Magic Caramel Pie

This Magic Caramel Pie recipe utilizes a unique cooking method to make a delicious, mouth-watering pie. It’s thick and rich and full of flavor. This no-bake caramel pie is a family favorite at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Transform your holiday feasts with this unforgettable Magic Caramel Pie!

There’s no need to heat up the oven – this creamy and luscious treat is made without baking.

With its thick, rich texture and sweet flavor profile, it’ll quickly become a beloved staple of family get-togethers during Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Disclosure – I may get a small commission for purchases made through links in this post.

Making Caramel in a can?

Have you ever heard of boiling an unopened can of sweetened condensed milk to make caramel?

n case this is your first time hearing about it, it really does work and it’s amazing! 

The caramel sauce is thick and rich. It would be perfect on ice cream, on top of a piece of cheesecake or in this Magic Caramel Pie.

The “magic” is in the cooking method. 

Now, if you look closely at the side of a can of sweetened condensed milk you may find some tiny print that says “Do not cook in unopened can” or something like that.

So I’m not telling you to cook in an unopened can.

I’m just sharing how I made this delicious and easy caramel pie.

You can make up your own mind if this recipe is something you want to attempt. 

Key to Success #1 – Keep It Covered

When you cook sweetened condensed milk in an unopened can, be sure to keep the cans completely covered with water at all times.

Ideally, you’ll want the cans to be covered by 2-3 inches of water.

Every 15-20 minutes, check the water level and add a little bit more if needed.

Just drizzle the additional water in the pot so that the temperature of the water won’t go down too much. 

I used a large stainless steel stock pot to boil my sweetened condensed milk. I didn’t have any problems keeping my cans covered with water.

A few tips – 

• Completely remove labels from cans before putting them in the water. 
• Place the cans on their sides so that they won’t make as much noise during cooking.
• Pull-tab cans are okay. They work just as well with this cooking method. 

To make Caramel Filling in the Instant Pot:

• Place sealed cans of sweetened condensed milk in the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
• Add water to cover 2/3 of the can.
• Set Instant Pot to High Pressure for 35 minutes. Set valve to sealing.
• When finished cooking, quick-release the pressure.
• Allow to cool completely before opening.

To make Caramel Filling in Crock Pot:

• Place sealed cans of sweetened condensed milk in the Crock Pot.
• Add water to completely cover the can.
• Cook on low for 8 hours.
• Allow cans to cool completely before opening.

Key to Success #2 – Count the Cans

For my caramel pie, I had a 9-inch graham cracker crust so I cooked three 14-oz cans of sweetened condensed milk.

This made a perfect full pie in the 9-inch pie pan.

If you are using a smaller pie pan, you may want to only cook two cans of sweetened condensed milk.

Or cook three and have an extra can of caramel sauce for something else. 

Key to Success #3 – Cool it, Cool it

After the cans of sweetened condensed milk have boiled for three hours, carefully remove the cans from the water and set them on a heat-proof surface to cool.

Be very careful – every part of the cans will be hot!

After the cans have cooled on the countertop for about an hour, they should be cool enough to safely open.

When you open the cans, the caramel will start oozing up so be ready to pour the caramel into another bowl when you start opening them.

Work fast – you don’t want to lose a drop of that deliciousness. 

Pour the caramel into a medium-sized bowl then stir in vanilla extract.

Continue stirring 2-3 minutes until the caramel is smooth and shiny then pour into graham cracker crust.

Cool the Magic Caramel Pie for at least 4 hours before adding the sweetened whipped cream.

Next time, I will put the whipped cream into a piping bag and pipe some pretty designs around the outside of the pie. 

This pie is easy to decorate and cuts beautifully so don’t be afraid to experiment with different decorating ideas. 

How long does condensed milk take to turn into caramel?

When placed in a pot of boiling water, sweetened condensed milk will turn into caramel in about 3 hours.

You can make the caramel quicker by putting it in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. If using the Instant Pot, a can of sweetened condensed milk will turn into caramel in 35 minutes.

You can make darker caramel by allowing the sweetened condensed milk to cook longer.

If you love caramel, you’ll love this easy caramel pie recipe.

I hope you’ll give the magic cooking method a try. You won’t believe your eyes!

Save this Caramel Pie recipe to your favorite Pie board or your Thanksgiving Dessert board!

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