Make Dulce de Leche in Half the Time With This Clever Trick

When you think of leveling up basic foods like pancakes or coffee, whipped cream certainly comes to mind, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon would be delicious. But if you're looking for a new way to boost a dessert or drink with a comforting hit of flavor, adding some dulce de leche will get the job done.

Dulce de leche looks a lot like caramel (and is often mistakenly called caramel, as we do in the video below). Dulce de leche and caramel even have similar tastes and can be interchanged in certain recipes. But dulce de leche is a different food made with different ingredients — sugar and milk for dulce de leche; sugar and water for caramel.

Dulce de leche is one of the most incredible sweets on the planet, and you need to seek some out if you're unfamiliar with the sticky-sweet substance. Luckily, dulce de leche isn't evasive — you can find it in a well-stocked or international grocery store, or you can easily make your own with an ingredient that's probably in your pantry right now: a can of condensed milk.

Traditional dulce de leche can take four hours or more to make. However, with the help of your favorite weeknight time-saving small appliance (hint: a pressure cooker), you can make it in half the time. Grab that condensed milk, some water, and your pressure cooker. It's about to get sweet.

How to Make Dulce de Leche in an Instant Pot

1. To start, set the stainless steel roasting rack inside your pressure cooker, and remove the label from your can of condensed milk.

2. Inspect the can to make sure it doesn't have any dents or signs of damage. If it does, replace it.

3. Lay the can on the rack sideways, and cover with water. Secure the lid and pressure valve.

4. Pressure cook on high for 35 minutes.

5. Let the pressure cooker fully release the steam, and wait 25 to 30 minutes before trying to open the can. Additionally, wear oven mitts or use a towel, and point the can away from you and any people nearby. Try removing the lid over a sink to prevent any burns and potential mess.

If you want a visual representation, watch the video below.

Get the Recipe: Caramel in a Can (Dulce de Leche)

Use your dulce de leche as a dip for fruit, a filling for alfajores, or as a substitute for caramel. It's got a thicker, creamier texture and isn't as sweet, but in most places, it works nicely as a one-for-one replacement.

Store your homemade dulce de leche in an airtight container, such as a glass jar, in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Related:

• These Two-Ingredient Apple Pies Are the Ultimate Easy Fall Dessert
• Our 20 Best Vintage Dessert Recipes of All Time
• 13 Ultra Rich Cakes You Won't Believe Are Made With Mayonnaise