Tips for Using Dulce De Leche in Desserts

Dulce de leche, or candy of milk, is a rich and caramel like smooth sweet made from sweetened condensed milk. It is soft yet highly noticeable in taste, smooth and indulgent on the tongue, creamy and thick in texture and compliments nearly everything. This Spanish and Mexican treat, truly tempts and satisfies every pallet. Using dulce de leche in desserts can give an added and unexpected element of flavor.

A great way to use dulce de leche in desserts is as a topping sauce. This can be used for ice cream sundays alone or along with any variety of other toppings and sauces. It compliments every flavor of ice cream, from vanilla to candy infused flavors and especially coffee flavored varieties of ice cream. Dulce de leche can be used over a small scoop of ice cream, placed over a warm slice of pie for a new and savory twist on an old favorite dessert.

When chilled, dulce de leche becomes thicker in consistency and can be used as a spread. This dulce de leche spread is excellent for spreading onto flavored tea crackers and serving with dessert tea for an elegant and simple dessert. The dulce de leche spread can also be used between cake layers for a sweet surprise that is sure to compliment any flavor. When placed between thin layers of chocolate cake, the combination can make for a very memorable chocolate torte. The possibilities for using a dulce de leche spread are endless.

Combining fresh fruits with dulce de leche results in great desserts. Dulce de leche can be used just as caramel can for dipping slices of apples and provides a smoother taste that compliments the natural flavors of the fruit rather than masking it. Another great way to use dulce de leche with fruits puts a very sweet twist on traditional chocolate covered strawberries. Simply dip whole fresh strawberries into dulce de leche prior to dipping them into dark chocolate. Allow the chocolate to harden and then dip just the tips into the dulce de leche again for a gourmet appeal.

Dulce de leche turns coffee into dessert, hot or cold. Using dulce de leche in place of sugar not only adds sweetness to the coffee but lends a richer taste as well. When topped with whipped cream and dusted with cocoa powder, the dulce de leche sweetened coffee becomes a decadent treat. The same is true when added to hot chocolate or a french vanilla dessert drink. Dulce de leche can also be blended together with either chocolate or coffee flavored ice cream and milk to create a one of a kind frappe that is sure to become a favorite.

Using dulce de leche in desserts is very easy and adds a savory uniqueness to every dish it is put into. The combinations and uses of dulce de leche in desserts are only as endless as your imagination.