An easy 35-minute Instant Pot Dulce de Leche recipe. This is a 1-ingredient recipe! Sweetened condensed milk is cooked until it becomes a thick and creamy caramel-like indulgence you can use for many dessert recipes.
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Valentina with Valentina’s Corner here. I am really excited to share this recipe with you because it’s a lifesaver. Dulce de leche (cooked condensed milk) was a must-have in my Mother’s kitchen as we used it for many traditional recipes. We always had (and have) a few cans stored in the refrigerator.
Dulce de leche is great in recipes like the easy and traditional Ukrainian Waffle Cake or drizzled into your morning coffee.
What is dulce de leche?
Dulce de leche is incredible. It is basically sweetened condensed milk heated until it thickens and caramelizes. You could sit and eat with a spoon when a dessert craving kicks in. Admit it, you’re guilty of this.
We used to always prepare it with a slow cooker but that takes considerably more time. If you have an instant pot (pressure cooker), this 35-minute version is going to become your new favorite. You get the same results in a fraction of the time.
How to make dulce de leche in an instant pot?
- Wash pint-sized mason jars, lids, and bands with soapy warm water. Dry the jars. (This keeps the jars from exploding.)
- Pour sweetened condensed milk into mason jars. Secure with lids.
- Place jars on a rack in the instant pot. Pour water into the pressure cooker just below the lids.
- Cook 35-40 minutes on manual high pressure with a quick release of pressure. Cans will be HOT, remove them with a canning jar lifter
.
- Cover jars with a kitchen towel and allow to cool. Don’t open the jars until they have completely cooled.
.NOTE: When removing the jars, the dulce de leche may seem runny and not fully cooked, no worries. It will thicken more as it fully cools.
How long should I cook the condensed milk?
The cook time will depend on how thick and dark you like the dulce de leche:
- 35-minutes cook time will result in a golden creamy dulce de leche.
- 40-minutes cook time will result in a dark brown rich color and it will be really thick. (This would be the same consistency and color you’d get if you have ever purchased it at the store.)
How to store dulce de leche?
You can store it in the refrigerator in the jars 2-3 weeks.
NOTE: You can fit up to three mason jars into a standard pressure cooker. If you need more than two jars, add another one when cooking.
Try these recipes using dulce de leche-
- King’s Cake – A stunning layered cake
- Russian Cherry Layer Cake- The cherry crumble is so good!
- Poppyseed Roulade- For the poppyseed lover!
- Layered Snickers Cake- Tastes just like the candy bar.
Instant Pot Dulce de Leche
Instructions
- Wash two mason jars, lids and bands with soapy warm water. Dry the jars. (This keeps the jars from exploding.)
- Pour sweetened condensed milk into the mason jars. Secure the jars with lids and bands.
- Place the jars on the rack of your instant pot. Pour water into the pressure cooker just below the lids.
- Cook 35-40 minutes* on manual high pressure with a quick release of pressure. Cans will be HOT, remove them with a canning jar lifter.
- Cover jars with a kitchen towel and allow to cool. (Don’t open the jars until they have completely cooled.)
Notes
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
What is your favorite recipe using dulce de leche? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
Valentina Ablaev
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
I would like to can the dulce de Leche for a longer shelf life. Are the jars “canned” an ready for the pantry shelf?
Hi Laura! I have not tested canning this.
Hi Natasha. I’ve tried this recipe but I think I’ve made a mistake. Was 1 hour too long? I wanted a golden color but my mom told me to do it longer & it turned out choppy darker.
Hi Lily, I recommend following the recipe as written and as it is especially your first time because that has been proven to work.
hi….i’m so excited on trying to make dulce de leche this way but i’m confused is to why i need to wash the jars again “to avoid exploding” should i be worried about jars exploding?
Hi Emily, the key is in making sure you have enough water going up the side of the jars (also avoid using very large jars or you won’t be able to accomplish that).
Hi Eliza, I think that should work fine so long as they fit on the rack. We have a note on it in the recipe, You can store it in the refrigerator in the jars 2-3 weeks.
thats great natasha. thank you for answering my questions. can i add 2 cans of condensed milk into 1 taller jar then? also do you have an ORESHKI recipe?
Hi Eliza. You can use the search bar at the top of the page to search for all my recipes on my website. I do not have a recipe for that.
The key is making sure you have enough water going up the side of the jars so if you’re using large jars you may not be able to accomplish that.
sooo using a Ball wide mouth 24oz jar per 1 can is a NO then? i have no idea is to where i can find a 14oz jar with out buying the whole case of them. lol.
thank you natasha.
This is great! I tested today in instant pot but not in jars, I poured it in 6inch stainless steel bowl that fits perfectly in my instant pot and added water to the instant pot ,cooked 45 minutes… 👍
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Hi, I just made this and put in 4 ounce jars but I’m wondering how to make it to preserve it so I could use these as a bridal shower or wedding shower favor and not worry about it not being refrigerated.
Hi Donna, Please check out How to store dulce de leche in the recipe. I haven’t tried it any other way though to advise.
Hi! I’m from Malaysia. Follow the recipes but water gets into my jar. I already sealed properly but still water gets in. Can I pour away the top water and use the dulce de leche.
Hi Amy, I wonder if maybe there is a gap in the seal. You can drain off any water that pools at the top and still use it.
Hi! Looking forward to making this. I have left over condensed milk and thought I could make this with the churros. Does the time change if I have about 3/4 cups?
Hi Vedika, It should still take about the same amount of time to make dulce de leche even with a smaller amount.