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Dulce de Leche (Confiture de Lait): Milk Caramel Recipe

Prep5 min
Cook1h 45min
Total1h 50min
Yield6 portions
LevelIntermediate
 
 
Dulce de leche or Confiture de lait
About This Recipe

Learn how to make dulce de leche, also called confiture de lait, by slowly caramelizing sweetened milk into a smooth, rich spread. Includes texture, colour and safe handling tips.

Scale This Recipe

Servings

Ingredients

Units
Yield: 1.5 cup
  • 1 liter whole milk
  • 7.8 ounces sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 0.5 vanilla pod, — split in half lengthwise
  • 0.25 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. 1
    Add milk, sugar, honey, and salt into a large pot. Leave a few inches between the level of the milk and the top of the pot. Cut the vanilla pod lengthwise and scrape the seeds. Add everything to the pot.
  2. 2
    Heat the pot on medium-high, and continuously stir until the milk is boiling. Reduce the heat and leave the liquid to for 1.5 hours. Make sure that it is just simmering. It is best to be on, that is too low than too high. If the heat is too low, it will take more time.
  3. 3

    After simmering, remove the vanilla pod and stir the milk regularly. Keep an eye on the pot as the milk will reduce quite a lot. You don't want to have a skin forming at the top. After 15 minutes, constantly and let the milk reduce until you reach the you are looking for. The mixture should nicely coat the back of a wooden spoon.

  4. 4
    Remove from the heat, pour into small jars and let cool. When it is completely cooled down, put the lid on and store in the fridge.
  5. 5
    As the Dulce de leche cools down, its consistency will thicken.
Techniques in this recipe
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Tools Used in This Recipe

KitchenAid
Immersion Blender
Victorinox
8" Chef's Knife
All-Clad
Heavy-Bottom Stock Pot
Chef's Notes

Taste as you build this dish and adjust the seasoning at each stage — that habit alone will improve almost anything you cook. You'll find techniques like this one across our full course library.

If you'd ever like hands-on guidance for your own kitchen or restaurant, I also offer 1-on-1 coaching through OCS, or you can reach me directly for consulting at 911ChefEric.com.

— Chef Eric

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