{"id":137,"date":"2026-03-31T10:03:40","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T16:03:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/?p=137"},"modified":"2026-03-31T10:03:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T16:03:40","slug":"cajeta-de-leche-costa-rican-milk-fudge-candy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/de\/2026\/03\/31\/cajeta-de-leche-costa-rican-milk-fudge-candy\/","title":{"rendered":"Cajeta de Leche (Costa Rican Milk Fudge Candy)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cajeta de Leche (Costa Rican Milk Fudge Candy)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #f5f5dc;padding: 20px;border-radius: 5px;margin: 20px 0\">\n    <aside>\n        <strong>Cajeta de leche (Costa Rican Milk Fudge Candy):<\/strong> a slow-cooked milk and sugar candy (similar to dulce de leche) scented with cinnamon and a touch of baking soda for a deeper color and smoother texture. Set in a tray to slice, or jar while warm as a spread.\n    <\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick details<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Prep:<\/strong> 5 minutes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cook:<\/strong> 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes (stirring often)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cool\/set:<\/strong> 1 to 2 hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Yield:<\/strong> about 700 g to 1 kg (varies with reduction)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ingredients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>2 liters <strong>whole milk<\/strong>, preferably filtered<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>700 g <strong>white sugar<\/strong> (about 1.5 lbs)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2 <strong>cinnamon sticks<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 pinch <strong>baking soda<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 tsp <strong>vanilla<\/strong> (extract or essence), optional<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Water, a splash (to dissolve the baking soda)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1656\" data-attachment-id=\"145\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/de\/2026\/03\/31\/cajeta-de-leche-costa-rican-milk-fudge-candy\/cajeta-de-leche-costa-rican-milk-fudge-candy\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cajeta-de-leche-costa-rican-milk-fudge-candy.png?fit=2048%2C1656&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"2048,1656\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Cajeta de Leche (Costa Rican Milk Fudge Candy)\" data-image-description=\"&lt;p&gt;Cajeta de Leche (Costa Rican Milk Fudge Candy)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-image-caption=\"&lt;p&gt;Cajeta de Leche (Costa Rican Milk Fudge Candy)&lt;\/p&gt;\n\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cajeta-de-leche-costa-rican-milk-fudge-candy.png?fit=1024%2C828&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cajeta-de-leche-costa-rican-milk-fudge-candy.png?resize=2048%2C1656&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-145\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Instructions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1) Prep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If needed, <strong>filter the milk<\/strong> to remove any impurities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the <strong>milk<\/strong>, <strong>sugar<\/strong>, and <strong>cinnamon sticks<\/strong> over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2) Slow cook (reduce)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bring to a gentle simmer over <strong>low heat<\/strong>, stirring frequently so it does not stick.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep cooking at a steady, low simmer for <strong>about 1 hour<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3) Add baking soda<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Dissolve the <strong>baking soda<\/strong> in a small splash of water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stir it into the pot carefully (it may foam briefly).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4) Finish cooking (thicken)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Continue cooking on <strong>low heat<\/strong> for <strong>45 to 90 minutes<\/strong>, stirring more and more often as it thickens.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The last hour is the most delicate: scrape the bottom and corners constantly with a <strong>wooden spoon<\/strong> to prevent lumps and burning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remove the cinnamon sticks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If using, stir in the <strong>vanilla<\/strong> at the end.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The cajeta is ready when it is <strong>very thick<\/strong>, pulls away from the pot, and a spoon dragged across the bottom leaves a line that closes slowly.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5) Cool and set (choose one)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>To slice:<\/strong> pour into a lightly greased tray or parchment-lined pan. Let cool completely, then cut into the desired shapes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>To jar\/spread:<\/strong> off the heat, keep stirring for <strong>10 to 15 minutes<\/strong> to cool slightly and thicken further, then pour into clean jars. Let cool before closing tightly.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Serving ideas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cut into small squares and serve with <strong>coffee<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use as a <strong>cake filling<\/strong> or swirl into <strong>ice cream<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spread on <strong>toast<\/strong> or sweet bread if jarred.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use a <strong>large pot<\/strong> to reduce boil-over risk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If it looks like it is sticking, <strong>lower the heat<\/strong> immediately and stir continuously.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cooking time varies with pot size and heat. The texture should guide you more than the clock.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cajeta de Leche (Costa Rican Milk Fudge Candy) Cajeta de leche (Costa Rican Milk Fudge Candy): a slow-cooked milk and sugar candy (similar to dulce de leche) scented with cinnamon and a touch of baking soda for a deeper color and smoother texture. Set in a tray to slice, or jar while warm as a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1078662,"featured_media":147,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[9680,9710,37532995,8481,8544,586,34635,8845,2832],"class_list":["post-137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-baking","tag-costa-rica","tag-costa-rican-cuisine","tag-dessert","tag-desserts","tag-food","tag-milk","tag-recipe","tag-recipes"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/ph9wUL-2d","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/cajeta-de-leche-costa-rican-milk-fudge-candy-featured.png?fit=1161%2C809&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1078662"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=137"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":148,"href":"https:\/\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137\/revisions\/148"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/147"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theartofcostarricancuisine.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}