Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Recipe — A Full Living (2024)

FAQs

Is salted caramel hot chocolate good? ›

Delicious! Salted Caramel infused with dark flavors of chocolate, one of my favorite drink from Starbucks! They did their researched and made certain that the chocolate or salted caramel does not overpower each other. I prefer to use 2% milk to make this drink a little creamy, but not too much.

Flavored spreads add a ton of flavor without adding extra effort. Another no-fuss way to add flavor to your hot cocoa is by melting in a spoonful of your favorite flavored spread. Peanut butter, cookie butter, and Nutella are all good to add-in since their flavors pair well with chocolate.

An easy way to add extra flavor to any cup of cocoa—be it out of the box or homemade—is to add a touch of your favorite spices. A sprinkle of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg or even cayenne can all be welcome warming additions.

1. Texture: The soft and pillowy texture of the marshmallows contrasts with the smooth and velvety texture of the hot chocolate. This combination creates a delightful mouthfeel, adding a layer of creaminess and a bit of chewiness to each sip.

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.

The primary difference between salted caramel and normal (or unsalted) caramel lies in salt in the former, which significantly impacts both the flavour profile and the overall taste experience.

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.

Marshmallows: The Unsung Hero

Believe it or not, the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate is none other than marshmallows. These fluffy, sweet confections are the unsung heroes of the hot chocolate world, adding a delightful creaminess and hint of sweetness that takes the drink to a whole new level.

Instead of going with regular marshmallows or a dollop of whipped cream, you can freeze Cool Whip and cut it into cute shapes. Then, use those atop your hot chocolate instead and allow them to melt into your drink for a sweet, creamy topping.

Drinking hot chocolate milk at night can potentially help improve sleep quality, thanks to the soothing psychological effects of consuming a warm drink and the tryptophan content in cocoa. Plus, milk contains calcium and vitamin D, nutrients important for overall health, including the regulation of sleep.

Why do people put cheese in their hot chocolate? ›

A little bit of salt enhances the flavors of chocolate and creates a much more complex gastronomical experience. Colombian hot chocolate is exactly the same. Adding a bit of salty cheese to the cup makes the chocolate's notes more pronounced.

Psychoactive constituents of chocolate that trigger a 'feel-good' reaction for the consumer include tryptophan and phenylethylamine, which may contribute to cravings and addiction-like responses, particularly in people with specific genetic alleles.

Not too soon into the hot chocolate

If you're serving the hot chocolate make sure to place the marshmallow men at the last minute. They will melt so it's best not to put them in too quickly. Mine slowly sank into the froth on top, which was actually quite fun to watch so another fun thing to look at with kids.

Firstly, salt acts as a flavour enhancer, which means it brings out the flavours of the caramel that may have been previously overlooked. Making it richer and sweeter than before, we can quite simply taste this sugary treat a whole lot better when we add salt.

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

Fact: Chocolate and caramel are a match made in heaven.