Belizean Caramel Cake, aka ‘Milk Cake’

by Carolee Chanona
caramel cake belize milk condensed cake

Belizean Caramel Cake, or ‘Boil Milk Cake’, is a light and moist white cake that’s perfectly sweetened to celebrate any occasion! With a traditional white cake as the base, sweet and sticky caramel – also known as boil milk, or dulce de leche – makes each layer richer than the last. However, what makes this Belizean cake truly special is the ‘boil milk’, as known in Belize. The Caramel, Dulce de Leche, or Boil Milk is a popular confection in Latin America, found either homemade or store-bought.

How to ‘boil’ the Condense Milk into Caramel, or Dulce de Leche

© Simply Seasonal

While often found locally in stores labeled as caramel, grocery stores abroad will commonly carry it as ‘dulce de leche’. To learn it the traditional way, the first start with an (unopened) can of condensed milk. Now, there are a few options.

  1. Making dulce de leche in the oven– Pour the inside of the condensed milk can in an oven-proof pan, and bake over a water bath for about 2-3 hours, stirring in between, covered with foil, at 350F.
  2. Making dulce de leche on the stovetop– there are two ways to make dulce de leche on the stovetop with a sealed can of condensed milk.
    1. First is to use a pressure cooker, which is the fastest way. Place sealed can in a pressure cooker full of water, covering the can by at least 2 inches. Cook under pressure for 30 minutes. Let pressure release naturally and let the can and water both cool down all the way before removing and opening the can.
    2. If you just want to use a regular pot, make sure it’s a large pot of water, where the can will be submerged the whole time. Boil sealed can for about 2 1/2 hours. Let the can and water cool down all the way before removing and opening the can.
  3. Making dulce de leche in a slow cooker– Remove the label from the canned sweetened condensed milk and place the can on its side in a slow cooker. Cover with water, at least 2 inches above, on low for seven hours.

Regardless of the method you choose to make your Belizean boil milk, whether for cake or not, make sure to always let it cool down before handling it. Enjoy, and be sure to tag us at @CaribbeanLifestyle in your recipes on social media!

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