What is the Difference Between Dulce de Leche and Caramel?
The differences are that Dulce de Leche is from Latin America and is made with milk, sugar and vanilla, while Caramel is made with sugar, butter and cream.
A major difference between Dulce de Leche and Caramel is that Dulce de Leche has a thinner consistency than Caramel. Both of these toppings have the same sweet flavor profile but have different consistencies, which gives them different uses.
What is Dulce de Leche?
Dulce de leche (or dulce de leite, dulce de leche is the most accepted form) is a confectionery made from milk, sugar and vanilla or other flavorings. It is a very common dessert in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. It is also found in other Latin American countries, as well as Portuguese cuisine.
Dulce de leche was invented in the 19th century by Nepalese soldiers who cooked condensed milk over a campfire.
What is Caramel?
A caramel is a sweet food made by cooking sugar with heat. Caramel is commonly used for coating desserts, such as tarts, strudel, cakes, and ice cream.
The first caramel sauce was probably made in the late 18th century in France. It entered English cuisine around 1735 and was on tables of the wealthy as a sauce for puddings.
What is Dulce de Leche Commonly Used For?
Dulce de Leche is commonly used as a topping or filling for different types of cake, bread and pastries. Dulce de leche is also the main ingredient in a traditional Latin American drink named “Flan”. According to Wikipedia “The consistency of dulce de leche is reminiscent of caramel, but it doesn’t contain any dairy products and its flavor is more subtle.
What is Caramel Commonly Used For?
Caramel is used mainly for coating desserts, such as tarts, strudel, cakes and waffles. As a topping of ice cream and mousse. Sometimes caramel is also used in sweet sauces and toffee bars as well as other dessert confections.
Bottom Line
Caramel is a thicker confectionery that is made with condensed milk, sugar and other ingredients while dulce de leche has a thinner consistency than caramel. Both of these toppings have the same sweet flavor profile but have different consistencies, which gives them different uses.
Dulce de leche is from Latin America and it is made with milk, sugar and vanilla, while Caramel is traditionally made with sugar, butter and cream.