Recipes with dulce de leche pair caramel richness with soft, chewy textures in desserts like shortbread sandwiches, chocolate bakes and layered cakes.
1/11
Jamaican Chocolate Cookies with Caramel Creme
From the Recipe Creator:
I made these for an office party cookie contest—not a crumb was left on the platter! —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
2/11
Easy Irish Cream
From the Recipe Creator:
Stir up this fast and easy recipe for a potluck brunch. There's plenty of coffee flavor in every cozy cup. —Anna Hansen, Park City, Utah
3/11
Chocolate Alfajores
From the Recipe Creator:
Chocolate alfajores, also known as alfajores de chocolate, are a popular South American dessert. Slightly sweetened shortbread cookies are filled with a rich and creamy milk caramel called dulce de leche. It's best to chill the dough at least two hours so the cookies hold when baking. —Kimberly Scott, Kosciusko, Mississippi
4/11
Seven-Layer Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
The addition of dulce de leche makes this a decadent new take on traditional seven-layer bars. You can cut this recipe in half and make it in an 8x8-inch pan. —Andrea Barlow, Hot Springs, Arkansas
5/11
Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars
From the Recipe Creator:
What did I do when I couldn’t decide between two of my favorite desserts? I combined them! This snickerdoodle-blondie hybrid proves even better with caramel—always a favorite ingredient. —Niki Plourde, Gardner, Massachusetts
6/11
Dulce de Leche Cheesecake
From the Recipe Creator:
I'm originally from Paraguay, and dulce de leche reminds me of where I came from. If you can't find it at your grocery store, try caramel ice cream topping instead. It tastes different, but this decadent dessert will still be amazing. —Sonia Lipham, Ranburne, Alabama
7/11
Ice Cream Wafflewiches
From the Recipe Creator:
A wafflewich is a masterpiece of textures with chewy waffles, smooth ice cream, gooey caramel syrup and crunchy pecans. This is cold-storage comfort food. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
8/11
Dulce de Leche French Toast Bake
From the Recipe Creator:
I am a big fan of dulce de leche and am always looking for a way to incorporate it into sweet dishes. I decided to make a breakfast dish that was reminiscent of a luscious dulce de leche cheesecake. The pecan topping takes the dish over the top without making it overly sweet. No maple syrup is needed for this French toast casserole! —Anna Stigger, Katy, Texas
9/11
Mocha Mint Coffee
From the Recipe Creator:
This doctored-up coffee benefits from hints of mint, cocoa and cinnamon. The marshmallows on top are a playful addition that brings out the youngster in anyone. —Mindie Hilton, Susanville, California
10/11
Dulce de Leche Cake
From the Recipe Creator:
The frosting is the star of this decadent, rich cake. Made with cream cheese and dulce de leche, the frosting lets the sweet caramel flavors come through. To really indulge, drizzle your slice with any leftover canned dulce de leche. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
11/11
Alfajores Cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
Alfajores combine shortbread cookies with a rich dulce de leche filling for a decadent treat. Many cherished family recipes inspired this lovely rendition. —Jennifer Schwarzkopf, Oregon, Wisconsin
Recipes with Dulce de Leche FAQ
How can I use dulce de leche in desserts?
You can use dulce de leche as a filling, topping or base in all kinds of desserts like cookies, cakes, ice creams and puddings. Its creamy, caramelized texture makes it ideal for sandwiching between soft cookies like alfajores or layering in no-bake cheesecakes where it adds structure and flavor. You can swirl it into brownie batter, blend it into whipped cream for an easy mousse, or drizzle it over pancakes or waffles. Unlike thinner caramel sauces, dulce de leche holds its shape well under heat.
Can I make homemade dulce de leche?
You can make homemade dulce de leche using only one ingredient—sweetened condensed milk. The most common method is to simmer an unopened can in a pot of water for two to three hours, allowing the milk to caramelize into a golden, velvety spread. For a quicker version, pour the condensed milk into a shallow dish, cover it with foil and bake it in a water bath at 425°F for about 90 minutes. Once cooled, store it in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.
What flavors pair well with dulce de leche?
Dulce de leche pairs well with flavors that balance its sweetness. Different types of baking chocolate, like unsweetened or bittersweet chocolate, cut through its richness, while toasted nuts like pecans or hazelnuts add crunch and earthiness. You can also use tart fruits like lemons and berries to brighten desserts with dulce de leche. Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom complement its caramel notes without overpowering them.
