Dulce de Leche

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine Ingredients in Pot

   5 min

   In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, pour in 1 litre of milk, followed by 300g of sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly until the sugar dissolves completely, creating a uniform mixture. The baking soda will help in achieving that rich caramel color later on.

2. 2

   Cook Over Low Heat

   14 min

   Set the pot over low heat, allowing the mixture to gently warm up. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon or a silicone spatula to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom and burning. This process is crucial for achieving a smooth texture without any lumps.

3. 3

   Thicken and Color the Mixture

   ~2 hr

   Continue cooking and stirring the mixture frequently for about 1 to 2 hours. As it cooks, you'll notice it thickening and changing color to a deep caramel hue. Keep an eye on it and adjust the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer without boiling.

4. 4

   Incorporate Vanilla Extract

   5 min

   Once the mixture has thickened and reached a rich caramel color, remove it from the heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until fully incorporated, which will enhance the flavor of your dulce de leche. The mixture should be smooth and glossy at this stage.

5. 5

   Cool and Store

   10 min

   Allow the dulce de leche to cool down to room temperature in the pot. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Once cooled, transfer it to a clean jar for storage; it can be refrigerated for later use.