Description
Sweet dulce de leche caramel reveals Argentina’s culinary heritage in a simple, creamy delight. Home cooks can effortlessly create this golden treat with minimal ingredients and basic kitchen skills.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 can (14 oz / 396 g) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 large pot
- 1 heat-safe glass jar or baking dish
- 1 pinch salt (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C) and select a glass or ceramic loaf pan.
- Milk Transfer: Pour sweetened condensed milk into the loaf pan, spreading evenly across the bottom.
- Sealing and Water Bath: Cover pan tightly with aluminum foil, then place inside a larger roasting pan. Fill roasting pan with hot water halfway up the loaf pan’s sides.
- Baking Process: Slide nested pans into preheated oven and bake for 60-70 minutes, monitoring water level periodically to maintain consistent depth.
- Cooling and Texture Development: Remove pans using heat-resistant mitts and let dulce de leche cool at room temperature for 1-2 hours, allowing caramelization to stabilize.
- Finishing and Storage: Whisk the caramelized milk until smooth, then transfer to a clean glass jar with a secure lid. Refrigerate for up to one week, ready to enhance desserts or serve as a standalone treat.
Notes
- Monitor Water Levels: Check water bath consistently during baking to prevent scorching and ensure even caramelization of condensed milk.
- Choose Right Bakeware: Use glass or ceramic loaf pan to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning or uneven caramel texture.
- Watch Caramelization Color: Golden to deep amber indicates perfect dulce de leche; darker colors mean potential bitterness or burnt flavor.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow complete cooling at room temperature to stabilize caramel’s consistency and develop rich, smooth texture before whisking and storing.
- Prep Time: 9 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 50 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg