Salted caramel hot chocolate is a rich and delicious twist on the classic winter beverage. This recipe is made on the stovetop in 15 minutes and includes a simple homemade caramel sauce.
Heather's recipe summary
Flavor/texture: Rich and smooth hot chocolate is sweetened with a homemade salted caramel sauce and topped with mini marshmallows.
Quick and easy: Made on the stovetop in about 15 minutes!
Serves: 4 to 5 people
Similar to: Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate and Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
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Ingredients and substitutions
- Milk - Whole milk is best for ideal flavor and texture, but any milk (like 1% or almond milk) will work in this recipe. Keep in mind that lower fat milks will result in a thinner hot chocolate.
- Chocolate - Chopped baking chocolate can be substituted with semi-sweet chocolate chips if desired. I don't recommend using milk chocolate because your hot cocoa can turn out overly sweet.
- Butter - Salted or unsalted butter works in this recipe.
How to make salted caramel hot chocolate
- Add caramel ingredients and whisk until melted and smooth. Continue whisking and bring to a simmer, cooking until sauce has thickened slightly.
- Add milk and chopped chocolate.
- Whisk until chocolate has melted.
- Continue cooking until hot chocolate is heated to your liking. Remove from heat and serve.
Tips and tricks
Reserve caramel sauce - Optionally, reserve two tablespoons of the caramel sauce to use as a garnish for your mugs of hot chocolate.
Turn the heat down to avoid scorching - If any part of the recipe begins to scorch on the bottom of the pan, your heat is too high. Turn the heat down. Whisk continuously to ensure ingredients don't stick or burn.
Use quality chocolate - Baking chocolate has a purer chocolate flavor, higher cocoa butter content, and melts easily. While chocolate chips can work in this recipe, they're made with added stabilizing ingredients to hold their shape, which results in a slightly reduced chocolate flavor that's harder to melt.
Frequently asked questions
Marshmallows, chocolate shavings, whipped cream, a small candy cane, caramel drizzle, and sea salt all make great garnishes for your salted caramel hot chocolate.
Baking chocolate, cooking chocolate, or baker's chocolate can be found in the baking aisle of your local grocery store. It's often found near the chocolate chips and is sold in 4 ounce bars. The most common brand I've found is Baker's, which can also be purchased on Amazon: Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Premium Baking Bar with 56% Cacao, 4 oz Box
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📖 Recipe
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
Hot chocolate
- ½ cup (106 g) brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 ¾ cups (850 g) milk, divided
- 4 ounces (170 g) semi-sweet baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup mini marshmallows, optional
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, add brown sugar, butter, salt, and ¼ cup of milk. Stir until ingredients have melted and incorporated. Bring to a simmer and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until caramel has thickened slightly.
- Optionally, reserve 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce to use as a topping.
- Add remaining milk and chopped chocolate to the saucepan of caramel. Whisk to incorporate, and continue stirring until chocolate has melted. Tiny bits of chocolate may be visible in your hot chocolate - this is normal.
- Warm for another 1-2 minutes, or until hot chocolate is heated to your liking. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Equipment Recommendations
Notes
- Can I use chocolate chips? Yes, chopped chocolate can be substituted with chocolate chips if desired.
- To make dairy-free: Use your favorite dairy-free milk, like almond milk or oat milk, and check the ingredients of your baking chocolate to ensure it's dairy-free (several Baker's brand baking chocolates are made without dairy).
- Storage: Leftover hot chocolate will keep for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and can be warmed on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave in individual mugs. Give your cocoa a stir to reincorporate any separated chocolate.
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