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Silky Manjar Blanco (Dulce de Leche)

Dessert 🍰Snack 🍿 Portuguese 🇵🇹Spanish 🇪🇸 Low-CarbLow-SodiumHeart-Healthy ❤️Gluten-FreeVegetarian 🥦Halal 🕌Kosher ✡️Pescatarian 🐟

Silky Manjar Blanco (Dulce de Leche) delivers a rich, caramelized milk flavor with a smooth, spoonable texture that’s sweet but balanced by a hint of vanilla and salt. It’s special for its slow-cooked depth and glossy finish, ideal for spreading on toast, filling alfajores, or drizzling over ice cream. Serve it at brunch, as a dessert topping, or for an afternoon treat.

  • Prep5 mins
  • Cook1 hr 25 mins
  • Serves50
  • DifficultyMedium
Silky Manjar Blanco (Dulce de Leche)
  1. 1

    Combine the milk, sugar, sweetener, and vanilla in the largest pot you have.

  2. 2

    Set over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves.

  3. 3

    Increase the heat and bring to a rolling boil.

  4. 4

    As soon as it boils, mix the water and baking soda in a small bowl and stir to dissolve; do not worry if it does not dissolve completely.

  5. 5

    Remove the pot from the stove and set it in the sink.

  6. 6

    Add the baking soda mixture and stir vigorously, as the milk will expand rapidly—be prepared!

  7. 7

    When the mixture settles back to its original volume, return the pot to the stove and bring it to a very brisk simmer.

  8. 8

    It may worry you that it will scorch, but it should be almost boiling.

  9. 9

    Cook, checking and stirring occasionally, until it turns a deep golden brown, about 1 hour.

  10. 10

    After the mixture has darkened to a caramel color, check it more often.

  11. 11

    The longer you cook it after the color change, the thicker it becomes.

  12. 12

    For a caramel-like consistency, cook for another 15 minutes.

  13. 13

    For a thicker, spreadable consistency, cook for another 20 to 25 minutes.

  14. 14

    For a candy-like consistency, cook it even longer.

  15. 15

    Keep in mind it will thicken significantly as it cools.

  16. 16

    When you are ready, pour the caramel into a plastic container with a lid, or pour it into jars.

  17. 17

    It can be stored without refrigeration, but with refrigeration it keeps well for many weeks.