Instant Pot Dulce de Leche Caramel is a delicious, easy to make, caramel like confection that makes a sweet dip for apples, a cheesecake topping, a cake filling, or coffee stir-in!
Put the trivet in the inner stainless pot of the pressure cooker.
Pour 5 cups of water into the pot. If you are using a larger or smaller pressure cooker, you will need to increase or decrease the amount of water. You will want the water to come up most of the way, to just under the metal ring of the lid on the jars.
Open the can of sweetened condensed milk (SCM) using a can opener. Pour the SCM into the jars, dividing equally.
Put the lids on the jars, and twist to close just "finger tight." You don't want to tighten the lids too much at this point in the process.
Put the jars in the pot, setting them on the trivet/rack, not touching each other or the pot. Make sure the water level comes to just below the lid rings.
Close the lid and seal the vent. Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, and then the +/- button or dial to select 35 minutes (25 minutes for a lighter result. 40-45 minutes for a darker result), and make sure it is set to High Pressure.
After cooking time has ended, turn off the pot so it doesn't switch to the warm setting. Unplug it if necessary.
Let the pot do a full Natural Release, and do not disturb the jars until they (and the water) have cooled completely. This helps reduce the possibility of any jars breaking. It can happen, as it might in actual canning.
After the water and jars have cooled completely, remove from the pot to a towel to dry the jar.
Open one up and sample the goodness! If the texture is not as creamy as you'd like, just stir it with a fork really well or whisk it. Whisk in the vanilla if using.
Keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, if it lasts that long! These make a cute gift, packaged with an apple for dipping! Spread over a cheesecake, add a dollop to a cup of coffee, or serve on ice cream! Or, eat it right out of the jar with a spoon!
You can make Dulce de Leche directly in the can if you like.
*If you make it directly in the cans you can make more, using multiple cans.
Store in the refrigerator in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.