Homemade Dulce de Leche

To make homemade dulce de leche, simply place a can of sweetened condensed milk on its side in a large pot filled with water, ensuring it's fully submerged. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 2 hours. Make sure to keep the can submerged by adding hot water as needed. Once done, carefully remove the can and let it cool completely before opening.

While sweetened condensed milk is the traditional ingredient for making dulce de leche, you can use evaporated milk as a substitute. However, you will need to add sugar to the evaporated milk to achieve the desired sweetness and caramel flavor. The cooking process remains the same.

To store homemade dulce de leche, transfer it to an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator. It can last for up to a month. If you find it too thick for spreading, you can soften it by warming it gently in the top half of a double boiler.

Homemade dulce de leche pairs wonderfully with a variety of desserts. You can drizzle it over ice cream, use it as a filling for cakes or pastries, or mix it into brownies for an extra layer of flavor. It's also delicious when spread on toast or pancakes!

Yes, homemade dulce de leche is gluten-free as it is made from sweetened condensed milk, which does not contain gluten. However, always check the labels of the ingredients you use to ensure they are certified gluten-free, especially if you have severe gluten sensitivities.