• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
OMGfood logo
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Blogger Resources
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Blogger Resources
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Dulce de Leche

    Dulce de Leche

    Published: Sep 20, 2016 · Last updated: Jan 7, 2018 by Marissa · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    202 shares
    • 4
    Jump to Recipe

    Dulce de leche is a creamy caramel sauce made from simmering milk and sugar.

    Closeup of a jar of dulce de leche.

    It's sugar time, friends. Dulce de leche is one of my many weaknesses when it comes to sweets. I love it by the spoonful, over ice cream, in a cake - you name it. So many noms. <3

    If you're not familiar, dulce de leche is a milk-based caramel-like sauce, made by combining milk and sugar and simmering for a couple of hours on the stove.

    I needed some dulce de leche for another recipe coming this week and was planning to go with store-bought to keep it simple. It turns out, none of the stores I went to wanted to have it in stock, which was a little surprising because I'm usually able to find it pretty easily. I considered it a challenge accepted and decided to make it instead. Making the sauce is actually pretty easy, but it takes a little bit of time and patience. Also, occasional stirring. The recipe I'm sharing with you today is slightly adapted from Alton Brown.

    How to Make Dulce de Leche

    Sugar in a saucepan.

    You need milk, sugar, vanilla, and baking soda. Start by combining the first three ingredients in a saucepan and put it on the stove over medium heat. Stir it occasionally until the sugar has dissolved; this should take 3-5 minutes. Then add in the baking soda and stir to combine.

    Let the mixture come to a gentle simmer and reduce the heat to low. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally for one and a half to two hours. The color will darken overtime. As it's becoming more of a darker caramel color, stir more frequently to avoid burning and skim off any foam from the top.

    Dulce de leche in a saucepan.

    The sauce is ready when a dark caramel color is reached and is reduced to about a cup of sauce. Remove from heat and transfer to a jar with a tight lid. Let it cool slightly before placing in the fridge.

    I recommend eating it by the spoonful for sure.

    A spoon drizzling dulce de leche into a jar.

    Dulce de Leche | omgfood.com

    Dulce de Leche

    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
    Servings: 1 cup
    Author: Marissa

    Ingredients

    • 1 quart whole milk
    • 1 ¼ cup sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda

    Instructions

    • Add the milk, sugar, and vanilla to a medium saucepan and place on the stove over medium heat.
    • Stir occasionally until the sugar has dissolved, about five minutes. Then, stir in the baking soda.
    • Bring to a gentle simmer (don't let it boil over) and reduce the heat to low.
    • Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Over time, the mixture will darken and become thicker. Stir more frequently in the last twenty minutes to avoid any burning and skim off any foam from the top.
    • Remove from heat when the mixture is a dark caramel color and has reduced to about a cup.
    • Let cool slightly and transfer to a jar with a tight lid.
    • Store in the refrigerator for up to four weeks.
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @omgfoodblog and hashtag it #omgfoodblog!

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you make a purchase through them. By purchasing through these links, you are helping support this site at no extra cost to you! I only recommend items and services I personally use and love.

    Pinterest banner for dulce de leche.

    YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

    • Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Dulce de Leche FillingPumpkin Whoopie Pies with Dulce de Leche Filling
    • Olive Oil Fudge BrowniesOlive Oil Fudge Brownies
    • Homemade Marshmallow SauceHomemade Marshmallow Sauce
    • Dorie Greenspan's Swedish Visiting Cake BarsDorie Greenspan's Swedish Visiting Cake Bars
    • Trini Kurma Recipe + Tasty Adventures to Store Bay and Shore ThingsTrini Kurma Recipe + Tasty Adventures to Store Bay and Shore Things
    • Pasta with Goat Cheese, Tomatoes, and Crispy GarlicPasta with Goat Cheese, Tomatoes, and Crispy Garlic
    • Lemon Cardamom Sugar CookiesLemon Cardamom Sugar Cookies
    • Puff Pastry Pizza with Caramelized Onions, Mushrooms, and MascarponePuff Pastry Pizza with Caramelized Onions, Mushrooms, and Mascarpone
    « Blueberry Yogurt Parfait
    Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Dulce de Leche Filling »
    Never miss a recipe. Sign up for my weekly email and get new updates straight to your inbox. | omgfood.com

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. trbltzr says

      February 19, 2017 at 10:59 pm

      Hi. Is it really necessary to skim off the froth/foam on top?

      Reply
      • Marissa @ OMGfood says

        February 26, 2017 at 10:15 pm

        Hi! Sorry for the delayed reply! To be honest, I haven't experimented making this without skimming off the foam, though I was told leaving it in could affect the consistency of the dulce de leche.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    I'm Marissa, a loud Greek from Boston. My obsessions are food, dogs, video games, music, and Bob's Burgers. Read More →

    Featured image: Close up of eggplant and rice in a bowl with a pan of casserole in the background.

    One Pot Greek Eggplant and Rice

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Marissa
    • Privacy Policy
    • FAQ

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates!

    Get in Touch

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 OMGfood