Submitted by Amanda Crowther
Condensed Milk Caramel
Ingredients
- A can of sweetened condensed milk
- Ring pull cans are ok ... Just place ring pull cans ringpull end down in the slow cooker
Instructions
- Place unopened can of sweetened condensed milk into your slow cooker.
- Cover the can completely with water... It doesn't really matter the temperature of the water... I try to make sure there is at least 2 inches of water over the top of thecan (VERY IMPORTANT)
- Put the lid on. Your slow cooker... No tea towel.
- Put your slow cooker on high for up to 4 or 5 hours or 7-8 hours on low... Depending on how thick you want your caramel, to the amount of time it's in there. Mine was 4.5 hours on high.
- I checked mine every hour or so to make sure the water level hadn't dropped... It didn't...
- After the time is up, patience is required.... Allow can of caramel to cool completely before opening... The caramel is under pressure in the tin and you don't want molten caramel to explode out at you from a hot tin (VERY IMPORTANT)..... I just left mine in the slow cooker over night.
- Then open and use for your delicious treats.... We have been known in my house to eat the caramel straight out of the can with a spoon.... Yes it's that good!! ?
- *note... Some people have talked about the cans exploding.... Although that is a possibility, I have used this method heaps of times and it has been fine. Just make sure you always have enough water in your slow cooker and please make your own judgement call on what it is safe for you.
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- Alternate non can method
- Note from Slow Cooker Central: Be sure water is tap temperature only. Boiling water could crack your bowl.
Tried this recipe?Scroll Down To Share What You Think
I did this successfully in my 1.5L slowcooker. Just made sure I checked the water level stayed above the can regularly. Then let cool over night before opening.
Was delicious?
I did this in my 1.5L slowcooker. Just checked the water level regularly. Turned out delicious?
Has anyone made caramel with the reduced sugar condensed milk. Can it be done? Any tips? TIA.
If you use the unopened can method you can do several at once. After they’re cool the unopened cans of caramel will keep for months in the fridge and can be used to make “instant” treats whenever you want!
What treats do u usually make with the caramel looking for ideas
I do this and then add the caramel to a biscut base (ie a packet of crushed arrowroot biscuits blended with melted unsalted butter and then put in a flan tin and set in the freezer) to make a tart and place whipped cream on top of the caramel and sprinkle a broken flake bar on the top. I then serve the tart with strawberries as a desert. It is so yummy. I usually find I have to drink a cup of tea with it as it is so sweet. But it is really decadent!
I used to have to do this at a restaurant in which I worked. We always did a few cans at a time and kept a close eye on the water being kept above the top of the can at all times. They were then left to completely cool.
Love doing caramel this way but recommend that you put some baking paper under the cans so it doesn’t mark you slow cooker insert
How did you make those meringue treats? They look lovely! X
They are pre purchased mini meringue nests. Filled with room temperature slow cooked caramel. Topped with crushed flake chcocolate 🙂
You can buy Caramel Condensed milk will this be alright to use
The canned top’n’fill style ready made caramel just isn’t as good I’m afraid as the real thing! 🙂 It’s often much thicker also so harder to work with
Hi. Make banofee pie with. 250 g crushed plain bikkies (I used vanilla wines but any will do) 200g melted butter more or less to make s biscuit base. Press into a shallow pie or flan dish. Chill for an hour or more. Pour caramel over top. Back into fridge . Just before serving put sliced banana and cover with whipped cream. Top with grated chocolate or crushed flake and enjoy. Leftovers are great the next day (if there are any )
I personally cook mine for more like 6hrs on high and always get great results 🙂
My mum cooked condensed milk like this for us . When I was 10, one day it went wrong, can exploded and I ended up with hot caramel burning my face, hand, neck and leg. I’ll never forget it eating through my skin and not being able to get it off, balls of watery blisters hanging off my face and years of surgery and skin grafts. You can buy it pre caramelised in a can guys. Highly recommend that!
That’s the danger with stove cooked caramel in the years past 🙂
Always follow our basic safety of NEVER cooking without full water coverage at all times and NEVER opening hot 🙂
And the canned stuff is nothing like the real thing – love our slow cooked caramel
Will this also make caramel candies, or just to use in recipes.
No it’s to make recipes using caramel like desserts and baking etc as well as just eaten with a spoon if you are feeling really naughty 😉
Hi, can you cook 2 cans in slow cooker at the same time. If so is the same cooking time?
Yes … See here Caramel Questions Answered
Is is safe to store in the pantry, or does it have to be stored in the fridge? I’d like to make several cans, as I have ALOT of holiday baking to do. Plus I need a couple cans to eat! ?
Yes Marsha …. pantry while still sealed. Fridge once opened. Several cans at once is fine 🙂
All this and more covered here for you >> Caramel Q&A’s
Wowwwww!!! What can one say that hasn’t already been said…. I am not a very good cook so finding something so amazingly easy that comes out so incredibly delicious is a real boon. Now I need to find strength to not just sit with the can and a spoon! Mine worked fab for 5 hours and the water level never dropped although checked regularly anyway
Hi I’ve just unboxed a new never been used before 3.3ltr slow cooker it’s just a Tesco one, I’m just wondering if I cook 2 cans at the same time how long do I put it on for? Never used a slow cooker so new to this xx
Yes you can .. many cans at once … same time 🙂
I made myou caramel last night. .just opened it..delicious. .now..I scraped it into a bowl with a lid. .do I now store it in the fridge or cupboard?
Fridge now that you’ve opened it 🙂
Caramel Questions Answered
After 6hrs on high my can was rusted and the caramel was still very blonde. The ceramic bowl has rust marks on it that won’t clean off 🙁
I moved it to a jar and put it back in the slow cooker for a further 6hrs and then it was perfect.
It’s a great easy method, but heating times vary greatly.
My slow cooker isn’t deep enough to have 2 inches of water above the top of the tin. I’m luck to have an inch if that. Does that mean I shouldn’t do it?
That’s fine just make sure that inch of water stays there (which it should) or top it up of you need to 🙂
Tried making caramel for the first time last night. Success!!
I put it on high for 5 hours and it turned out exactly how i wanted it.
when it has finished cooking, do nyou leave it in the slow cooker with the water as wel
I leave it sit in there to cool yes
Once opened how long does the caramel last?
In my house – not long 😉
Generally speaking I’d try to use it within a wk or so
Made this for my son’s kinder teachers and helpers. Not the first time I have made it. Perfect every time. Thank you for the suggestion Pauline.
Can always do this in glad bags…. just transfer into the sealed bags cover with water and cook on high for six hours. No fear of cans exploding. I do this often.
Currently cooking this! Just wondering if i can transfer this into a sink of water to cool once its finished cooking? I need to use my slow cooker after, and cant let it cool in slow cooker!
If so, hot water or cool top water?
Thank you!
Yes you can
I use cold tap water to cool faster 🙂
If i boil up a few tins at the same time, do i still cook them for the same time or cook for longer? Also, once cooked and cooled, how long can i store them, in the pantry or fridge? Thanks for the great info.
Same time for multiple tins
If stored unopened in the cupboard they will last as long as the cans original use by date
Can this be done with Pouches of Sweetened Condensed milk instead of the Cans ? and how long and at what temperature would i need to cook it?
Yep you can do it without cans this way >> Condensed milk caramel the no can method
Did this the other night, did 7 hours low. Used it tonight for little caramel tarts for dessert, amazing! (My partner ate 1 can, straight from the can aswell)
Came out absolutely perfect!
Tried first time as per recipe last might. Cooked on high 6hrs left in SC to cool overmight. Results did not dissappoint beautifully thick rich caramel. YummY!
Can the caramel be used as part of a filling with chocolate ganache in a red velvet cake? Or would it be too overpowering together?
Many thanks,
Veronica
Sounds amazing!
Just did this today, left cans in on high for 5 hours and left to cool overnight
Next day i opened the cans to find beautiful and thick caramel perfect for my caramel slice
I cooked my condensed milk in the can for 5 hrs. When I opened the tins I find that there are crystallized parts of sugar in it. Can I still use it.
Yes totally ok to still use 🙂
I use Arnotts ginger nut biscuits as my base for tarts, I put upside down in muffin trays, put in a warm oven until they get soft, press into muffin indent in tray then let cool. Ready made tartlet bases. Ginger and caramel…. yum, yum, yum.
Hi can I make this with coconut milk as my child is dairy free?
my caramel has little bits of crystallized sugar in them. how can i get rid of them. can i put the caramel in a pot on the stove top and heat it so that the crystallized sugar will melt.
Absolutely love this method of cooking caramel, the taste is amazing.
Can I use ring pull cans? Do I place them with the ring at the bottom (can upside down). Can I do multiple cans at one? About 5 hours on high? Then transfere to a jar? Is it possible to do it in a jar? Do I need to put a lid on the jar? If it’s not cooked enough, can I put it back on the next day? Thanks
Yes you can use ring pulls, yes you can do as many cans that fits in, 6hrs HIGH then leave them in cooling down water for extra 2hrs, yes then you can transfer to jar or do it in jar … all these answers and more answered here CARAMEL QUESTIONS ANSWERED 🙂
Omg best recipe yet. I cooked them for 6hrs on high abs let cool for 2hrs and it was thick and delicious.
I want to make runny caramel to use as a sauce. How long should I cook it for please?
Easy recipe. Will definitely make caramel this way from now on ??
How do you use the caramel after it’s cooked? It’s so thick I can’t get it to smooth out! Do I need to heat it up or something before I can “pour” it over a pie base?!
It can be used in so many ways … you’ll find recipes here that use it too 🙂
Heating will help it become runnier/smoother, you could just stand can in some hot water before you use it
A new question for you Paulene, do you put boiling water in to start with or just cold water? Thanks in advance ?
Just tap temp or warm at most .. never boiling 🙂
Beautiful rich divine caramel for any dessert or eat straight from.the can!
Oh my goodness. This is the most delicious caramel. Made it exactly as per the instructions with the Coles home brand sweetened milk. Removed the label and put the can on it’s side. I filled the bowl well above the tin and kept an eye on it, but water didn’t need topping up at all.
So delicious. Tastes way better than the store bought tin caramel. Will never go back to buying it.
Hi Paulene
Wanting to make caramel but a little worried ….I have the ring pull cans which you say to put upside down in S/C. But I don’t seem to be able to get 2” water coverage above the can in either S/C it’s only about 1inch above the can will this be safe….?
Pop them on their side Ann instead 🙂
This is the best caramel to cook, so easy. First time cooking in mason jars though and results are fantastic, would highly recommend.
can you frost a cake with this slow cooker carmel
Well I can’t say I have tried to given it’s not something that will set like a frosting … but It would be yummy for sure 🙂
Very easy to make … takes nothing more than condensed milk, a slow cooker and some patience!
Loved the results! Delicious caramel and so easy. I looked up the “caramel questions answered” tag and followed the directions there as well as the above recipe. Placed caramel on for 6 hours and then cooled. A delicious surprise awaited in the morning as had left to cool overnight. Will definitely be doing again.
Easy easy easy and absolutely delicious. The top n fill does not even compare and it’s a wonderful idea for gifts.
Perfect caramel every time!
Thick & rich & creamy.
Made for Xmas presents. Yum 🙂
Tried it with Woolworths brand, 6hrs on high, forgot about it so it sat on warm for 5 more hrs so we took it out of water to cool. Is absolutely perfect not overdone and not a bit bitter like the bought one. Going to try the jar method next time looks so pretty as a gift.
I tried your recipe today and cooked on high for eight hours, then allowed it to cool in the slow cooker. I just opened the can and it looks and tastes like sweetened condensed milk. It isn’t anything like caramel. Any ideas what went wrong? How can I salvage it? I had planned to serve on my ice cream pies for Easter dinner tomorrow. Thanks!
Hi Wanda, I always only do mine for 6hrs on HIGH and it’s always perfect so it’s unusual that yours wouldn’t be cooked in 8hrs unless your slow cooker is unusually low? Or it was in fact on low by mistake and not on high?
You can still salvage it though no worries but putting the unopened cans back in, or by using this method Caramal Jar Method
Important tip! The adhesive on the sides of the cans is really hard to remove from the inside of your crock pot. Use a slow-cooker liner and the problem is solved! My mom made this 50+ years ago on the stove (you have to be diligent about not letting the water level fall). I make it a couple times a year, and this slow cooker method makes it even easier. Note: in my experience, the caramel in an unopened can is good until the sale date on the can and is shelf stable! You can store in the fridge but it is not necessary. I take this to parties with sliced apples and everyone raves.
is it supposed to be half liquid and half thick?
No yours isn’t finished cooking if it’s not all thick caramel consistency