Crockpot Caramel
I have seen this crock pot/slow cooker caramel trick all over the place for a while now, but I have wanted to try it with my homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk (check that out if you haven’t already, because it’s so easy). I was having a little ice cream party for some girls I plan activities for, & finally got the chance to make this caramel for that.
Although I was nervous the first 7 hours of the cooking time, it actually turned to caramel in the 8th hour & IT. IS. GOOD! So thick & smooth good! I actually had to thin mine a little bit to make it drizzle-able. Use this caramel for ice cream, or on brownies, with apples, or any dessert recipe that calls for caramel. Have fun with it!
A quick note about canning: Although this caramel is made in canning jars, it is not being “canned” during this process. I actually don’t recommend canning caramel or chocolate sauce at home. Home canning only works with high acid foods, and caramel or chocolate sauces are definitely not in that category. Trying to can these in a hot water bath without refrigerating the cans would put you at risk for botulism once consumed. These products can only safely be canned in a professional processing facility with specialized equipment and usually the use of preservatives. They are still really fun to give away as gifts, but make sure the recipient understands to keep it refrigerated & consume it within a couple weeks; writing an “expiration date” & refrigeration reminder on top the the lid might not be a bad idea as well. Enjoy!
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Crockpot Caramel
Ingredients
- 14 oz (396 g) can Sweetened Condensed Milk
Supplies
- A towel if using store bought aluminum cans of sweetened condensed milk
- Half Pint Mason Jars if using Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk; you can also pour the canned milk into the jars. (Tip: The shorter the jar the easier it is to cover in your crock pot.)
- Heavy Cream; for thinning if desired
Instructions
- If you are cooking in the can, remove the label and put a towel underneath the can(s) to prevent rust stains in your slow cooker. (Do NOT open the can until after it’s cooked.)
- If using mason jars, pour condensed milk into the jar(s) top with lid(s) & and tightly close with canning ring(s).
- Fill crock pot completely with water; enough to cover the top of the can(s) or jar(s).
- Cover crock pot with the lid and cook on low for 8 hours or until preferred caramelization is achieved. (Mine turned to caramel right at the end in the 8th hour, so don’t freak out if it looks white for a really long time.)
- If you are using Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk, it may look foamy on top once you've opened the lid & that's ok. Stir it up while it's hot because it will smooth out. Also, you can add heavy cream, 1 TBSP at a time, to thin the caramel for drizzling purposes or if it is too thick for your liking.
- After cooling, refrigerate up to two weeks.
Notes
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Oh my goodness, this looks amazing! I’ve never made caramel before because I’ve always been so intimidated by the whole process and worried about burning the whole thing, what a great idea to make it in the crockpot!!! Thanks for sharing, I’ll definitely give this a try!!!
I also have seen this and wondered if it really worked – now that I see it does what’s stopping me from trying it? Thank you for sharing your experience… found you through I Should Be Mopping the Floors….
Dear Amber, That would not last long! Caramel is favorite and it certainly makes everything taste better.
I am sure this was a hit at the party.
Blessings dear. Catherine xo
It looks terrific!
I also make this myself, as well as condensed milk
Eight hours in the crock pot??? I would have been biting my nails the entire time and after a couple of hours I would have thought that surely I had messed up somewhere! Way to sick it out. It looks absolutely delicious. I’m pinning for sure.
Yeah, it was the longest 8 hours of my life, but worth the wait for sure!
I love caramel mixed with fruits for dessert, thanks for the recipe.
It’s definitely a great combo! Thanks for stopping by!
That looks amazing. I am a caramel addict. Like seriously addicted. Now all I can think about is the things that need caramel on them.
Well, I think you better start by making this caramel & then putting it on all those things you are thinking about 🙂
This looks so good and yummy! I love dipping my apples into carmel. Also, your pictures look really great too! Nice job.
Thanks Kathleen! Seriously. This caramel is so thick. I could spoon some from the jar in the fridge & it stayed on my spoon & it is absolutely perfect for dipping apples in for a snack. If you heat it up I bet it would even work for caramel dipped apples.
Ooooh… I love caramel! Can’t wait to try this out.
It really can’t get any easier. 🙂
Amber, this looks so delicious! I have been wanting to try your homemade sweetened condensed milk and now I might have to try it and make this with it!
Do it! I love my homemade sweetened condensed milk! It’s so versatile. 🙂