I'm sure you've seen many people in the blogosphere making dulce de leche (pronounced [DUEL-say deh LEH-chay] based on U.S. English pronunciation) by boiling or baking condensed milk. I'm sure you've also heard the warnings they've made about the chance of the can exploding when boiling condensed milk. In order to simplify things, I decided to try making dulce de leche via a crock pot or slow cooker. I searched online to see if this was feasible, and it was.So, the night before I needed the dulce de leche, I placed the can in the crockpot (place a can on top of a saucer to avoid getting a ring at the bottom), filled it with water until it covered the can, turned the crockpot on low (high if you have an older crockpot, or if it tends to run a true low), set the timer for 8 hours, and went to sleep. I woke up, turned off the crockpot, and allowed the water and can to cool. Then, I poured out the water and opened the can. After getting over my amazement, I started taking photos of my newly-acquired dulce de leche to share with you all.
So, if you don't feel like paying a few extra cents for already-made dulce de leche, try making it in a crockpot. The process is a lot less dangerous and worry-free. I didn't get any decent photos of the apple pie I made with this dulce de leche, but you can see beautiful photos of it here. *UPDATE* Also, you can see additional photos of the dulce de leche apple pie and the source of my new go-to pie crust here and here.
Here is a small snapshot of my pie at night. This was my first attempt at making a classic, lattice top apple pie!
What a great idea! I've been scared to try it the traditional way, but would definitely be willing to try this. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletetks for sharing this tip, looks like a great idea.
ReplyDeleteBravo- looks so delicious.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. Now I know what it looks like and how to do it. I've heard so much abt this dulce de leche, but not knowing how or what about it.
ReplyDeleteOMgosh, thank you so much for posting this!!!!! I need to make dulce de leche to send for a friend's birthday but didn't think I would have the time to keep an eye on the pot for the few hours it takes. This is the perfect solution! So the water level doesn't lower during the eight hours? Oh, I updated my post with better pics of that dulce de leche pie b/c I made it again for a dinner party. This time I drizzled some dulce de leche over the top, which I think made it prettier: http://reciperhapsody.wordpress.com/2009/11/14/dulce-de-leche-apple-pie/
ReplyDeleteGood job on doing your first lattice-top crust!
P.S. I love the new look of your blog!!
ReplyDeleteNow that is easy. I'm going to have to give it a try. I'm assuming I could put the slow cooker on high and just cook it for four hours? My slow cooker doesn't have a timer feature.
ReplyDeleteMerry belated Christmas and Happy New Year!
~ingrid
You're welcome, everyone! I was happy to found out about this tip as well.
ReplyDeleteVeronica -
1. No, the water level never lowered for me. I filled up the cooker up to the highest line possible, and it appeared to stay at the same or at a similar level the next day.
2. The new pics are awesome! I updated my post to include not only the post about the pie, but also the awesome pie crust recipe. It is now my go-to recipe.
3. Thanks for your comment about the new look. I was wondering if it was satisfactory to others or not.
Ingrid - I don't know if it would work on high for four hours, but since that is usually how it works with other foodstuffs, it should come out fine. Please tell me if that worked out for you. It would be great to shorten the time for those who need it.
This is AWESOME. I've messed around with it on my stove and it's fine, but this is so much better. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI've made dulce de leche but always boiled it in a pot. I'll have to try the crock pot method since this is the second blog I've seen it on.
ReplyDeleteI'm so making this!!!! How long does this last in another container?
ReplyDeletelove this post! did you have it on low? how did you know it was done other than opening the can?
ReplyDeleteok, i am not used to the term crock pot...what i can use in place of it, or what it is exactly, something similar to pressure cooker, i have to to make this asap. thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteSadly, this method didn't work for me. After 8 hours of slow-cooking on low, it yielded a very lightly tan sweetened condensed milk that didn't taste caramelized at all. I think this is due to my crock pot being old and perhaps cooks at a heat that is too low for this purpose. I don't think I'll try it again, even with my smaller, brand-new crockpot, b/c I don't like the rust on the can that the slow-cooking creates. I'll just continue cooking it on the stove, despite the fear it puts in me--lol!
ReplyDeleteOh, no!! I'm so sorry it didn't work for you. Since you have an old crockpot, maybe it would work on high instead of low. I didn't get a ring on the bottom of my crockpot, but in order to remedy that, you could place the can on top of a saucer. I hope you do get to try this out again; it really does work and is convenient and less dangerous than the other method. Keep me posted if you ever decide to try it again.
ReplyDeleteI am so trying this tonight. Never thought about doing it in that.
ReplyDeleteThank you SO SO SO SO much!! I'm going to try this right now!!
ReplyDeleteWow dulde de leche in crockpot and made in a can! I am Mexican and we call this cajeta( I know it's a slang in some other latin countries :) ) I always make my from scratch using milk but I have heard of making it from a can of condensed milk but never sounded as easy as your recipe :)
ReplyDeleteNo Brasil (falamos português!) nós cozinhamos em 'panela de pressão' por apenas 20min . Se você cozinhar por 40 minutos ele pode ser cortado em fatias e servido junto com uma fatia queijo branco, é uma sobremesa tradicional brasileira.
ReplyDeleteSó deve-se abrir a lata quando estiver completamente fria, cozinhe antes de dormir e abra pela manhã e não precisa ter medo! Se optar fatiar abra a lata nas duas extremidades e empurre suavemente com uma colher.
Para ter mais segurança com a panela de pressão é só colocar no fogo mínimo assim que ela começar a ferver, todos cozinham com essa panela no Brasil e com precauções, não é perigoso. A lata de leite condensado não explode, estando a lata quente o doce vai espirrar por causa da pressão do doce ainda quente.
Me desculpe meu péssimo inglês! Eu adorei o site!
In Brazil, we cook in 'pressure cooker' for only 20 minutes. If you cook for 40 minutes it can be sliced and served with a slice of white cheese, is a traditional Brazilian dessert.
You only have to open the can when it is completely cold, cook it before bed and open in the morning and not be afraid! If you choose to slice open the can on both ends and push gently with a spoon.
To have more security with the pressure cooker is just set on fire at least once it starts to boil, cook with all this pot in Brazil and with precautions, it is not dangerous. The condensed milk can not explode, the can being hot candy will sneeze because of the pressure of candy is still hot.
Sorry my bad English! I loved the site!
Sissy (sissyinsan@gmail,com)
Doce de leite.... Put condensed milk can completely submerged inside pressure cooker for 15-20 minutes. cool before opening. A Brazilian favourite. Done it 100's of times. If there was 'an explosion' it's contained and doesn't splatter the ceiling. 8 hours is way too long to wait, LOL.
ReplyDeleteDo you think this would work with ff condensed milk? It's what I have in the cabinet. Also, what constitutes an "old" crockpot?
ReplyDeleteI have known this for years you can do it on the stove and boil it for four hours
ReplyDeleteis this condensed milk? or is it the sweetened condensed milk? I would luv to try this. Also, my crock pot is the Hamilton Beach set and forget, what setting should I cook with on my crock pot?? I'm not sure since some people are saying High and some people say Low.
ReplyDelete1. Sweetened condensed milk
ReplyDelete2. I think I used the high setting
Good luck!
looks like you can add another link to your "recognition" page: http://pintester.com/2012/07/crockpot-dulce-de-leche/ felicidades, memoria!
ReplyDeleteIt looks delicious, but I would never cook something in a can lined with BPA! Wish I could find a non BPA can.
ReplyDeleteJust wondering if this can be done with fat free sweetened condensed milk?
ReplyDelete