This homemade caramel is so easy, delicious, and can be used in various ways. If caramel has always seemed like something you would never make yourself, you’ve haven’t see how easily you can make it in the Instant Pot.
Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make dulce de leche in the Instant Pot, you need the following ingredients: 1 can (14 ounces) of sweetened condensed milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
How to Make Dulce de Leche
- To start, make sure to take of the paper label and lid from the can of condensed milk. Cover the top of the can with foil. Please remember to remove the metal lid first!
- Place your trivet inside of the Instant Pot and place the foil-wrapped can of condensed milk on top of the trivet. Carefully pour in enough water on the side of the can so that the can is submerged in the water halfway up. You can add another can and cook two at the same time. Your cooking time will be the same whether you have 1 or 2 cans.
- Put your lid on and push the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button and cook for 40 minutes. When it is done turn your knob to “Venting” and when the pressure is out, carefully remove the can from the pot. Let it rest on a hot pad on your counter. Carefully remove the foil and let cool for 20 minutes.
- Once you have let it cool for the 20 minutes, add in the vanilla extract right into the can and stir for 2 minutes. Keep stirring! It will be lumpy and first then turn smoothe. The can might still be hot so you can easily use a hot pot to hold onto the can so you can stir easier.
Recipe Notes
When you first start to stir the caramel, it’s normal for it to have a lumpy consistency. Simply keep stirring until it become smooth and creamy. Also, you can store the caramel in an air-tight container in the fridge for later use. It won’t harden, but it will be a thick, creamy consistency.
Never, never, never try to make this with the lid still on the can! Putting a sealed can under pressure in the Instant Pot is dangerous. Please, be safe. Remove the lid before covering with foil.
How to Use Your Caramel
The number of ways to use this Instant Pot Caramel are almost limitless. Here are a few of our ideas, but share yours in the comments:
- Apples: Slice your favorite variety of apples and serve with the caramel to dip.
- Ice cream: Drizzle your caramel on your favorite bowl of ice cream.
- Brownies: Brownies aren’t allowed in my house unless theirs caramel to add on top.
- Pretzels: Salty pretzels are always a great choice for dipping in caramel. Spoons work, too, when pretzels are in short supply.
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Dulce De Leche Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk, 1 can
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- To start, make sure to take of the paper label and lid from the can of condensed milk. Cover the top of the can with foil. Please remember to remove the metal lid first!
- Place your trivet inside of the Instant Pot and place the foil-wrapped can of condensed milk on top of the trivet. Carefully pour in enough water on the side of the can so that the can is submerged in the water halfway up. You can add another can and cook two at the same time. Your cooking time will be the same whether you have 1 or 2 cans.
- Put your lid on and push the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button and cook for 40 minutes. When it is done turn your knob to "Venting" and when the pressure is out, carefully remove the can from the pot. Let it rest on a hot pad on your counter. Carefully remove the foil and let cool for 20 minutes.
- Once you have let it cool for the 20 minutes, add in the vanilla extract right into the can and stir for 2 minutes. Keep stirring! It will be lumpy and first then turn smoothe. The can might still be hot so you can easily use a hot pot to hold onto the can so you can stir easier.
Notes
Nutrition
Video
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
Scale of 1-10 how bad if I forgot to put the trivet????
How and how long do you recommend storing this homemade carmel? Does is need to be refrigerated? If so, how do you recommend reheating it? TIA!
This will store in your fridge for a long time. Probably longer than it will take you to eat it all. Just reheat it slowly in the microwave if it becomes too thick.
I have been wanting to make my caramel (as we call it in South Africa) in my pressure cooker for the longest time… and been too scared because i didn’t know how. This recipe is AMAZING… As it cools down it is much easier to make it nice and smooth.. 10 out of 10!!! Thank you very much for sharing this “How to”
Hi Lindi. We are so glad you love this easy version in the Instant Pot.
I love this recipe it is so easy and tasty.
I just found this one. I’m anxious to try it and maybe use it in chocolate covered caramel candies. I want to make those and this seems a little thicker so it wouldn’t run all out when you take a bite. That’s my hope anyway 🙂
Can you do this in the oven?
This recipe is for the Instant Pot.
I love this way of preparing dulce de leche! It’s so fast and it’s the perfect topping for my caramel cake. You could also put it on ice cream, brownies, anything you want to add a little touch of sweetness to!
I made this and covered the can with foil, which was fine, but my sister makes this all the time and pours the mik into a mason jar with lid/ring. Easier cleanup and works just fine.