Crafting your own Homemade Dulce de Leche Spread is a delightful journey into the world of traditional confections. This creamy, caramel-like treat is a staple in many cultures and can be used to enhance the flavor of various desserts or simply enjoyed as a spread on toast. With this easy-to-follow recipe, you’ll be able to make about 500g of luscious dulce de leche using basic ingredients, adding a homemade touch that’s sure to impress anyone who tastes it.
Why You’ll Love This: The process of making dulce de leche at home allows for customization of thickness and sweetness, letting you create a version that perfectly suits your taste preferences. Whether you prefer it rich and thick for filling cakes and pastries or slightly runnier for drizzling over ice cream, this recipe has you covered. Plus, the added vanilla essence offers a subtle depth of flavor that complements the caramel notes beautifully.
Perfect Occasion: Homemade dulce de leche makes a wonderful gift, packaged in pretty jars and tied with a ribbon. It’s also perfect for special occasions, holidays, or as a decadent treat for weekend breakfasts. Use it to add a sweet, creamy layer to pancakes, waffles, or as a filling for crepes and pastries at your next brunch or dessert table.
Decoration Tips:
- Spoon the dulce de leche into glass jars and decorate with fabric covers and twine for a rustic, homemade look.
- For a festive touch, attach a small wooden spreader or a recipe card with suggestions for using the dulce de leche.
- Layer it in dessert glasses with fresh fruit and whipped cream for an elegant parfait.
Ingredients:
- 1 liter of milk
- 370g sugar (integral or white)
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of honey or glucose (honey is a healthier option)
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract or essence
Preparation:
- Combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized pot over medium heat.
- Stir occasionally to ensure the mixture is well combined and to prevent it from burning. The mixture will gradually darken as it cooks.
- The cooking time will vary depending on the desired thickness; a longer cooking time will yield a thicker dulce de leche. Remember, it will thicken further as it cools.
- Once cooled, the dulce de leche can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
Indulge in the sweet, creamy goodness of your Homemade Dulce de Leche Spread, a versatile treat that elevates any dessert or breakfast item to an extraordinary level. Enjoy!
