Instant Pot Dulce de Leche

Name: Instant Pot Dulce de Leche
Prep time: 1 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 46 min
Ingredients: 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

Instant Pot dulce de leche recipe takes sweetened condensed milk and transforms it into rich and creamy caramel. The pressure cooker speeds up the process so that the dulce de leche can be made in less than an hour.

A golden spoon dipping up dulce de leche from a glass jar.

Dulce de leche is a rich and creamy caramel sauce. It’s a simple, one ingredient recipe that is a snap to make.

This method shortens the cooking time for making dulce de leche by using the Instant Pot pressure cooker instead of the stove top or a slow cooker. So you can enjoy this delicious caramel in less time!

How to make dulce de leche in the Instant Pot

A can of sweetened condensed milk with the label removed.

Step 1: Remove the label and the adhesive from the can of sweetened condensed milk.

Step 2: Place a trivet in the bottom of your Instant Pot inner pot.

Step 3: Set the can of sweetened condensed milk on top of your trivet.

Water pouring over a can and into an instant pot inner pot.

Step 4: Fill your Instant Pot inner pot with enough water to cover the entire can.

Top tip >> If you place the can so that it’s lying down on the trivet, you can use less water.

Step 5: Close and lock the lid. Turn the pressure release valve to sealing.

Step 6: Cook on Manual High pressure for 35 minutes.

Step 7: When the cooking cycle is complete, do a quick release and carefully release the steam. Unlock and remove the lid.

A cooked can of sweetened condensed milk on a wire trivet.

Step 8: Carefully remove the can with tongs. It will be very, very hot.

Dulce de leche in an aluminum can with the lid open.

Step 9: Let it cool completely before opening the can.

Step 10: Once cool, open the can and pour into an airtight container.

Top tip >> It’s important to allow the can to completely cool down before opening so it remains silky and darkens a bit more.

A jar of dulce de leche and a silver spoon on a wooden cutting board.

Tips

Check the can: Check the check for dents and dings before using. You won’t want to use a dented can in this recipe.
Remove the label: It’s important to remove the label and adhesive so that it doesn’t leave residue in the inner pot.
Caution: This is one recipe that you’ll want to take extra caution with. The can will be incredibly hot when the cooking cycle finishes, so please be very careful when removing the can from the hot water.

Two cans of sweetened condensed milk covered with water in an Instant Pot.

Recipe FAQs

Can I cook more than one can at a time?

You can! You can lay two cans on their sides on the trivet. Just make sure that both cans are completely covered by the water.

Does it matter which brand of sweetened condensed milk I use?

No, it doesn’t matter. You may find that you prefer one brand or another, so feel free to experiment.

Can I use evaporated milk?

No, evaporated milk won’t work in this recipe as it doesn’t have the necessary sweetness.

A gold spoon in a jar of dulce de leche next to cookies.

Ways to use dulce de leche

Dulce de leche can be used similarly to caramel sauce, but it has a thicker consistency. It makes a great dip for apples, can be drizzled over ice cream, and makes a delicious topping for desserts like cheesecake and brownies.

Drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or crepes for a special breakfast treat, or sprinkle it with a bit of sea salt and eat it with a spoon.

It also makes a delicious filling for cookies like alfajores and for cakes.

Overhead photo of a jar of dulce de leche next to a row of cookies.

Storage

Pour the dulce de leche into an airtight container, like a jar, and store in the refrigerator.

It will keep for about a week, but it’s best eaten within a few days.