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This thick, caramel-like sauce or spread is made with only one ingredient--a can of sweetened condensed milk. For years I made Dulce de Leche in a slow cooker (recipe here). That's easy, but it takes a while. Recently, I discovered how much faster it is to make in an Instant Pot.
Here's how to make this versatile sauce that can be spread on toast, stirred into coffee or yogurt, used as dip for fruit or cookies, or drizzled on ice cream, pancakes or waffles.
Step-by-step photos for making
Instant Pot Dulce de Leche
Step 1. Pour one 14-oz can of sweetened condensed milk into a pint (16 oz) mason jar. It is important to use a canning jar that can withstand high heat and pressure. Tighten the lid until it is finger-tight.

- NOTE: You can cook a double or triple batch in a 6-qt. Instant Pot. I am making a double batch in these photos using 2 cans of sweetened condensed milk, poured into two mason jars. There is room for a third jar, if desired.
Step 2. Place jar(s) on a rack inside the Instant Pot (IP).

Step 3. Add water to just below the lid bottom.

Step 4. Secure the IP lid, set to SEAL, and cook on high pressure for 40 minutes. When cooking time is complete, turn off IP, place a towel over the steam valve and set on VENT to release pressure. Remove the lid and allow the jar(s) to rest in the hot water for 5 more minutes.

Step 5. Remove jar with jar lifter or tongs, keeping jar vertical as it is removed. Rest on a towel for 20-30 minutes.

- The before and after pictures below show how the sweetened condensed milk magically transforms into dulce de leche in the IP. If you prefer a lighter color and flavor, reduce the cooking time by 5 minutes.

Step 6. Remove the jar lid(s). The mixture will be lumpy. Use a small whisk to whisk the mixture inside the jar until it is smooth.

STORE the jar(s) of Dulce de Leche in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
- Stir into coffee or tea
- Blend into yogurt, smoothies, or milk shakes
- Spread on toast, muffins, graham crackers, or cookies
- Use as a fruit dip--especially good with apple slices.
- Thin for drizzling by gently heating the jar in microwave and whisking in cream or canned evaporated milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until drizzling consistency (similar to honey or syrup); drizzle on ice cream, yogurt, pancakes, or waffles.
- Try this recipe for Dulce de Leche Brownie Bites
LABELS FOR GIFTING: Who wouldn't love a jar of Dulce de Leche? Here are printable labels that you can apply to jars.

Make it a Yummy day!
Monica
Dulce de Leche - Instant Pot
By Monica
Servings: makes 1.25 cups
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
NOTE: May cook a double or triple batch (two or three pint jars) in a 6 qt. Instant Pot.
Pour entire can of sweetened condensed milk into a wide-mouth pint mason jar. Tighten jar lid until finger-tight.
Place on rack inside Instant Pot (IP). Add water to just below lid bottom.
Secure IP lid, cook on high pressure for 40 minutes, unplug, place towel over steam valve and release pressure. Remove lid and allow jar to rest in water for 5 more minutes. Remove jar vertically with jar lifter or tongs and rest on towel for 20-30 minutes. Remove jar lid. Whisk in jar until smooth.
May be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 month.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
--Stir into coffee or tea
--Blend into yogurt, smoothies, or milk shakes
--Spread on toast, muffins, graham crackers or cookies
--Use as a fruit dip--especially good with apple slices.
--Thin for drizzling by gently heating in microwave and adding cream or canned evaporated milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until drizzling consistency (similar to honey or syrup); drizzle on ice cream, yogurt, pancakes, or waffles.
Cook this 1-ingredient gooey, caramel-like topping in an Instant Pot. Spread on toast; stir into coffee or tea; blend into yogurt, smoothies, or milkshakes; use as dip for fruit or cookies drizzle on ice cream, pancakes or waffles.