Crock-Pot Dulce de Leche Recipe (2024)

Written by: Crock-Pot Ladies 19 Comments

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Turn a can of sweetened condensed milk into a luscious and silky caramel dip in this easy recipe for Crock-Pot Dulce de Leche! Then dip in some apples.

Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche

I had a friend tell me you could make a fantastic dip this way, but never tried it. I have seen a lot of talk lately on Pinterest about this and decided it was time to try. This was awesome! Literally.

We dipped apples in it, and now I am going to toss popcorn with it and make a great snack!

Equipment Needed For Crock-Pot Dulce de Leche Recipe:

4 Quart, 4.5 Quart, 5 Quart, 5.5 Quart, 6 Quart, 6.5 Quart Or 7 Quart Slow Cooker
Clean Towel Or Paper Towels
Can Opener

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Fat-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk To Make Dulce de Leche?

Yes, you can use fat-free sweetened condensed milk to make this easy slow cooker dulce de leche. If you use fat-free sweetened condensed milk you bring the fat content down to zero grams per serving versus the 4 grams per serving when you use regular full-fat sweetened condensed milk.

How Much Water Do I Need To Use To Cover The Can While Cooking?

The amount of water you will need to use to cover the can of sweetened condensed milk while cooking is going to vary depending on the size and shape of the slow cooker you use. Just add enough water to cover the can completely by at least 1/2 an inch. Because you are going to cook the can in the slow cooker you won’t loose too much water to evaporation, but if you find that your can is no longer covered by water while cooking just go ahead and add more water so that the can is always covered by water.

Can I Make The Dulce de Leche In The Can And Then Store The Can To Use Later?

You can store the finished cooked dulce de leche in the can for up to 6 months. Just make sure the can is fully dried to prevent rusting. Also, because you removed the label from the can prior to cooking you will want to write on the can with a permanent marker what is inside the can and the date that it is best used by (6 months from the date you make it). That way, you are not left guessing what is inside the can when you are looking in your pantry.

What Are Some Uses For The Dulce de Leche?

Here are a few of my favorite ways to use dulce de leche:

– Fruit dip – Apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, pineapple many other types of fresh fruit taste fantastic when dipped in this yummy caramel sauce.
– Spread between cake layers – I love to make a chocolate cake and spread a layer of dulce de leche between the layers. Chocolate and caramel are such a classic combination. Other flavors of cake are great too!
– Sandwich between two cookies – Either store-bought or homemade cookies can be taken to the next level by sandwiching some between two cookies.
– Ice cream topping – Warm up some dulce de leche and drizzle over your favorite ice cream for a caramel ice cream topping.
– Popcorn – Pop up some popcorn in an air popcorn maker and drizzle some warm dulce de leche over the hot popcorn. The result: caramel corn!
– Rice Krispy Treats – Substitute out some or all of the marshmallows in the classic Rice Krispies treat to take them to the next level. I like to add a generous pinch of sea salt to make a salted caramel version!
– Dunk a doughnut – Yep, I said it, take a doughnut to the next level and dunk it into some dulce de leche!
– Waffles, pancakes or crepes – Oh my…heaven. Just spread a little on a hot waffle, pancake or crepe. Add some fresh fruit to make it a little healthier and dig in.

Special Diets

This recipe for Crock-Pot Dulce de Leche is Weight Watchers Friendly on the new Personal Points plan. You can see the WW personal points for this recipe here on the Weight Watchers website. Click here for MORE of our Weight Watchers Recipes

More Crockpot Dips You Need To Try!

Crock-Pot Cowboy Grub

This cheesy Slow Cooker Cowboy Grub dip is loaded with bacon, sausage, tomatoes, chilies, green onions and the perfect spices. Grab some chips and dip on in!

Crock-Pot Chicken Queso Dip

With only 3 ingredients, this super easy Slow Cooker Chicken Queso Dip is super easy to make and will be a huge hit at your next game day party!

Crock-Pot Queso Sausage Dip

Grab your favorite chips, crackers or fresh veggies and dip on into this amazing Slow Cooker Queso Sausage Dip. Your party guests will love this recipe!

Crock-Pot Pulled Pork Cheesy Bacon Dip

Be prepared to have your socks knocked off with this fantasticSlow Cooker Pulled Pork Cheesy Bacon Dip! BBQ pulled pork, cheese & bacon make for a tasty dip!

Recipe Collections:

4 Quart Crock-Pot Recipes
4.5 Quart Crock-Pot Recipes
5 Quart Crock-Pot Recipes
5.5 Quart Crock-Pot Recipes
6 Quart Crock-Pot Recipes
6.5 Quart Crock-Pot Recipes
7 Quart Crock-Pot Recipes
Cinco de Mayo Recipes
Dip Recipes
Fall Recipes
Kid Friendly Crock-Pot Recipes

Crock-Pot Dulce de Leche Recipe

Heidi Kennedy

All you need to make your very own homemade dulce de leche is a can of sweetened condensed milk, water, a slow cooker and some time. The sweetened condensed milk caramelizes right in the can as it cooks. Use as a fruit dip, spread on waffles, fill a cake or cookies, the uses are endless!

4.13 from 41 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Dips

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 8 People

Calories 165 kcal

Ingredients

14 Ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk
Water (Enough To Cover Can In Slow Cooker)

Instructions

Remove the paper label from the can of sweetened condensed milk and discard.
Place entire sealed can of sweetened condensed milk in a 4 quart or larger slow cooker.
Add enough water to the slow cooker to submerge the can complexly under water.
Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on LOW for 8 hours.
Turn slow cooker OFF (or unplug it), remove lid and let the can cool to room temperature in the slow cooker for several hours.
Once can is fully cooled to room temperature, remove can from slow cooker and dry off the water with a clean towel or paper towels.
Open can with a can opener and enjoy!

Notes

Be sure when you purchase your can of sweetened condensed milk that you do not buy a can with a pop-top. While the pop-top on a can is convenient for easy opening it does not hold up well for the slow cooking process of cooking the dulce de leche in the can.
It's important to allow the can of dulche de leche to cool completely in the slow cooker (turned off) until the can is at room temperature before opening the can. Attempting to open the can while it is still hot can cause the can to explode and cause burns. I usually allow the can to cool overnight or at least 6 hours before using.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Rate the recipe and then let us know how it was!