🥫 20 Gifts of Instant Pot Caramel
A Sweet & Easy Idea for Coworkers – Dulce de Leche in a Jar
📌 In This Article
🥫 The Caramel Gift Story
"My husband wanted me to make something for all his coworkers. Last year I did vanilla extract.... we got to taking and he said caramel.... this was super fast an easy! 20 gifts ready to go in about 2 hours!!" 🥫✨
Homemade caramel is one of those gifts that everyone loves but rarely makes themselves. Using an Instant Pot, you can transform a simple can of sweetened condensed milk into rich, creamy dulce de leche with virtually no mess or effort.
This recipe from Pressure Luck Cooking has become a viral sensation for good reason. It's fast, foolproof, and the results are absolutely delicious. I ended up taking all the caramel from the cans and dumping it in the stand mixer to make it smooth – best idea!
💬 The best idea: "I ended up taking all the caramel from the cans and dumping it in the stand mixer to make it smooth!! Best idea! Now to buy an apple for the top of each jar!"
📦 Ingredients – For 20 Jars
What You'll Need
- 🥫 20 cans (14 oz each) sweetened condensed milk
- 🌿 1 tsp vanilla extract per can – strongly recommended
- 🧂 Sea salt – for serving (optional)
- 🍎 Apples, pretzels, or pound cake – for dipping (optional)
Equipment
- 🔥 Instant Pot or pressure cooker – 6qt or larger
- 🥫 20 small mason jars – for gifting
- 🛠️ Aluminum foil – to cover the cans
- 🥄 Stand mixer or hand mixer – for smoothing the caramel
💡 Pro tip: "You can totally do more than one can at once and fit in 2 or 3. The cooking time below will remain the same."
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
⚠️ CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING
NEVER EVER pressure cook a can of something with its lid still sealed on. Remove the lid completely before cooking. The foil is only to keep water out – not to seal pressure inside the can.
Step 1 – Prepare the Cans
- Remove the label from each can of sweetened condensed milk (easier before removing the lid).
- Remove the lid completely – this is essential for safety.
- Securely cover the top of each can with foil, making sure it's tightly attached.
⚠️ Important: "Remove the lid (this is important. NEVER EVER pressure cook a can of something with its lid still sealed on)."
Step 2 – Cook in Instant Pot
- Place the trivet in the Instant Pot.
- Rest the foil-wrapped cans on top of the trivet. You can fit 2-3 cans at a time.
- Pour in enough water on the sides (not directly on top of the cans) so the cans are halfway submerged (about 8-9 cups of water in a 6qt pot).
- Secure the lid and cook at High Pressure for 40 minutes .
💡 Pro tip: "When done, quick release the pressure, carefully remove the cans from the pot (they will be hot), rest on the countertop, remove the foil and let cool for 20 minutes."
Step 3 – Cool and Smooth
- After 20 minutes of cooling, add 1 tsp of vanilla extract directly into each can.
- Stir well for about 2 minutes until the consistency goes from lumpy to creamy. The can may still be hot – hold it with a dish towel while stirring.
✨ The "Best Idea" Step
I ended up taking all the caramel from the cans and dumping it in the stand mixer to make it smooth!! This is a brilliant idea for making large batches quickly and ensures perfectly smooth, consistent caramel for all your jars.
Step 4 – Jar and Gift
- Transfer the caramel to mason jars.
- Pop a lid on and refrigerate – it won't harden but will be like a super creamy caramel consistency.
- Add a beautiful tag with serving suggestions.
- Top each jar with an apple for a stunning presentation!
🎁 Gifting Ideas
How to Package Your Caramel Gifts
- 🍎 Apple on top: Add a fresh apple to each jar for an instant caramel apple gift set.
- 🏷️ Gift tags: Include serving suggestions – "Drizzle over ice cream, dip apples, or add to coffee!"
- 🎀 Ribbon and fabric: Wrap the jar lid with festive fabric and a ribbon.
- 🧂 Sea salt packet: Include a small bag of sea salt for the Dulce de Leche experience.
- 🍫 Bonus treat: Add a small bag of pretzels or a chocolate bar for dipping.
💡 Pro tip: "Transfer to a mason jar, cover with a lid and pop it in the fridge and use when you wish. It won't harden but will be like a super creamy and perfectly thick caramel consistency!"
💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Caramel
- 🥫 Don't skip the foil: It keeps water out of the can while allowing pressure to escape safely.
- 🌿 Vanilla is essential: It adds a punch of additional flavor.
- 🥄 Use a stand mixer: For large batches, dumping all the caramel in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment makes it perfectly smooth in minutes.
- 🧂 Sea salt makes it gourmet: A sprinkle takes it from caramel to Dulce de Leche.
- ❄️ Refrigerate: It will stay creamy and thick – perfect for weeks of enjoyment.
- 🍎 Apples are the perfect pairing: The tartness of a good apple balances the sweetness of caramel.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I make more than one can at a time?
Yes! Rest two or three cans on the trivet. The cooking time remains the same.
❓ How long does it keep in the fridge?
Up to about a week according to the author. Many readers have kept it for 2-3 weeks or even a month with no issues.
❓ Can I cook it in a mason jar instead?
Yes – some people transfer the sweetened condensed milk to a mason jar and follow the same instructions. Use a stainless steel bowl or canning jar.
❓ Can it be canned for shelf-stable storage?
The author notes that a recipe for canning is in his cookbook. However, this caramel should be refrigerated.
❓ Why didn't my caramel get thick?
Make sure you did a quick release, not a natural release. Some people also find adding 5-10 more minutes helps for a darker, thicker caramel.
❓ Can I use coconut condensed milk?
Readers have tried it – it doesn't get as thick but tastes great.
❓ Can I use this caramel for cheesecake topping?
Absolutely – it's perfect for cheesecakes, pies, and drizzling over desserts.
❓ What if it's curdled?
Just keep stirring! A hand mixer or stand mixer works wonders to smooth it out completely.
❓ How many cans fit in a 6qt Instant Pot?
You can fit 2-3 cans comfortably on the trivet.
❓ Is this Dulce de Leche or caramel?
Technically it's Dulce de Leche, which is a type of caramel made by slowly heating sweetened condensed milk.
📄 Printable Recipe Card
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ INSTANT POT CARAMEL (DULCE DE LECHE) ║
║ 20 Gifts Ready in About 2 Hours! ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
YIELD: 20 jars | TIME: ~2 hours
INGREDIENTS:
- 20 cans (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract per can
- Optional: sea salt, apples for gifting
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Remove labels and lids from all cans. Cover tops securely with foil.
2. Place trivet in Instant Pot. Rest foil-wrapped cans on trivet.
3. Pour water on sides until cans are halfway submerged.
4. Cook at High Pressure for 40 minutes.
5. Quick release, carefully remove cans, rest 20 minutes.
6. Add vanilla, stir 2 minutes until smooth.
7. For large batches: dump all caramel in stand mixer and paddle until smooth.
8. Transfer to mason jars. Refrigerate.
9. Add gift tags and top with apples for presentation.
STORAGE: Up to 1 month refrigerated.
"20 gifts ready to go in about 2 hours!! Now to buy an apple for the top of each jar!" 🍏✨
⚠️ CRITICAL: NEVER cook a sealed can. Lids MUST be removed and covered with foil.
© CanningRebels — 20 Gifts of Instant Pot Caramel
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