Dulce de leche is a typical sweet sauce prepared from sweetened condensed milk. It has a rich, sweet flavor and a smooth, creamy texture, similar to caramel. It is used in a variety of desserts and pastries as a spread, filling, or topping. It can also be used to sweeten coffee, tea, and hot chocolate.
Dulce de leche is available in supermarkets, but it is also easy to make at home with sweetened condensed milk and an Instant Pot. This guide will show you to make dulce de leche in an Instant Pot, as well as how to use it and store it properly.
Instant Pot Condensed Milk Dulce De Leche
You can prepare your own dulce de leche if you have a sweet tooth by utilizing sweetened condensed milk. You may also prepare dulce de leche in your Instant Pot if you don’t have any sweetened condensed milk.
To make a delectable dessert, adhere to the directions below. Here’s a simple Instant Pot recipe for dulce de leche made from condensed milk:
Ingredients:
- One can of sweetened condensed milk
- Water
Instructions:
- Remove the can of condensed milk’s label and place it in the Instant Pot.
- Pour water into the Instant Pot to cover the can of condensed milk.
- Set the Instant Pot to manual mode, high pressure, for 30 minutes.
- When the cooking time is up, use the natural release method to relieve the pressure.
- Remove the can from the Instant Pot with care and set it aside for a few minutes before opening it.
- The condensed milk will have turned into dulce de leche. Stir well and use as needed.
Note: If you prefer a richer and darker dulce de leche, cook it for 45-60 minutes, but check the water level and make sure the can is well submerged.
How to Use Sweetened Condensed Milk?
A great way to employ sweetened condensed milk, a common component in many desserts, is to make dulce de leche. This tasty caramel sauce is adaptable and goes well with ice cream, bread pudding, and coffee.
It is frequently found in the traditional sweet sweets from South America and is also used to produce frostings and creams.
Condensed milk should be first added to a small oven-safe dish to make dulce de leche. After that, put the dish in a roasting pan that has water in it up to halfway. Bake for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the milk is thick like syrup. After straining, put the mixture in an airtight container. If properly stored, it can last up to 3 weeks.
For this recipe, you can use either an 8-inch cake pan or a 9-inch pie pan. Since they are heavier and won’t float in water, you may alternatively use a ceramic or glass baking dish. The milk can be transferred to a bowl and baked in the oven once it reaches the proper consistency and color.
Making dulce de leche at home with sweetened condensed milk is an excellent method to save on paying full price for it. Additionally, you can alter the condensed milk’s sweetness to make it taste whichever you choose.
With canned condensed milk, you can even prepare your own dulce de leche, which you can then include in a number of desserts.
How to Use the Instant Pot to Make Dulce De Leche from Condensed Milk?
You can use your Instant Pot in a very straightforward manner. Stir in some sweetened condensed milk and set the pressure to high. The dulce de leche is ready to serve after around 35 minutes of this process! It can also be preserved for up to two weeks in a sealed container.
Produce sure to read the directions before using the Instant Pot to make dulce de leche. Make sure the surface is clean first. Not wanting the contents to spill is a must.
Next, add water to the jar until it is about halfway full, leaving about an inch to an inch and a half at the top of the lid. Set the jars aside to cool once they are entirely filled.
Condensed and sweetened condensed milk can also be used to make dulce de leche in your Instant Pot. Water and condensed milk are the two essential ingredients. You can buy a ready-made recipe or use the condensed milk from a can.
Ensure that you only use sealed, dent-free cans. Add water to the Instant Pot to cover the bottom half of the can before beginning to produce dulce de leche.
The Instant Pot may also be used to prepare dulce de leche in a slow cooker. The 6-quart model is appropriate for this procedure. Three small ramekins, mason jars, or condensed milk cans can fit within the six-quart Instant Pot. To lift the can off the bottom of the Pot, you can also use the trivet that is included with the Instant Pot.
How to Make Dulce De Leche without Using Sweetened Condensed Milk?
Using the Instant Pot is a fantastic alternative if you want a different approach to creating dulce de leche. Usually, to make this delectable dish, milk is simmered in an Instant Pot. Translated, dulce de leche refers to milk-based confections. You can make this recipe without the sweetener if you don’t want to use sweetened condensed milk.
Condensed milk must be cooked for up to three hours when using the conventional method. The cooking time will be less than one hour if the Instant Pot is used. Plus, you won’t need to keep an eye on the procedure. You’ll have a liquid that is rich and caramelly and ideal for a number of dishes.
Put the dulce de leche in an airtight container as soon as it’s finished cooking. If properly stored, it lasts up to three days. A glass jar can also be used to keep it. Simply use the Instant Pot as a slow cooker rather than a conventional pot if you want to prepare dulce de leche without sweetened condensed milk.
Always use a container designed for canning when making dulce de leche. Glass jars that are thinner won’t withstand the pressure of the Instant Pot very well.
Additionally, after adding the sweetened condensed milk, don’t forget to clean the jar. Otherwise, the drips will burn and cook more quickly. Make sure the lid is finger-tight as well.
What is its Flavor?
Dulce de leche has a smooth and creamy texture with a rich, sweet, caramel-like flavor. It tastes similar to caramel but has a deeper and more nuanced flavor from the milk. The milk’s natural acidity balances out the sweetness, giving it a mildly acidic flavor that distinguishes it from caramel.
The texture is thicker and creamier than caramel, and the mouthfeel is more velvety. It is frequently described as having a sweet, rich, and creamy flavor with caramel and vanilla undertones.
The flavor profile of dulce de leche varies based on the recipe and the cooking procedure, but it is typically regarded as a delectable and tempting sweet sauce.
What are the Applications of Dulce De Leche?
Dulce de leche, a sweet caramel-like sauce, has numerous applications and can be used in both sweet and savory meals. Among the most common applications are:
- As a filling or spread for pastries, including croissants, cakes, and cookies.
- Serve with ice cream, pancakes, or waffles.
- As a crepe or French toast filling.
- As a topping for fruits like apples and bananas.
- As a filling for cheesecake and other pastries.
- As a garnish with porridge or yogurt.
- As a sauce for meats such as pig or chicken.
- As a condiment for sandwiches, particularly Cuban sandwiches.
- As a chocolate and truffle filling.
- For a sweet spread on toast or bagels, combine with cream cheese.
Dulce de leche can also be used as a basis for various desserts, such as flan, and as a wonderful sweetener in coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
How Should it be Stored?
Dulce de leche can be kept fresh and long-lasting in a variety of methods. Here are several possibilities:
- Refrigeration: Dulce de leche can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. Because it thickens as it cools, you may need to reheat it slightly before using it.
- Freezing: Dulce de leche can be frozen for up to 6 months in an airtight jar in the freezer. It will need to be thawed before use, and it may become thicker during the process.
- Canning: To extend the shelf life of dulce de leche, it can be canned in a water bath. If stored in a cold, dark place, this approach will last for up to a year.
When preserving dulce de leche, it is critical to keep it in an airtight container to prevent oxidation and contamination from other food aromas. When you use it, make careful to thoroughly stir it because the high sugar content and high temperature at which it was cooked may result in a separate consistency.
Conclusion
Dulce de leche is a delectable and versatile sweet sauce that may be used in both sweet and savory dishes. It’s simple to make at home with an Instant Pot and sweetened condensed milk. It can be stored in the fridge, freezer, or canned in a water bath to preserve freshness and lifespan. When storing dulce de leche, use an airtight container and stir it thoroughly before using it to ensure a homogeneous consistency.
