Caramel in a can

[Punky]

(If you're MA, this is obviously not going to work for you.)

- Take the label off of a regular (NOT pop top) can of sweetened condensed milk.
- Place in deep cooking pot and cover with several inches of hot water. Make sure there is plenty of water to keep the can fully immersed.
- Simmer for 2 hours.
- Let cool for a couple of hours in fridge or on counter.
- When cool, open the can and Voila! Yummy rich caramel to use as you please.
I've heard you can accomplish the same outcome in a crockpot for 6-8 hours too, but I haven't tried it.

I dip apples in it, put it over ice cream, or eat it by the spoonful when no one else is looking 

[hedgehog]

I know it is common practice, but "they"  (you know that mysterious "they" that know everything), say never to heat that way because the can can explode due the internal pressure.  Buut if you put a little hole in the top of the can, and just make sure it does not tip over into the water, it is fine.

[Jessica]

I've done this by emptying the can into a pan and letting it cook for a long time over very low heat. I'm too paranoid to heat a closed can or even one with a pinhole in it. It turned out really good though! Now I just buy smucker's caramel topping.

[krasota]

I totally make dulce de leche this way.  I like living on the edge.  You can do it more safely with a double boiler, though.  I've also done the microwave method.

[nameless]

I do it this way: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2005/11/dulce-de-lechec/

That way there is no guess work if it's done or not   Else I've made it by poking holes in the top of can (washing the whole can first), and boiling/simmering in a heavy saucepan with water just a bit below the top. Keep adding water as it evaporates...then I stick a skewer down one of the holes every so often to see until it's one. Once it took 4 hrs, I have no idea why. Then I found David Lebovitz's method with the pie plate and bane marie and loved doing it that way.

Adrienne

[GoingNuts]

Wow nameless; I've never seen that method.  If I have time this weekend I'll make some vanilla ice cream, and make some of that to go with.  DS will flip!

[GoingNuts]

There is dulce de leche action going on in my oven right now.  I'll let you know how it comes out!

[nameless]

There is dulce de leche action going on in my oven right now.  I'll let you know how it comes out!

Just don't cook it TOO long, keep testing/tasting and letting a TB cool in the fridge for 10 minutes to see if it stays creamy or if it hardens like a rock.

I've overcooked dulce de leche and you can turn it into candy, but you can't put it on icecream.

  Adrienne

[GoingNuts]

Good to know.  I was getting concerned because it doesn't seem to be firming up at all, though the color has deepened.  I'm going to have to leave in a minute to pick my DH up; maybe I should take it out and let it finish in the water bath out of the oven.

[GoingNuts]

That's what I did, and it came out great!  Thanks for the guidance.

[nameless]

That's what I did, and it came out great!  Thanks for the guidance.

yay!

I go off color and then when it finally starts tasting like caramel and not condensed milk.

[Mfamom]

lol when I glanced at the topics, I thought it said Camel in a Can.  LOL

I love caramel but I'm not making that because I must lose some weight!  I'd eat it all. LOL