Crock Pot Dulce de Leche is an easy slow cooker caramel recipe that takes just one ingredient. Simple to make & the perfect topping for fall desserts.
There have been a lot of different ways to make Dulce de Leche (milk caramel) floating around lately. Some of you may wonder what all the hype is about.
Some of you may be hesitant to give it a try because you just don’t know how it will turn out. I did give it a try – several times.
So I decided to give you my way of doing it – after trying several different ways & coming up with what I found to be the easiest way for me.
Use this Dulce de Leche in this recipe for Caramel Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream Frosting!
This post contains some affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
I don’t know about you- but I love having caramel on hand. If I want an ice cream topping, making a new treat- whatever!!
I like to have it & eliminate a step. You know I like to make lots of things with caramel-(caramel recipes here) especially now that the fall season is upon us & I have an ABUNDANCE of produce at the moment. (HUGE SMILES HERE)
I like this recipe because I can make several jars at a time so I always have some on hand & I can utilize my crockpot- leaving my oven open & available for whatever I may be making that day.
Jars- as you can see I did different sizes. Sweetened Condensed Milk- I am showing 2 cans here but I ended up doing 3 for this.
Okay- so 1 can into the big jar. Then another can that filled 1-1/2 of the little ones. Then I took the 3rd can & topped off the rest of the second small jar & then filled the big jar a bit more.
Put on your lids- tightly!!! Make sure the rims are clean & clear of any dribbles first.
Easy Slow Cooker Caramel
Place in your crock pot & fill with water until completely submerged. Plug in- cover- cook on high 4-6 hours.
Once it’s the color you desire- remove with large tongs. Cool 60 min on wire rack & then transfer to the refrigerator.
Crockpot Dulce de Leche
For these little ones- I did 4 hours because I wanted a lighter color.
For the larger one I left it in for an additional hour for a slightly darker color.
The first time I did both for the full 6 hours- it was a bit deeper & thicker. I like having a variety depending on what I may need it for.
Here are some commonly asked questions
What is the best way to store leftover Dulce de Leche?
I like to keep one jar in the refrigerator for up to 10-14 days. Once all the other jars have cooled to room temperature, I label them with the date and pop them in the freezer. Use those frozen ones within 6 months.
Can this recipe be doubled?
You can, and we do it often. I like to fit as many jars as I possibly can in my slow cooker so I can maximize my cooking time.
HOW DO YOU MAKE Dulce de Leche in the slow cooker?
- Transfer the sweetened condensed milk into a canning jar and place the lid on tightly.
- Place the jar in the slow cooker & cover with water.
- Cook on high 4-6 hours or until it becomes the desired color you are after.
- Remove carefully & allow to cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour.
- Serve hot or store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Products I love when making dulce de leche…
This slow cooker caramel recipe is SUPER EASY and delicious – and if you’re like me this time of year, then you maybe already have some of these items on hand OR maybe you have never made homemade caramel in the slow cooker before, & you might be a bit nervous – but you’re going to love it. I have made a list below of the things I absolutely can’t live without when it comes to making this caramel recipe.
If you love this Easy slow cooker caramel recipe, you’re going to love these other easy recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!
Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche
If you love this recipe for Dulce de Leche as much as I do, please write a five-star review, and be sure to help me share on Facebook and Pinterest!
CONNECT WITH YUMMI HAUS!
Be sure to follow me on my social media, so you never miss a post!
Crock Pot Dulce de Leche
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Transfer the sweetened condensed milk into a canning jar and place the lid on tightly.
- Place the jar in the slow cooker & cover with water.
- Cook on high 4-6 hours or until it becomes the desired color you are after.
- Remove carefully & allow to cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour.
- Serve hot or store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate. Please double-check with your own dietary calculator for the best accuracy. We at Yummi Haus cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.
Monica says
Did you not realize that evaporated milk is dairy, and its not safe to can dairy? Please adjust your recipe accordingly…..try freezing it for long-term storage.
Gina Kleinworth says
Thank you for your comment Monica. I did not state that this recipe could be stored un-refrigerated as this is not a recipe for canning the sweetened condensed milk/ caramel. The water is for cooking it in the crock pot to turn it into caramel- one could also cook for less time in boiling water on the stove top. Recipe clearly states that it should be stored refrigerated. Freezing is an option but we definitely use it too fast for needing to do that. I usually make it as needed.
Nici says
Oh, my yumminess! I have made this by boiling the cans in a pot for several hours, but something just feels wrong about it, even though it tasted amazing. I like your method a lot better. I’ll be trying this soon! I’d love for you to link this up to our All Things Thursday Blog Hop that’s going on right now. I hope to see you there!
Blessings,
Nici
Lauren @ Imperfect & Fabulous says
This looks so good and easy!
Lauren @ imperfectandfabulous.blogspot.com/
Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats says
Crazy how stinking easy this is Gina! Great recipe, my husband loves Dulce de Leche and sweetened condensed milk so basically you might have become his new best friend. 🙂 Pinning and can’t wait to try it girl! 🙂
mary buchanan says
I’ve never made Dulce de Lecheso I’m sorry if this is a stupid question… the sugar in the milk carmalizes? And that’s it? Omy omy omy! How wonderful is this?
Gina Kleinworth says
Hi Mary- yes- the translation is Milk Caramel- so it’s caramelized sweet milk. Or a thicker caramel- very tasty. Hope you try it.