# Sweetened Milk Caramel; for what Purpose? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** soda-softdrinks\ **Created:** [April 15, 2022, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888 "2022-04-15T16:34:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/1 "2022-04-15T16:34:14Z")
I have become interested in making caramel by boiling sweetened condensed milk still in the can. I have no reason to want to do this save as a little experiment. For Easter I will make a cheesecake. Usually I serve it with fruit as a topping. Do you think the caramel concoction would work? **Once I make a can of such caramel, what can I do with it?** ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/2 "2022-04-15T16:38:23Z")
Sometimes I swirl it into brownie batter (after it’s in the pan). ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/3 "2022-04-15T17:03:51Z")
I’m sure it would work rather well on cheesecake, or in a variety of other sweets. Some other uses - Pour over a (good) vanilla ice cream. Pour into coffee Dip sliced apples into Use to top waffles/pancakes Pretty much works with most sweets and chocolates. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/4 "2022-04-15T17:41:12Z")
Thank you. It is on the hob now. ---
**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/5 "2022-04-15T18:41:22Z")
Eat it. Directly with a spoon out of the can. Enjoy every delicious second of it. Regret your life decisions. ---
**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/6 "2022-04-15T18:42:23Z")
But to be serious, dipping it on apples or fruit is fantastic. Warming it up and drizzling on ice cream. Pie topping. Milkshakes. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/7 "2022-04-15T19:19:58Z")
Considering you’ve made _dulce de leche_, there are many possibilities. For example: [Dulce de leche recipes](https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/dulce-de-leche-recipes) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/8 "2022-04-15T19:51:40Z")
It’s extremely versatile, and works well with pretty much anything that works with sweet. I’ve had it in/on cookies, cakes, custards, fresh fruits, pies, ice cream, crepes, Graham crackers… ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/9 "2022-04-15T22:43:53Z")
This recipe works like a charm. Southern Comfort is a good substitute but any good alcohol is fine. [https://www.nigella.com/recipes/no-churn-salted-caramel-bourbon-ice-cream](https://www.nigella.com/recipes/no-churn-salted-caramel-bourbon-ice-cream) ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2022, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/10 "2022-04-16T13:22:31Z")
It goes on flan. Mmmmm. Been a while since I’ve made it. ---
**Author:** ![Dandan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@Dandan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandan)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2022, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/11 "2022-04-16T14:01:49Z")
This made me jump up and check the pantry…Yes! a can of sweetened condensed, so I’m going to try it, after I check out some recipes. Label on my can says “Do Not Heat In Can”, perhaps because of plastic coating inside? I was planning to remove the lid anyway (heh), so I guess I’ll look for one of those chi-chi frou-frou little saucepans that I’ve never seen in anyone’s kitchen. Dan ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2022, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/12 "2022-04-16T14:07:51Z")
Suggestion to all making sweetened milk caramel-- remove from heat the second it begins to darken. It will continue to cook long after it is taken off the stove and it will burn-- trust me, I’ve learned from experience. ---
**Author:** ![Dandan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@Dandan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandan)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2022, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/13 "2022-04-16T14:37:14Z")
Went to YouTube, here: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ncOnhrHuEGs/maxresdefault.jpg "How to make sweetened condensed milk dulce de leche 4 ways") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncOnhrHuEGs) and…three of the four recipes demonstrate cooking in an unopened can. I may try this on the deck with the hotplate at the end of an extension cord. Yeah, yeah, the presenter has (presumably) survived, and I’m not a total chicken, and I love caramel, but… Dan ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2022, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/14 "2022-04-16T14:46:14Z")
As long as you make sure the water doesn’t go dry, it’s perfectly safe. If you’re really paranoid, set a timer or alarm for 1 hour, 2 hours, and 3 hours to remind you to top off the water. ---
**Author:** ![Dandan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a87d85/32.png) [@Dandan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dandan)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2022, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/15 "2022-04-16T18:13:24Z")
Yes, thank you - I was thinking about this, finally, and if the water bath doesn’t evaporate, nothing in the cooker will heat over 212 F, so no steam, so no BOOM! Science! I’m not paranoid, or not excessively so, but I’m hoping to choose the time and manner of my exit (not in the foreseeable, sorry). Dan ---
**Author:** ![ctnguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@ctnguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ctnguy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2022, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/16 "2022-04-16T18:49:47Z")
I would recommend [this caramel fridge tart recipe](https://www.cooksister.com/2007/08/peppermint-cris.html). It is a classic desert here in South Africa. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2022, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweetened-milk-caramel-for-what-purpose/962888/17 "2022-04-16T18:56:03Z")
Of course you probably know you can buy the stuff already made in the can… > **[Dulce de Leche 13.4 oz Can](https://www.goodnes.com/la-lechera/products/dulce-de-leche-134-oz-can/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0umSBhDrARIsAH7FCoemF2PgxDOH22hMl8d1DEvi5KmSv3I4UbhVjIlFAYY_dsxpsB8iKyEaAr0UEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)** > > Our Dulce de Leche Milk-Based Caramel is perfect for adding authentic taste to your desserts, drinks and snacks.