Instant Pot Dolce de Leche is something I have wanted to try for a while, and I finally got around to making some. I now ask myself, why have I not been making this all along? It is incredibly easy to make with almost no effort, and Dulce De Leche is amazing in so many recipes or just slathered on an English muffin for breakfast. I want to use this South American specialty of caramelized milk in my fall baking this year, and this is the start of a beautiful friendship.
All you need is an Instant Pot and a can of sweetened condensed milk. You can actually cook up to five cans at once and store them at room temperature unopened for months, making this a no-brainer to have on hand. Just make sure there are no defects to the can, as a leak can be dangerous. Cooking Dulce de Leche the old-fashioned way takes 4-5 hours of stirring on a stovetop and can be labor intensive, but using an Instant pot takes all the work out of it. If you are in a hurry, you can have it done in an hour and a half or so, but I learned that since it is in a sealed can, you can set your Instant pot to cook and then let it do its thing and forget about it until hours later and have the same results. I have even done it overnight, making it very versatile.
Dulce de Leche in most of South and Latin America or Manjar in Chile, Argentina, Peru, and Ecuador is a main ingredient is desserts. This thick creamy caramelized milk can be used for everything from fillings for cakes and cookies or even warmed up and poured over pancakes and waffles. It is incredible slathered on biscuits and English muffins. It’s even tasty on crackers! I still fondly remember when I got to go to Chile, and almost all their pastries had Manjar (Dulce de Leche) as a part of them. I was particularly fond of a croissant-like pastry stuffed with Manjar, which I found in Santiago and was addictive.
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can find one here on Amazon or in many different department stores. (I get a tiny commission if you use the link at no cost to you.) I have found many incredible uses for mine and think everyone should have one in their kitchen. I have posted many recipes using this fabulous gadget before, including these Amazing Ribs, and it makes the Best Bone Broth ever!
Ok, that is all for this week. I hope you are all staying safe and healthy out there. Please think of others in your choices. Together we can all get through these times better than by ourselves. Until next time!
Dulce De Leche is incredibly easy in an Instant Pot
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk. You can cook up to 5 at a time.
- Water
- A steamer basket or trivet that fits into your Instant pot
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Remove the label and any glue left on the can. I scrub it under hot water to make sure it is clean. If you have any glue left, it will stick to the sides of your instant pot. Make sure there are no dents or flaws in the can, it can be dangerous if there is a leak.
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Place the can or up to five cans on a trivet in the instant pot.
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Fill the Instant pot to the max line with water, do not go over the max fill line.
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Close the instant pot and set it to high pressure for 40 minutes.
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Let the instant pot get up to pressure and cook.
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Once the instant pot has finished cooking, let it sit to naturally release pressure for 45 minutes, then open and let the can cool in the water until room temperature.
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Or alternatively, let it sit unsealed for several hours or even overnight (you could even set the Instant Pot to cook when you go to bed and wake up to Dolce de Leche in the morning.
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Once cooled to room temperature, you can use it right away or store it unopened in your pantry or cupboard until you need some. If you store it, remember to write a label and date with a sharpie.
