Irresistible Dulce de Leche Milkshakes with Creamy Coconut Milk Whipped Topping: A Perfect Cinco de Mayo Treat

Dulce De Leche Milkshakes with Coconut Milk Whipped Cream, a perfect sweet treat for Cinco de Mayo celebrations or any warm day.

Happy almost Cinco de Mayo, and welcome to a weekend of delicious celebrations! I’m thrilled to join a talented group of food bloggers today to bring you a delightful round-up of Mexican-inspired culinary delights. To kick things off, I’m sharing my absolute favorite way to cool down and indulge: rich Dulce De Leche Milkshakes, crowned with a light and fluffy Coconut Milk Whipped Cream. Imagine a luxuriously sweet caramel milkshake, perfectly balanced by the subtle tropical notes of coconut. This creamy concoction isn’t just a dessert; it’s a soothing companion, expertly designed to cool your palate after savoring the vibrant heat of spicy salsa or succulent carnitas. They say dairy is ideal for tempering the spice of a meal, and honestly, who could argue with the comforting embrace of a caramel milkshake?

Two glasses of Dulce De Leche Milkshakes, beautifully layered and ready to be enjoyed, showcasing the rich caramel color.

My connection to Mexican culture and cuisine dates back to my high school years, where I enthusiastically studied Spanish for four impactful years. Those years were filled with vibrant class fiestas, exciting trips to local Mexican restaurants, and even the fun tradition of choosing our own Spanish names – I proudly went by Catalina. One of the annual highlights was, of course, celebrating Cinco de Mayo. While many mistakenly associate it with Mexican Independence Day, it’s actually a celebration of a significant military victory, a testament to resilience and spirit. During these celebrations, we indulged in classic Mexican fare: crispy chips and salsa, fluffy rice, savory beans, and delicious tacos. However, to my enduring regret, I don’t recall many dulce de leche treats making an appearance. This was truly a missed opportunity, as anyone who has tasted dulce de leche knows it’s an utterly amazing, deeply satisfying sweet indulgence that complements so many dishes, especially after a spicy meal. This milkshake is my way of bringing that missing sweetness to the Cinco de Mayo festivities!

A close-up of a Dulce de Leche Milkshake, with a spoon revealing the thick, creamy texture and a generous swirl of coconut whipped cream on top.

So, what exactly is dulce de leche? In its simplest form, it’s a rich, creamy confection made by slowly heating sweetened milk until it caramelizes, transforming into a thick, golden-brown spread with an intensely sweet and nutty flavor profile. It’s a beloved staple in Latin American desserts, adding depth and luxuriousness to everything from cakes and cookies to ice cream and, of course, milkshakes. While you can certainly find ready-made jars in most grocery stores, did you know that making your own dulce de leche at home is surprisingly simple and far more rewarding (and often less expensive)? Thanks to fantastic guides like Baker’s Royale’s comprehensive instructions, all you really need is a can of sweetened condensed milk and a little patience. The easiest and, frankly, least intimidating method involves pouring the condensed milk into a baking dish, placing that dish into a larger pan (creating a water bath), and baking it slowly in the oven. This gentle heat transformation yields a consistently smooth, rich dulce de leche without the worry of explosions or messy cleanups that can sometimes accompany the method of boiling unopened cans. Trust me, baking it in the oven is the way to go for a perfect, fuss-free result every time.

A glass of Dulce de Leche Milkshake showing a slight overflow of whipped cream, a relatable kitchen moment.

Now, a word of friendly advice born from personal experience: when assembling your glorious Dulce de Leche Milkshakes, exercise a little restraint with the fill line! It’s incredibly tempting to pour the milkshake right up to the brim of your glass, but remember that the decadent coconut milk whipped cream needs its own space. I’m recalling a rather frustrating milkshake photoshoot from earlier this month, where, as you can plainly see by the minor (okay, major!) mess on the glass, my milkshakes enthusiastically overflowed. After about ten paper towels and the unfortunate demise of a tablecloth, I decided to embrace the imperfections and carry on. After all, haven’t we all made little kitchen blunders? The beauty of homemade treats often lies in their charmingly rustic imperfections. These slight overflows are just proof that real people are making real, delicious food, and sometimes, enthusiasm gets the better of us. Despite the slight mess, the flavor was absolutely divine, proving that a little mishap can’t spoil a great milkshake.

Dulce De Leche Milkshakes

Yield:
2 servings

Rich and creamy Dulce De Leche Milkshakes topped with light, fluffy Coconut Milk Whipped Cream – a perfect dairy-free friendly indulgence.

Ingredients

One (13.5 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk, chilled overnight
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 cups vanilla ice cream (dairy or non-dairy, depending on preference)
1 cup dulce de leche*

Instructions

Open the chilled can of coconut milk. Carefully scoop out the thick, solid white part that has separated and risen to the top, placing it into a mixing bowl. Be sure to avoid incorporating any of the clear liquid at the bottom. Add the granulated sugar to the solid coconut cream. Using an electric mixer, beat for several minutes on high speed until stiff peaks form (when you lift the beaters straight up, the peaks should hold their shape without collapsing). Set the coconut whipped cream aside.
With the remaining coconut liquid from the can, measure out exactly 1/2 cup. If there is any leftover liquid, you can save it for another use, such as smoothies or curries.
In a powerful blender, combine the measured 1/2 cup coconut liquid, the vanilla ice cream, and the dulce de leche. Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, with no lumps remaining. Pour the finished milkshake into your prepared serving glasses. Generously top each milkshake with the reserved coconut milk whipped cream. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

*If you opt to make homemade dulce de leche from sweetened condensed milk, one standard 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk will yield a little over 1 cup of rich dulce de leche, which is the perfect amount for this recipe.

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If you’re as enchanted by the rich flavors of dulce de leche and coconut as I am, and particularly if you enjoyed these Dulce De Leche Milkshakes with Coconut Milk Whipped Cream, you’ll definitely want to explore these other fantastic recipes. They share similar flavor profiles or are simply wonderful dessert options that pair well with any festive meal:

Collection of dessert images: Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes, German Chocolate Cake Sandwich Cookies, Brown Sugar Cinnamon Coconut Cookies.

Award-Winning Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes: A perfect blend of rich chocolate and tropical coconut.
Award-Winning German Chocolate “Cake” Sandwich Cookies: All the classic flavors of German chocolate cake in a convenient cookie form.
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Coconut Cookies: Warm, spiced, and delightfully chewy with a hint of coconut.

A festive banner showcasing various Cinco De Mayo recipes, encouraging readers to explore more dishes.

As I mentioned earlier, this Dulce de Leche Milkshake recipe is part of a wonderful collaboration! I’ve teamed up with other talented food bloggers to help you craft an unforgettable Cinco de Mayo menu. From savory tacos to other sweet delights, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. Explore these incredible recipes and get inspired for your celebration:

Alfajores from Roxana’s Home Baking
Spicy Fish Tacos with Avocado Yogurt Sauce from Crumb Blog
Classic Flan from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Dulce de Leche Milkshake with Coconut Milk Whipped Cream from Chocolate Moosey (that’s this delicious recipe!)
Shrimp and Avocado Ceviche from Magnolia Days
Tropical Fiesta Cocktail from Hungry Couple NYC
Paletas – Mexican Popsicles from Pineapple and Coconut
Gluten Free Tres Leches Cake from Kelly Bakes
Gorditas with Picadillo from Juanita’s Cocina
Strawberry Margarita Slurpee from Chocolate Chocolate and More

Whether you’re celebrating Cinco de Mayo, hosting a summer party, or simply craving a truly special sweet treat, these Dulce de Leche Milkshakes with Coconut Milk Whipped Cream are guaranteed to impress. The creamy texture, rich caramel flavor, and tropical coconut notes create a harmonious blend that’s both comforting and invigorating. Don’t let the idea of homemade dulce de leche scare you; it’s a simple process that elevates this milkshake to a whole new level. So, gather your ingredients, blend up a batch, and prepare to delight your taste buds. Enjoy the festivities, the flavors, and the joy of creating something truly delicious!