Dulce de Leche Spread

This Dulce de Leche Spread is a silky, cheesecake-like dessert made with cream cheese and dulce de leche. Smooth, rich, and perfectly indulgent, it’s ideal for toast, pancakes, crepes, or as a sweet filling.

Hey, folks — today I’m sharing something irresistibly simple yet wonderfully luxurious. Although dulce de leche is already rich and caramel-like on its own, when you gently melt it together with cream cheese, it transforms into a smooth, cheesecake-style dessert spread. So, let’s dive into this Dulce de Leche Spread.

Why You’ll Love This Dulce de Leche Spread

• Silky Texture: Thanks to the cream cheese and gentle heating, this spread turns incredibly smooth and luscious.
• Cheesecake-Like Flavour: It tastes like a caramel cheesecake filling, but it spreads beautifully.
• Quick and Easy: The entire recipe comes together in under 10 minutes.
• Customizable: You can easily add vanilla, warm spices, nuts, chocolate, or sea salt flakes.
• Perfect for Desserts: It works wonderfully on toast, pancakes, waffles, crepes, or even as a cake filling.

Flavour and Texture Profile

This dessert spread is rich, creamy, and deeply caramel-forward. However, the cream cheese balances the sweetness with a subtle tang, which makes the flavour more complex and less cloying. The texture is smooth and velvety, almost like a soft cheesecake frosting. Moreover, once chilled, it thickens slightly while remaining perfectly spreadable.

Ingredients You’ll Need for This Dulce de Leche Spread

To make this Dulce de Leche Spread, you only need a handful of simple ingredients, each playing an important role in the final silky texture.

• Cream Cheese (150 g, room temperature): This creates the creamy, cheesecake-like base. Make sure it’s softened so it melts smoothly.
• Cream (2 tablespoons, 10% or 18%): Adds looseness and helps achieve a silky consistency. You can add a little more if you prefer a thinner spread.
• Dulce de Leche (½ to ⅔ cup): The star ingredient, so use a thick, good-quality dulce de leche for the richest caramel flavour. Adjust the amount depending on how sweet you’d like it.

Optional flavourings:

• Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances warmth and depth.
• Cinnamon or Cardamom (a pinch): Adds subtle spice and complexity.

Optional additions:

• Toasted Nuts (pecans, hazelnuts, almonds): Add crunch and contrast.
• Shaved Dark Chocolate: Introduces a slightly bitter note to balance sweetness.
• Sea Salt Flakes: Highlight the caramel flavour beautifully.

Possible Additions and Variations

• Thinner Version: Add an extra tablespoon or two of cream for a looser, sauce-like texture.
• Salted Caramel Style: Stir in a small pinch of sea salt for contrast.
• Nutty Twist: Fold in finely chopped toasted nuts for texture.
• Chocolate-Caramel Version: Mix in shaved dark chocolate while the mixture is still warm.
• Spiced Holiday Version: Add cinnamon, cardamom, or even a tiny pinch of nutmeg.

More Delicious Recipes

Are you looking for more fun dulce de leche recipes, like this Dulce de Leche Spread? Then be sure to check more recipes below:

• Dulce de Leche Martini – A Creamy Dessert Cocktail
• Creamy Dulce de Leche Coffee Cocktail
• Dulce de Leche Crêpe Bake with Pecans and Brandy
• Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls – A Decadent Twist on a Classic Snack
• Dulce de Leche Candied Pecans – Easy Stovetop Recipe
• Dulce de Leche French Toasts with Caramel Custard
• Peanut Butter Dulce de Leche Oatmeal with Vanilla
• Dulce de Leche Shortbread Bars (with Pecans and Cinnamon)

I’d love for you to try this Dulce de Leche Dessert Spread. If you give it a go, please share your results in the comments, message me on Instagram, or post your photos with the hashtag #havocinthekitchen. I look forward to seeing your creations and hearing your thoughts.

Cheers!

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Dulce de Leche Spread

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen

5.0 from 1 vote

Course: Sweet Spreads and Preserves

This Dulce de Leche Spread is rich, silky, and cheesecake-like, made with cream cheese for a smooth, indulgent dessert spread.

Servings

6-10

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooling time

30-40

minutes

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

• 150 gr. cream cheese, at room temperature

• 2 tbsp. cream 10 or 18%

• 1/2 to 2/3 cup dulce de leche

• optional flavorings: 1 tsp. vanilla extract, a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom

• optional additions: toasted nuts (pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, etc.) or shaved dark chocolate or a pinch of sea salt flakes

Directions

• In a small-medium thick-bottomed saucepan combine the softened cream cheese, dulce de leche, and cream over low-medium heat. Simmer for about 5-7 minutes, whisking constantly, until combined, smooth, and thickened. If desired, still in the additional flavourings like vanilla extract or cinnamon. You may add more cream, for a less thicker version, if decired.
• Off heat, transfer to a container or bowl and let it cool completely. If desired, garnish additionally with toasted and chopped nuts, chocolate, etc. Enjoy on a toast, with pancakes, crepes, etc. Keep refregirated.