There’s something magical about turning simple ingredients into a luscious, velvety caramel sauce in just one hour. This Instant Pot Dulce De Leche is a dreamy, golden treat with a rich, buttery flavor and a silky-smooth texture that’s perfect for drizzling, dipping, or spooning straight from the jar. Whether you’re topping desserts, stirring into coffee, or enjoying it by the spoonful, this homemade caramel is pure indulgence.
With its deep caramelized sweetness and creamy consistency, this recipe is a game-changer for anyone who loves dessert shortcuts. The Instant Pot does all the work, delivering a decadent result that’s impossible to resist. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile—use it to elevate cakes, ice cream, or even breakfast treats. Once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
What You’ll Need
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can, remove paper label and metal lid)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (adds a rich flavor to the caramel)
How to Make Instant Pot Dulce De Leche
- Prepare the can: Remove the paper label and metal lid from the can of sweetened condensed milk. Cover the top of the can tightly with foil.
- Set up the Instant Pot: Place the trivet inside the Instant Pot. Put the foil-wrapped can on top of the trivet. Carefully pour in enough water to submerge the can halfway (about 2-3 cups). You can cook 2 cans at once if desired—just ensure they’re both halfway submerged.
- Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid and set it to “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” mode. Cook for 40 minutes on high pressure.
- Release pressure: Once the cooking time is up, carefully turn the knob to “Venting” to release the pressure. Wait until all the pressure is released before opening the lid.
- Cool the can: Use tongs to remove the hot can from the Instant Pot. Place it on a heat-resistant surface or hot pad and let it cool for 20 minutes.
- Add vanilla: Carefully remove the foil and stir in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract directly into the can. Stir continuously for 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy. (Tip: Use a hot pad to hold the can while stirring if it’s still warm.)
- Serve or store: Use immediately as a topping or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Delicious Ways to Use Your Homemade Dulce De Leche
This rich and creamy dulce de leche is incredibly versatile! Drizzle it over ice cream, pancakes, or waffles for a decadent treat. Spread it on toast, muffins, or cookies for a sweet twist. You can also use it as a filling for cakes, pastries, or even dulce de leche brownies. The possibilities are endless!
Storage Tips to Keep Your Caramel Fresh
Once opened, transfer any leftover dulce de leche to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm it in the microwave in 10-second intervals or place the container in a bowl of warm water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Time-Saving Tips for Busy Cooks
If you’re short on time, you can cook the dulce de leche for 30 minutes instead of 40 for a slightly lighter caramel. Alternatively, prepare multiple cans at once—they’ll all cook in the same amount of time! Just make sure the cans are fully submerged halfway in water and placed on the trivet to avoid any mishaps.
Common Questions Answered
Can I use a different brand of condensed milk? Absolutely! Any brand of sweetened condensed milk will work. Just ensure the can is unopened before cooking. Is it safe to cook the can in the Instant Pot? Yes, as long as the can is fully sealed and covered with foil, it’s safe. Always let it cool before opening to avoid burns.
Special Notes for Perfect Dulce De Leche
For a deeper caramel flavor, you can increase the cooking time to 45-50 minutes. Be cautious when handling the hot can—use oven mitts or a towel. If the caramel seems lumpy after stirring, keep mixing! It will smooth out beautifully with a little patience.
Instant Pot Dulce De Leche (Homemade Caramel) Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk 1 can
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- To start, make sure to take of the paper label and lid from the can of condensed milk. Cover the top of the can with foil. Please remember to remove the metal lid first!
- Place your trivet inside of the Instant Pot and place the foil-wrapped can of condensed milk on top of the trivet.
- Carefully pour in enough water on the side of the can so that the can is submerged in the water halfway up. You can add another can and cook two at the same time. Your cooking time will be the same whether you have 1 or 2 cans.
- Put your lid on and push the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button and cook for 40 minutes.
- When it is done turn your knob to “Venting” and when the pressure is out, carefully remove the can from the pot. Let it rest on a hot pad on your counter.
- Carefully remove the foil and let cool for 20 minutes.
- Once you have let it cool for the 20 minutes, add in the vanilla extract right into the can and stir for 2 minutes. Keep stirring! It will be lumpy and first then turn smoothe. The can might still be hot so you can easily use a hot pot to hold onto the can so you can stir easier.