dulce de leche

[duhl-sey duh le-chey]

noun

Latin-American Cooking.

1. a thick, sweet sauce made by slowly cooking sweetened milk over low heat until it caramelizes and reduces.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dulce de leche¹

First recorded in 1875–80; from Spanish: literally, “sweet of milk”; dulce “sweet” (from Latin dulcis; dulcet ) + de de + leche “milk” (from Latin lac; lacto- )

Example Sentences

Flavors include the classic chocolate chip cookie elevated with brown butter, bittersweet chocolate chips and flaky salt; “the Jammy” made with vanilla cookie dough and stuffed with a mixed berry jam; and “El Churro,” cinnamon-sugar dough stuffed with dulce de leche.

From Salon

The cake contains a double chocolate ganache, dark chocolate sponge and a layer of dulce de leche - a caramel made of butter, milk and sugar with extra cream which is popular in Latin America.

From BBC

You’re in luck for spring thanks to L.A. brand Tower 28, which recently released its LipSoftie Lip Treatment in five flavors: Watermelon Kiwi, Blood Orange Vanilla, Dulce de Leche, SOS Vanilla and Ube Vanilla.

From Los Angeles Times

Milei, who once called the pope an “imbecile,” gave Francis some of his favorite Argentine dulce de leche alfajor cookies and lemon biscuits.

From Seattle Times

More than a century ago, the story goes, the wife of poet José Gálvez Barrenechea made him a custard similar to dulce de leche and topped it with meringue.

From Seattle Times