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)

Print Recipe

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.

What can you put in hot chocolate instead of marshmallows? ›

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

What kind of alcohol do you put in hot chocolate? ›

When it's robust sweetness I'm in the mood for, I reach for OM chocolate liqueur or Cointreau or a cream liqueur such as Marigot Bay chocolate coffee rum cream or Five Farms Irish cream. And for added complexity in a dark hot chocolate, I typically add toasted baking spices—plus a small splash of spiced rum or Cognac.

Why do people put marshmallow in hot chocolate? ›

The lightness and creaminess created by melting marshmallows or whipped cream into hot cocoa to balance the thickness and richness of the chocolate perfectly. Not to mention, everyone loves using hot chocolate as an excuse to eat marshmallows straight out of the bag or whipped cream right from the can.

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.

Can I use milk instead of water for hot chocolate mix? ›

Which to Use—Milk, Soy, or Water? Whole milk lends to the creaminess and sweetness of hot chocolate, but feel free to use low-fat or nonfat milk if you prefer. For a thicker, richer hot chocolate, switch out 1/4 cup of milk for cream. Soy milk or another non-dairy milk is an alternative if you are lactose intolerant.

Do marshmallows melt or dissolve in hot chocolate? ›

When put into hot chocolate, the marshmallow doesn't really melt, it dissolves. And because sugar is water-soluble, the confection begins to collapse. But as we all know from experience, the marshmallow doesn't dissolve totally. This is due to the coagulated gelatin which is not water-soluble.

What can I use instead of marshmallow in homemade? ›

Whipped Cream: In some recipes or applications, whipped cream can be a suitable substitute for marshmallows. It adds a light and fluffy texture. Meringue: Whipped egg whites with sugar can provide a similar texture to marshmallows. They can be baked or torched for a crispy exterior.

Do marshmallows make hot chocolate better? ›

The sweetness, texture, and flavor of the marshmallows enhance the richness and creaminess of the hot chocolate, resulting in a delightful pairing.

What can I spike my hot chocolate with? ›

Spiked hot chocolate is regular hot chocolate that's spiked with alcohol. Common types of alcohol include bourbon, rum, Baileys, or Kahlua, but really anything goes. You can use a purchased hot cocoa mix, but of course the best way to make this drink is with homemade hot chocolate.

Why do people fry marshmallows? ›

Heating a marshmallow until it browns causes malliard reaction which give the marshmallow a more complex flavor. Additionally campfires are often hot enough to cause the sugars to caramelize which changes the texture and flavor. It is a cultural thing to roast marshmallows, but it also makes them taste better.

Who started putting marshmallows in hot chocolate? ›

Marshmallows first came into the picture in 1917, when the company Angelus Marshmallows published a recipe for hot cocoa topped with their product.

What are chocolate covered marshmallows called? ›

Chocolate-coated marshmallow treats, also known as chocolate teacakes, are confections consisting of a biscuit base topped with marshmallow-like filling and then coated in a hard shell of chocolate.

How do you make boxed hot chocolate taste better? ›

DIRECTIONS
  1. Start by simmering your milk. ...
  2. Pour in your instant hot cocoa mix and stir until fully combined.
  3. Add in a pinch of cinnamon and your brown sugar and stir once more.
  4. Pour into mugs, top with marshmallows (I used these gigantic campfire marshmallows that worked like a charm!) and/or candy cane, and serve warm.
Dec 1, 2015

How do you make instant hot chocolate nicer? ›

Peanut Butter: If you're crazy for peanut butter , take a tablespoon or two and mix it into your cocoa. Just be sure to mix really well until it melts. Habanero Pepper or a Shot of Hot Sauce: Got a hankering for something hot and spicy? A dash of your favorite hot sauce kicks a hot chocolate into high gear.

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.

Does adding milk to hot chocolate make it better? ›

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.

References

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