I don’t typically post recipes. In fact, in 7 months of being on this blog, I have never posted a recipe. Until now. Tis the season for eating, after all. So I thought I’d share my fabulous fakeout – Caramel Pie! It’s creamy & yummy and sinfully calorie loaded. But, it IS the holidays after all. So…. wanna great recipe that your friends, family and co-workers will flip for? One that you only actually put three minutes worth of work into? Then this is your recipe!
You will need:
2 cans of Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
(will explain the brand name requirement in a moment)
1 graham cracker pie crust
1 bowl of whipped topping
Yeah, three ingredients!
First take the Eagle Brand milk and take off the labels. I suggest this brand because you have to scrub off ALL of the glue and it comes off in about 30 second for each can, if that long. Store brands will be a headache to get off — just spend the extra quarter and get the good stuff!
Put a dish towel into the bottom of a crock pot (or any slow cooker) and put the cans on top – leave them sealed! Fill to about 2-3 inches above the cans. Cook on high for 8 hours (either do it before you go to bed or to work, either way you won’t be there to wait for it to do it’s magic.)
After 8 hours, carefully take it out of the hot water and BE CAUTIOUS and open the can while they are hot. It has spewed on me before, just aim the can AWAY from you when you first punch through with the can opener.
Pour both cans into the pie shell and smooth out with a rubber spatula. Sit on the counter and let cool down for about an hour and then put into the fridge for 2 hours.
Once cool, add the whipped topping on and take all the credit for the best caramel pie your friends have ever eaten!
Yummy AND easy – what more could a girl ask for?
Isabella & Max Rooms says
November 20, 2009 at 1:48 amWhat, condensed milk becomes caramel pie? Shows how much I know about cooking…Janell
Reid says
November 20, 2009 at 2:12 amI don’t get it, but it looks great!!!! I can’t believe condensed milk becomes caramel!
I’m SO trying this this weekend
Nancy Marlow says
April 8, 2018 at 7:11 pmdoes work-have made it into caramel for years-try it you’ll like it
Gina Luker says
April 9, 2018 at 2:56 pm🙂
carolyn jorgensen says
August 25, 2018 at 2:07 pmyou can buy dulce de leche now
Gina Luker says
August 27, 2018 at 2:38 pmThanks Carolyn 🙂
Amber Redden says
December 24, 2018 at 7:54 amI accidentally set mine to warm overnight and I need the pie today is there anyway of fixing my mistake?!
Momtodaz says
February 16, 2019 at 4:50 pmI know this doesn’t help you now, but for future reference, you can boil the cans on the stove at a full rolling boil for three hours. Caution though, make sure to keep adding water to keep the cans covered at all times.
Alice S Heckel says
March 11, 2019 at 6:14 pmPut top on crock pot, right?
Gina Luker says
March 12, 2019 at 8:31 amYes Alice 🙂
Dixiejet says
November 20, 2009 at 2:22 amYes,it DOES become caramel…I’ve done this before but it never got to the pie crust !LOL! IT IS THAT GOOD !!!!
Deidre says
November 20, 2009 at 2:24 amI grew up on this “carmel” We always called it doo-up. I don’t know why but that’s just what it is to me. 🙂 haha It is FABULOUS on graham crackers any time of the year!
saraiwithani says
November 20, 2009 at 2:24 amNow, that’s the kind of recipe I’m talking about! Can’t wait to try this! Thanks for posting it!
Deidre says
November 20, 2009 at 2:28 amoh yeah..you definitely want to make sure that the cans stay COMPLETELY COVERED! I remember a time when mom accidently forgot and it exploded. Imagine carmel in the ceiling fan, behind the fridge, behind the stove, inside the range fan, all over the ceiling under the cabinets. BAD situation. had to paint the walls again, redo the ceiling…..haha
Tonya says
November 22, 2018 at 2:57 amThe same thing happened to me. I feel asleep and didn’t add water and an explosion happened in the kitchen. I walked in as the last one was exploding and got burnt in several spots. Imagine hot exploding caramel landing on your skin… huge blisters. And the same effect you had. Caramel covered kitchen. We found caramel a year later when pulling out the stove. Moral of the story make sure they are covered. Actually making 3 press right now. Wide awake at 4 am. Happy Thanksgiving
Heather@PixieDust says
November 20, 2009 at 2:30 amyum!! eagle brand does turn into a great caramel. you can also pour the can into a pie plate and bake for an hour to get the caramel if you don’t have a slow cooker or are pressed for time.
Shelia says
November 20, 2009 at 2:30 amOh, cheating never tasted so good! 🙂
Be a sweetie,
shelia 😉
Christina Rodrigues says
November 20, 2009 at 2:31 amhi Gina!how yummy 🙂
i’m thinking about baking a pie for Thanksgiving this year..hopefully i don’t burn the house down 😉
Grace @ Ruby Moon Designs says
November 20, 2009 at 3:00 amLooks delish! Can’t wait to try it out! Mmmm, mmmm, yummy!
-Grace
Beth says
November 20, 2009 at 3:14 amOoh, I’m going to try this one! Sounds so yummy! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Geezees Geezees Custom Canvas Art says
November 20, 2009 at 3:32 amOMG…that looks so delicious!!!!
I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Kathryn @ Bonafide Southern says
November 20, 2009 at 4:38 amOh, yum…this looks sooo good! I’ve just got to try this!
Chany Tzera says
November 20, 2009 at 5:29 amQUE RICO HUMMMM, cHANY
{ L } says
November 20, 2009 at 5:42 amOh! I’m SO excited. I just got the package I ordered from your etsy store in the mail today! It was one of the nicest packages I’ve ever received and now I want to go buy something else just to replay my delight in opening it. 🙂 You had so many details covered from the kind note to the fun wrapping. And thank you for the sheet music extra goodie!! Perfect for Christmas. I’m very happy and excited about it all. <3
And…that pie sounds amazing! 😉
Stephanie Lynn says
November 20, 2009 at 6:32 amUmm, Can you say YUMMY? So filing this recipe away! Thanks!!!
PlantSomeRoots@Lakewood says
November 20, 2009 at 12:03 pmHuh! And just when you think you’ve heard it all! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Living it up at Lakewood,
Cindy
The White Farmhouse says
November 20, 2009 at 2:08 pmI have done this and used it for a dip for apples. I boil a couple of cans and put in the cupboard. It lasts forever! The trick is that you HAVE to use the eagle brand. For some reason the others won’t carmelize.
Pam says
November 20, 2009 at 2:13 pmYummy..sounds great and I am all about easy!
Judy @ In His Grip says
November 20, 2009 at 2:48 pmThis is great! It is going on my menu for Thanksgiving, yeah!
Lynda @ SportsMadGirl says
November 20, 2009 at 4:05 pmThat is COOL!! I had no idea that condensed milk could turn into caramel. That is a MUST try!! Thanks for posting.
Sandy says
November 20, 2009 at 5:29 pmThat’s how O’Charlie’s makes their famous caramel pie with Eagle brand condensed milk. Except they put chocolate chips and nuts on top of the cool whip, It’s so yummo!!
Cass @ That Old House says
November 20, 2009 at 5:58 pmBrilliant. Dulce de leche in the crockpot! It also makes a killer ice cream topping.
Ummm… I should never read blogs when I am hungry.
Cass
Wendy McDonagh-Valentine says
November 20, 2009 at 8:13 pmWhat a cool recipe!! How in the world do people come up with this stuff?!!? Thanks for sharing it with us. I just bought a new crock pot. I think I’m going to try this. You have me very curious about the taste!! 🙂
~ Wendy
http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Ana says
November 20, 2009 at 9:34 pmHi Gina,
This is certainly my kind of recipe…that’s what I’m talking about. Little time, effort, ingrediants and a scrumdiddlyumptious outcome.:-) Thanks for sharing your sercret. Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,
♥Ana
Sharon says
November 20, 2009 at 10:30 pmHELP … I don’t have a slow cooker (there is only me) … so you can pour 2 cans into a graham wafer crust and cook for an hour … or boil the cans … for how long?
Jennifer from WI says
November 20, 2009 at 11:12 pmI have made this dessert using your method a number of times, but I put a layer of sliced bananas on the bottom of the pie shell and then spead the caramel on top. We call it banoffee. Plenty of whipped cream on top too! Happy Thanksgiving!
The Lazy Peacock says
November 21, 2009 at 12:03 amthat is just fascinating! i have never heard of such a thing, but now i want to give it a try. thanks for sharing it!
Brenda says
November 21, 2009 at 12:33 amI had this very similar dessert at an upper-class restaurant my daughter took me to for my birthday. She bartered with the cook whom she babysat for and asked if she could take me there in lieu of cash.
The cook rolled out the red carpet for us and gave us a meal I’ll probably never see the likes of again! We were full after the appetizers. He just kept telling us to order more! Then he brought out this warm caramel dessert (and told us it was made with sweetened cond. milk). We were his taste-testers because it wasn’t on the menu yet.
All that to say, Delish!
~ RM says
November 21, 2009 at 5:38 amAre you KIDDING me?!? How did I not know about this before? I have to try this asap! I am baking the desserts for a family pot luck Thanksgiving, and this one would be the easiest! OH, I gotta sample this pie this weekend! Thankyou so much for sharing!
laurie @ bargain hunting says
November 22, 2009 at 5:06 amOh, I am so going to make this! What fun! Thanks for sharing the recipe. (I may not tell anyone how easy it is when I get all of those compliments!) laurie
Jean says
November 22, 2009 at 1:37 pmWe have had boiled Eagle Brand for years. We eat a spoonful on a slice of pineapple and a dab of fresh whipped cream. Yummy! Jean
Terry says
November 22, 2009 at 4:03 pmThat pie looks so yummy!!!
Katherine says
November 23, 2009 at 5:33 pmMade this for a work potluck lunch today. LOVE IT!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Carol says
November 24, 2009 at 3:03 pmI am making this for Thanksgiving! Thank you!
Tammy@InStitches says
November 25, 2009 at 3:09 pmI’m making this today, it looks yummy !
Kathi says
March 24, 2011 at 3:45 amI’ve been making this for over 20 years and have learned a few things. You can also cook it in a saucepan on the stove top for 4 1/2 hours or in the pressure cooker for 40 minutes. I have never had even the slightest bulge in any can. Fabulous variations include a layer of drained and chopped canned apple pie filling in the bottom, a layer of chopped nuts or shaved chocolate. Sprinkle some additional on top if you like. This is to die for!
Kristen says
April 11, 2014 at 11:22 pmI hope the towel isn’t a major significance, I forgot to put it in! I guess time will tell! It’s made it about 5 hours so far without it.
Lisa says
October 7, 2019 at 10:22 amDoes the pie cut well? Hold it’s shape when sliced, I have made the Carmel for a cake filling, I’m guessing in the fridge forms it up?
Gina Luker says
October 7, 2019 at 10:45 amYes, Lisa it does form up in the fridge, make sure it has plenty of time before cutting into it 🙂
Debbie VonTrott says
November 21, 2019 at 9:36 amI’m in-charge of the deserts for Thanksgiving this year. On the
“Family Thanksgiving” text messages, I was asked to make the caramel pie that I’ve been making for years.
However, I use the boiling water method but, may just try the crock pot method this time. Thanks.
Gina Luker says
November 21, 2019 at 3:36 pmYou are so very welcome Debbie, I hope you like it!
Andi says
May 22, 2020 at 10:44 amCan you make these in muffin cups or ramikins if I cook it on stove top then put ramikins in fridge? Would I be able to get them out?
Will it set up to cover apples?
Have you tried salt with it?
Gina Luker says
May 22, 2020 at 6:09 pmI don’t know to be honest Andi, I’ve never tried it.
Nancy Weeks says
June 7, 2020 at 9:31 pmAt every store the sweetened condensed milk has pop tops. Is it ok to use them in the crock pot as well as boiling it?
Gina Luker says
June 8, 2020 at 8:35 pmI would think so Nancy but I have not tried it so cannot say 🙂