Caramel is a staple in a vast array of desserts, so it’s a must-have for any real dessert-lover. While you can easily buy caramel at the store, you can also make your own at home, and it’s surprisingly easy to do.

All you need to make caramel at home is a can of sweetened condensed milk, one for each can of caramel you need to make, and a large, deep pot of hot water. To start with, remove the label and stick the cans in the pot, making sure they’re completely covered with water before bringing it to a simmer.

It’s CRUCIAL that you make sure that the cans don’t open while in the pot, as they could possibly explode. Once you’ve completed the above steps, just sit back and relax while you let everything simmer for three hours. You should be sure to check the pot regularly to make sure everything is still covered.

When the cans are done cooking, leave them to cool overnight for at least six to eight hours. When you’re ready to start baking, just open your can, and you’ll find fresh caramel inside. It really is that simple!

Caramel is just technically heated sugar with butter or milk added in. Since condensed milk is really just sugar and milk, this cooking-in-a-can works perfectly.

This trick can save you tons of money, as it’s much cheaper than buying caramel in the store. We encourage you to try this out for yourself, and let us know how it goes in the comments section.