A Glug of Oil

Easy and delicious recipes including midweek dinner ideas, English and world cuisine.

Dulce de Leche - Muffins

Easy Muffins Recipe with Caramel

There are muffins and then there are MUFFINS! 

The plan is to cram as much caramel (Dulce de Leche) into each muffin as you possibly can!

Muffins filled with dulce de leche.

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*Post updated January 2023

Is dulce de leche the same as caramel?

As we know, caramel is simply water and sugar simmered until it caramelises. Dulce de leche (Leche meaning milk if you know your Spanish) is made by really slowly simmering milk and sugar or sweetened condensed milk.

What can I substitute for dulce de leche?

A good and cheaper substitute is to use a can of Carnation (brand) caramel.

Can you make dulce de leche at home?

Yes, you can. If you Google, you'll find numerous articles on the net on how to make dulce de leche by boiling a can of regular sweetened condensed milk.

But I don't think I'll attempt it, because I have read that you must keep the can covered with water otherwise the can might well explode!

Can you imagine, the kitchen ceiling covered with Dulce de Leche 😨

Also, it takes about 3 hours to become that lovely caramel colour. So I say forget it, for goodness sake just go out and buy a can!

Plus I've read that boiling an 'opened' tin can to make dulce de leche can be unsafe for some reason or another, who knows? But I'm not going to be doing it.

I've used Dulce de Leche in a recipe before when I made Caramelita Ice Cream Sundae. 😋

What's the difference between vanilla extract and vanilla essence?

Use vanilla extract every time, because the difference is huge. Okay, there's a big price difference but there is no contest as it is far superior to vanilla essence. A bottle will last ages.

Vanilla extract is usually a natural product made by soaking vanilla pods in a mixture of ethyl alcohol and water.

Vanilla essence is usually synthetic, for example (chemically produced) vanilla flavouring and is far cheaper than the natural extract but tastes and smells nowhere near as good as the proper stuff.

Equipment

12-hole muffin tray

a wooden spoon

Ingredients

  • 250g plain flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ a teaspoon of bicarbonate soda
  • 2 tablespoons best quality cocoa
  • 175g caster sugar
  • 250ml milk
  • 90ml vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract

For the filling

  • 450g jar of Dulce de leche (you'll only use half the jar) or, you could use a 397g tin of Carnation Caramel

If you like muffins but aren't keen on Dulce de Leche you might prefer Nigella Lawson's Chocolate Chip Muffins.

Muffins filled with dulce de leche.


Have you tried this recipe?
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easy muffins recipe, dulce de leche, caramel muffins
baking, snacks,
American
Yield: 12
Author: Jan Bennett
Easy Muffins Recipe with Dulce de Leche

Easy Muffins Recipe with Dulce de Leche

Always try to use vanilla extract rather than vanilla essence, you'll really notice the difference in flavour.
Prep time: 6 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 26 Min

Ingredients

  • 250g plain flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ a teaspoon of bicarbonate soda
  • 2 tablespoons best quality cocoa
  • 175g golden caster sugar
  • 250ml milk
  • 90ml vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
For the filling
  • 450g jar of Dulce de leche (you'll only use half the jar) or, you could use a 397g tin of Carnation Caramel

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F or Gas 6
  1. Put the muffin cases into a 12-hole muffin tray. Weigh out the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
  2. Pour all the liquid ingredients into a measuring jug.
  3. Now mix the liquids into the mixing bowl and mix it all together using a wooden spoon until you have a runny lump-free batter.
  4. Spoon the batter equally into the muffin cases.
  5. Put into a preheated oven to cook for 20 minutes or until the muffins are risen and springy - check after 18 minutes.
  6. It's best to put this filling in while the muffins are still hot since it then melts and gets right into the middle of the muffin.
  7. Using a long thin sharp knife, carefully make a hole in each muffin and use a teaspoon to fill each muffin with Dulce de leche.
  8. Put each muffin after filling it onto a wire rack and leave them to cool, or be cheeky and eat one while it's still warm!
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4 comments

  1. I adore dulche de leche! These look so tempting!

    ReplyDelete
  2. My goodness, they look so indulgent and gorgeous. I must say that pic is perfect too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. These look delicious! Do you think I could try them using a gluten-free flour?

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a lovely recipe! I've always liked the taste of dulche de leche, yummm can't wait to try this! x

    ReplyDelete

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Jan