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Dulce de Leche Ice Cream Recipe

5 from 69 reviews

Creamy and indulgent Dulce de Leche Ice Cream made with a luscious combination of heavy cream, whole milk, and rich dulce de leche swirled throughout. This homemade treat offers a smooth, velvety texture with a perfect balance of sweetness and caramel flavor, ideal for satisfying your dessert cravings.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 (13.4 oz) can dulce de leche (store bought or homemade)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

For Swirling

  • About ¼ cup extra dulce de leche (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Heat the mixture: In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, whole milk, dulce de leche, and salt. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently until the dulce de leche is fully melted and the mixture forms a smooth consistency. Be sure not to let it boil to maintain the best texture.
  2. Chill the base: Remove the saucepan from heat and transfer the mixture into a large bowl. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least six hours, preferably overnight, to thoroughly chill the mixture before churning.
  3. Churn the ice cream: Pour the chilled mixture into your ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s directions. This process usually takes between 20 to 25 minutes until the ice cream reaches a soft-serve consistency.
  4. Layer and swirl: Spread half of the churned ice cream evenly into a loaf pan or an ice cream container. Spoon several dollops of the extra dulce de leche over the ice cream and gently swirl using a knife or spatula. Add the remaining ice cream on top and swirl in more dulce de leche to create beautiful ribbons of caramel flavor.
  5. Freeze until firm: Cover the container with a lid or plastic wrap and freeze the ice cream for at least 4 hours to allow it to firm up to scoopable consistency.
  6. Serve and enjoy: Once firm, scoop the ice cream into serving cups or cones and enjoy the rich, creamy flavors of homemade dulce de leche ice cream.

Notes

  • Do not allow the mixture to boil during heating, as this can adversely affect the texture of the ice cream.
  • For best results, chill the mixture overnight to ensure proper temperature before churning.
  • If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can freeze the mixture in a container and stir every 30 minutes until firm, although texture may differ slightly.
  • Store leftover ice cream covered in the freezer for up to two weeks for optimal freshness.
  • You can use homemade dulce de leche or a high-quality store-bought version based on preference.

Keywords: dulce de leche ice cream, homemade ice cream, caramel ice cream, creamy dessert, Latin American dessert