Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix - Easy Recipes for Family Time - Seeded At The Table (2024)

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Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix - Easy Recipes for Family Time - Seeded At The Table (1)Struggling for a way to start this blog post, I typed "Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate" into my Google search tool to see if the results would inspire me. I bet you can guess the first item listed. That's right...a link to Starbucks' Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. And you know what that made me realize? Many of you are going to ask me if this mix will supply you with a homemade version of the coffee powerhouse's favorite hot cocoa drink. My answer? I have no idea.

I can hardly believe it myself, but I have never tried Starbucks' Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. I've heard of it many many times, from many many people, but it never occurred to me to order hot cocoa at a coffee shop. It is now at the top of my to do list.

Last month, I made a batch of this to use up at home so I could test it out before serving it in our holiday baskets. My mother-in-law was coming into town to watch Judah while Ben and I traveled to San Francisco for a few days, so I planned to make it while she was here. The night before we left for SanFran, I heated up a cup for the two of us. I thought it was a little too salty, even though I cut a tablespoon of the sea salt out of the original recipe. Interestingly enough, though, the subsequent times I made a drink (from the same batch) it wasn't too salty at all. Even-so, I still cut down the salt some more when putting together the next lot for the Christmas baskets.

I think Mama G had the same experience. If her first cup was too salty, it didn't seem to phase her. When we arrived home, we found her in the middle of heating up another tall glass of this hot cocoa. She had a few more servings during the next couple of days she was with us, and when she realized we forgot to pack up the rest of the mix for her to take home, she texted me and said "I wish I had brought the salted caramel cocoa." My response? "Haha! I know! I thought of it after you left! I'll have some tonight in your honor." 🙂

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix - Easy Recipes for Family Time - Seeded At The Table (2)You do need a food processor to make this, as it needs to pulverize the ingredients (including hard caramel) into a powder. One batch of this mix fills eight half-pint mason jars, which is enough to serve at least four people each jar. Below is a downloadable PDF of the labels I created for these jars. Print them on sticker paper, then affix to the lid. Perfect addition for a gift basket.

Click here for the downloadable jar labels picture above.

Click the image below for downloadable, printable labels created by Miranda, a talented Pennies on a Platter reader. Thanks, Miranda!

Recipe Card

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix - Easy Recipes for Family Time - Seeded At The Table (4)

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4.64 from 38 votes

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix

The slightly burnt caramel magically transforms this hot mix into a sweet and salty chocolaty drink.

Total Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings: 32 servings

Author: Nikki Gladd

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups good quality Dutch cocoa powder
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons fleur de sel or good sea salt (My preference is 1-tbsp)
  • 1 cup dry milk powder
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 10 ounces good quality bittersweet chocolate or chocolate chips

Instructions

  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Heat the 2 ½ cups granulated sugar in a large heavy pan, over medium heat, without stirring. When the sugar begins to melt, take the handle of the pan and swirl it to melt without burning. The sugar might seem to crystallize, but it will eventually melt to a deep amber color. (Can take 15-20 minutes, so be patient.)

  • Remove the pan from the heat and carefully add the vanilla. Whisk the caramel until smooth again, then immediately pour it onto the lined baking sheet. Allow it to spread without touching it. Set aside and let the caramel harden, at least 1 hour.

  • When ready to make the mix, use the back of a large spoon to tap the caramel several times into small broken pieces that can fit into the feeding tube of a large food processor. Turn the processor on, and while running, feed the caramel pieces into the tube so the processor pulverizes the caramel into a fine powder. Continue to add the pieces, a few at a time, until it is completely powder (a cloud of caramel dust will float out of the tube). Turn the processor off and follow the next steps to complete the mix.

  • Add the rest of the ingredients, except the chocolate, into the food processor with the caramel powder. Replace the lid and process until smooth. Add the chocolate to the bowl and process again until the mixture is a fine powder.

  • Store in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place for up to one month. To serve, stir 3 tablespoons mix into 1 cup hot milk.

  • Source: Adapted from Mom It Forward, originally from PheMOMenon

Nutrition

Serving: 1.25g

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About Seeded At The Table

Thanks for visiting! We’re the Gladd family! We love donuts, Disney, LEGO and Jesus. Not in that order, of course. 🙂 Ben shares DIY wood-working projects and Nikki shares delicious recipes. You’ll also find a sprinkling of travel adventures and other family fun ideas!

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Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix - Easy Recipes for Family Time - Seeded At The Table (2024)

FAQs

How do you spruce up hot chocolate mix? ›

A quick and easy way to add flavor to your hot chocolate is by adding a splash of your favorite extract. Coconut and almond extracts lend hot chocolate an Almond Joy-like taste, while vanilla adds dimension to the chocolate flavor. Peppermint extract instantly gives the drink a holiday flair.

How do you make instant hot chocolate nicer? ›

Cinnamon, Nutmeg or Vanilla extract: A 1/4 teaspoon of any of these always adds zip. Orange Zest: Carve three 2-inch long strips of orange rind (the skin) and let them steep in your drink for a while before tasting. That citrus flavor is a delight.

How much hot chocolate does one packet make? ›

COCOA BEANS ARE SUSTAINABLY SOURCED
Per 1 envelope (20 g) makes 6 - 8 fl ozDaily Value (%)
Calories80
Total Fat2 g3%
Saturated Fat1.5 g8%
Trans Fat0 g
8 more rows

What toppings can you put on hot chocolate? ›

Move Over Marshmallows: 6 Best Hot Chocolate Toppings To Try
  • Whipped Cream. Whipped cream works well with most of the drinks be it hot coffee or cold. ...
  • Dark Cocoa Powder. ...
  • Caramel Or Chocolate Sauce. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Chopped Peanuts. ...
  • Crushed Gingerbread Cookies.
Dec 2, 2023

How do you keep hot chocolate hot for a party? ›

Once you've got your space identified, you'll need to figure out how you'll keep your hot chocolate warm. The easiest way is to make it in a slow cooker, but you can also keep it on the stove and simply have your hot chocolate bar contain everything except the actual hot chocolate.

How do you upgrade powdered hot chocolate? ›

Adding instant coffee will also help. You can use milk instead of water, or half hot water and half milk. It'll make it thicker and richer. Use a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg to give it a punch, with or without whipped cream.

Does hot chocolate taste better with milk or water? ›

Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.

Does hot chocolate with salt taste good? ›

It can enhance the flavor of your hot chocolate and add deliciously deep bitter notes, while providing a kick of caffeine.

What's the difference between instant hot chocolate and hot chocolate? ›

Hot cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa, sugar, and added flavorings. Occasionally, powdered hot cocoa packets will come with mini marshmallows in them. Consistency: Hot chocolate is a thick beverage made of melted, solid chocolate blended with milk, cream, or water.

What is the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate? ›

The secret ingredient commonly used in gourmet hot chocolate is often high-quality, finely ground chocolate. This can be in the form of cocoa powder or finely chopped chocolate, adding a rich and intense flavor to the drink.

How do you make hot chocolate taste sweeter? ›

One way to make your hot chocolate less bitter is to add a touch of sweetness. This can be achieved by adding sugar, honey, or a flavored syrup to your hot chocolate. You can also try using a higher quality cocoa powder or adding a splash of cream or milk to balance out the bitterness.

Is it OK to have 2 cups of hot chocolate? ›

A 2013 study published in the journal Neurology found a correlation between drinking hot chocolate and boosted memory, suggesting that drinking two cups a day could help stave off Alzheimer's. "As different areas of the brain need more energy to complete their tasks, they also need greater blood flow.

What is the best cocoa powder for hot chocolate? ›

Unsweetened cocoa powder: a high-quality cocoa powder or cacao powder is essential. I highly recommend using Ghirardelli's 100% cocoa. I think it has the best flavor for hot chocolate (and trust me, I've tried quite a few!)

Is hot chocolate mix better with milk or water? ›

Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.

How do you make hot chocolate water taste better? ›

But in the event you do, melting a tablespoon of chocolate chips into your mug can make your hot chocolate even richer and a bit sweeter! Vanilla extract: If you love the taste of vanilla, add 1/2 teaspoon into the mug!

References

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