cooker: Also works with an Instant Pot. Place a can of sweetened condensed milk on a trivet inside your pressure cooker. Add water until the can is covered. Cook on high pressure for 35-40 minutes for a softer dulce de leche, or extend the time for a thicker texture. Allow natural release before opening the pressure cooker.

Double Boiler: Pour sweetened condensed milk into the top pan of a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 1-2 hours or until it’s thickened and caramel-colored. This method allows for direct control over the cooking temperature, reducing the risk of burning.

Sealed Jar in Water Bath: Similar to the slow cooker method, but this can be done on a stovetop. Place sealed jars of sweetened condensed milk in a large pot, cover with water, and simmer for 2-3 hours, ensuring the water level remains constant.