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!

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix - Easy Recipes for Family Time - Seeded At The Table (3)

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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Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix - Easy Recipes for Family Time - Seeded At The Table (5)

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 enhance hot chocolate packets? ›

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 are the ingredients in options salted caramel? ›

MILK permeate powder, fat-reduced cocoa powder (20%), thickeners (acacia gum, xanthan gum), dried glucose syrup, Belgian chocolate (6%) (sugar, cocoa mass, fat-reduced cocoa powder, flavouring), skimmed MILK powder, coconut oil, salt, flavourings, emulsifiers (sunflower lecithin, E472e), sweeteners (acesulfame K, ...

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

Do people put salt in hot chocolate? ›

Did you know that chocolate and sea salt go hand in hand? If you add a small pinch of sea salt to the hot chocolate, you create an addictive taste, which is guaranteed to make you want to drink at least two cups.

How to doctor up hot chocolate mix? ›

Ideas to Customize:
  1. 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or 1-2 drops pure peppermint extract.
  2. 1 shot whiskey, dark rum, or peppermint schnapps.
  3. Pinch kosher salt highly recommended for all flavor combinations.
  4. Pinch espresso powder will enhance the chocolate flavor.

What do McDonald's use for their hot chocolate? ›

Ingredients: Sugar, Allergen Ingredient: Skimmed MILK, 10% Fat Reduced Cocoa, Vegetable Oil (Palm), Whey Powder (Allergen Ingredient: MILK), Salt, Stabiliser (Trisodium Citrate), Flavouring, Emulsifier (Allergen Ingredient: SOYA Lecithin).

What is difference between caramel and salted caramel? ›

However, the defining characteristic of salted caramel is the addition of salt – often sea salt or fleur de sel. The salt does not overpower the sweetness but instead provides a delightful contrast. It enhances the caramel's flavour, cutting through the richness and bringing a unique depth to the overall taste.

What makes salted caramel so good? ›

The Science Behind The Flavour

Salt, on the other hand, stimulates the taste buds responsible for detecting sour and umami flavors, which can enhance the perception of sweetness. The addition of salt to caramel not only enhances the sweetness, but also adds a savory element to the flavor profile.

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.

How much should you charge for a cup of hot chocolate? ›

We suggest also listing the price for a cup of hot chocolate. Consider charging $1-3 depending on the size of the cups you purchase. If you'd like to be mindful of the environment, offer a $.

How much hot chocolate mix per gallon of water? ›

If you follow the directions you would need 3 cups of Swiss Miss to make 1 gallon of hot chocolate. That's 3 tablespoons of mix per 8 ounces of water. I use 2 tablespoons of mix per 8 ounces of water. So, for me, that would be 2 cups of Swiss Miss for 1 gallon.

What does adding salt to hot chocolate do? ›

Salt accentuates sweetness and suppresses bitterness, while also functioning as a natural enhancer to bring out the flavor in chocolate. Simply adding a touch of salt in chocolate recipes can make the chocolate taste better by balancing out flavours and bringing out many subtle nuances.

What do people add to hot chocolate? ›

Flavorful add-ins can transform simple hot cocoa into something special. Sweet add-ins include marshmallows, whipped cream, caramel, flavored spreads, and maple syrup. To transform cocoa into a co*cktail, add flavored liqueurs or traditional spirits.

When to add salt to hot chocolate? ›

Definitely not in American hot cocoa, but I often add it when I make Italian hot chocolate as it can cut the sweetness a little bit and truly deepens the flavour. Make sure you don't add it when it's cooking though. If you decide to add it, a REALLY tiny sprinkle of sea salt once served in the mug/bowl does the trick.

How do you intensify chocolate flavor? ›

Add Espresso Powder or Instant Coffee

The simplest way to accentuate the chocolate flavor in your baked goods is to add a teaspoon or so of espresso powder or instant coffee granules. Espresso powder tends to be more concentrated, so you definitely only need a teaspoon to do the trick.

Can you use milk instead of water in instant hot chocolate? ›

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.

How to make a good cup of instant hot chocolate? ›

  1. Pop 3 heaped tsp of hot chocolate into a mug.
  2. Heat approximately 200ml of your chosen dairy or plant-based milk – if you're feeling particularly indulgent, use a milk frother first.
  3. Pour into the mug and stir thoroughly (or whisk) with the powder until you have a smooth mixture.

How to make water hot chocolate taste better? ›

Optional: Stir in 3 tablespoons full fat coconut milk for a creamier hot chocolate. Add in 8 ounces boiling hot water. Using a spoon or candy cane, stir to combine. Taste and add an additional 4 ounces of water or additional maple syrup to taste, if needed.

References

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