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

Published: by Briana · This post may contain affiliate links.

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This Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa Recipe is the perfect treat during the holiday season and the cooler months. It's one of our family favorites made on the stove top, so cozy up with a big mug!

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Recipe — A Full Living (1)

Note: This recipe was originally published in December 2019, but has been improved and re-photographed. We hope you enjoy the new look!

This hot cocoa is a decadent treat that is everyone's favorite drink for a cold day. We start with a rich hot chocolate base, then add in plenty of salted caramel flavor. It's a favorite during the holiday time of the year.

You may also like this bourbon hot chocolate or this Instant Pot hot chocolate!

Jump to:
  • ❤️Why we love this recipe
  • 🍫Ingredients
  • 🔪Prep work
  • 📋Instructions
  • 💭Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Recipes To Consider
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Community

❤️Why we love this recipe

  • Simple ingredients - Made with kitchen and pantry staples, and anything you don't have can be found at many grocery stores.
  • Quick and easy - This hot cocoa comes together in under 10 minutes on the stovetop!
  • Easy to customize - This recipe can also be made low carb, sugar free, or even dairy-free with a few simple swaps.
  • Absolutely decadent - This luscious hot chocolate is rich and over the top with one key ingredient to take it to the next level - salted caramel sauce! Once you try it, you'll be in love.

🍫Ingredients

Here are the ingredients we used for this recipe. You can find more information for substitutions below.

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Recipe — A Full Living (2)
  • Whole milk & heavy cream - We use a mixture of both for the most creamy and decadent hot chocolate.
  • Dark chocolate - We recommend using a bar of chocolate, and cutting it into small shavings. You can also use dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips.
  • Cocoa powder
  • Kosher salt
  • Vanilla extract
  • Sweetener of choice - Opt for powdered or white sugar, or a sugar replacement.
  • Salted caramel sauce - You can use store bought or our homemade salted caramel sauce, it's the best!
  • Garnish with whipped cream, flaky sea salt, a salted caramel drizzle, mini marshmallows, and chocolate shavings.

Visit the recipe card for the full quantities and nutritional information.

✨Substitutions & variations

Here are a few suggestions on additional flavors to try, or simple variations to this hot chocolate.

  • Sugar free version - Use a sugar free sweetener, our favorite is Swerve confectioners (affiliate link), sugar free chocolate like Lily's, and our homemade sugar free keto salted caramel sauce. For toppings, use sugar free marshmallows and sugar free whipped cream.
  • Low carb version - Follow all of the instructions above to make this recipe sugar free, and swap the whole milk for your favorite unsweetened non-dairy milks (which happen to be lower in carbs). Unsweetened coconut milk and almond milk are our top choices.
  • Dairy free or vegan - Use your favorite non-dairy milk in place of whole milk, and coconut cream in place of heavy cream. You will want to make sure to use dairy free chocolate, whipped cream, and a dairy-free caramel sauce recipe.

🔪Prep work

  • If making your own salted caramel sauce, do this first. This can be done up to 2 weeks in advance. Or, gently heat or reheat the salted caramel sauce to make it pourable.
  • Cut chocolate with a sharp knife into very small pieces. This will help the chocolate melt better.
  • Measure out all remaining ingredients.

📋Instructions

Add milk and heavy cream to a saucepan over medium-low heat. (Image 1)

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Recipe — A Full Living (3)

Add cocoa powder, sugar or sweetener, and salt. Whisk constantly to combine. (Image 2)

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Recipe — A Full Living (4)

Add in chopped chocolate and stir to melt. (Image 3)

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Recipe — A Full Living (5)

Add salted caramel, and whisk to combine. (Image 4)

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Remove from heat, then stir in vanilla extract. (Image 5)

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Pour into mugs, top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, marshmallows, sea salt flakes, and a drizzle of salted caramel.

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Recipe — A Full Living (8)

✨Tips & tricks

  • Sweeten to taste. Start out by adding less sugar or sweetener if you're making this recipe for the first time, then add more to taste.
  • Don't allow mixture to boil at all, or the milk will curdle.
  • Make sure to finely chop the chocolate, so it melts quickly and evenly.
  • As the mixture heats, a thin layer of milk solids will form at the top. You can simply skim it off if the texture bothers you, but it's fine to consume.

Need supplies?Shop ourAmazon store!Stock your pantry, and find all of our favorite kitchen tools! A Full Living LLC earns a small commission through purchases on our storefront to help support this site.

💭Frequently Asked Questions

How to store the leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop. Do not freeze.

Can this recipe be made in the slow cooker?


Yes. To make this in the slow cooker, combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and place it on low. Stir, then set to low and cover for 2 hours. Stir, then serve.

More Recipes To Consider

  • Instant Pot Hot Chocolate (Sugar Free Option)
  • Keto Hot Buttered Rum Recipe
  • Salted Bourbon Hot Cocoa

Did you try this recipe? Make sure to leave a 5-star review below! 🌟 This helps other readers find our recipes and encourages them to try them. Also, be sure to leave a comment with your experience. Follow along, and tag @AFullLiving on Instagram with your photos!

📖 Recipe

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Recipe — A Full Living (12)

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Recipe

Briana

This Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate is so rich and decadent. Cozy up by the fire with this deliciously rich hot chocolate, ready in 10 minutes or less on the stovetop.

5 from 3 votes

Prep Time 3 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 8 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 440 kcal

Ingredients

  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream (½ cup)
  • 3.5 cups whole milk
  • ½ cup sugar (or any sweetner of choice, to taste)
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2.5 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped
  • 6 tablespoons salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • Top with whipped cream, mini marshmallows, shaved chocolate, salted caramel sauce, and flaky sea salt.

Instructions

  • Add milk and cream to a dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add in cocoa powder, sugar or sweetener, and kosher salt, whisking constantly to combine.

  • Whisk in chocolate shavings, stirring constantly to melt, for about 2 minutes, then stir in the salted caramel sauce.

  • Remove from the heat, then stir in vanilla extract. Pour into mugs, and top with whipped cream, more salted caramel sauce, chocolate shavings, flaky sea salt, and mini marshmallows.

  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Notes

  • Additional toppings are not included in the nutrition facts.
  • Sweeten to taste.Start out by adding less sugar or sweetener if you're making this recipe for the first time, then add more to taste.
  • Make sure to finely chop the chocolate, so it melts quickly and evenly.
  • As the mixture heats, a thin layer of milk solids will form at the top.You can simply skim it off if the texture bothers you, but it's fine to consume.
  • Don't allow mixture to boil at all, or the milk will curdle.

    To make this in the slow cooker, combine all ingredients in a slow cooker and place it on low. Stir, then set to low and cover for 2 hours. Stir, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 440kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 11gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 482mgPotassium: 588mgFiber: 5gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 765IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 304mgIron: 4mg

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and tag @AFullLiving on social!

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

FAQs

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, ...

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.

What to add to hot chocolate to make it better? ›

The 15 Best Things To Add To Hot Chocolate
  1. Add an extract. A quick and easy way to add flavor to your hot chocolate is by adding a splash of your favorite extract. ...
  2. Sprinkle in warm spices. ...
  3. Mix in Nutella. ...
  4. Swirl in caramel. ...
  5. Spike it. ...
  6. Infuse it with orange. ...
  7. Swap regular sugar for maple syrup. ...
  8. Add a shot (of coffee)
Dec 4, 2023

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

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. Other unique ways to liven up hot chocolate include adding coffee, spices, and extracts.

What is salted caramel made of? ›

This truly the best salted caramel I've ever had and there's only 4 ingredients required: sugar, butter, heavy cream, and salt. This salted caramel is a reader favorite recipe, marking its spot in the top 10 most popular recipes on my website. It's sweet, sticky, buttery, and tastes phenomenal on anything it touches.

What ingredients are in caramel flavor? ›

The main ingredient in caramel is sugar. However, depending on the recipe you use, you may have to incorporate butter, heavy cream, water, or corn syrup as additional ingredients.

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 is the difference between caramel and hot caramel? ›

Please know that our Hot Caramel option provides a rich, velvety caramel taste and is specifically designed to be warmed and enjoyed for an extra-special treat while our regular Caramel Topping offers a silky-smooth texture that's perfectly sweet and spoonable, to be enjoyed straight out of the jar!

What is difference between caramel and salted caramel? ›

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.

What liquid is best for hot chocolate? ›

I like to have a hot chocolate, a white chocolate and plain milk. I always use whole milk because it has such great flavor and a creamy texture. If you're concerned about calories, c'mon we're dunking straight-up fudge in this stuff.

Is hot chocolate 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 to doctor up hot chocolate mix? ›

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.

What liquor is good in hot chocolate? ›

Adding a splash of alcohol like rum, brandy, or whisky can transform your hot chocolate into a truly indulgent and sophisticated drink.

Does adding marshmallows keep hot chocolate warmer for longer? ›

Loss says kitchen air produces an “evaporative cooling” effect as water is freed from the drink's surface and into the atmosphere. Since they're filled with air, the marshmallows could insulate the hot chocolate by slowing down this cooling.

Can I drink hot chocolate at night? ›

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.

What is caramel in ingredient list? ›

The FDA defines caramel color as the dark-brown liquid or solid material resulting from the carefully controlled heat treatment of food-grade carbohydrates, including dextrose, invert sugar, lactose, malt syrup, molasses, starch hydrolysates and fractions thereof, and sucrose.

What makes salted caramel at Starbucks? ›

Sea salt, whipped cream and caramel flavors meet in your mug for this delicious drink.

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