Hot chocolate taken to a whole new level! This Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate combined chocolate with dulce de leche and a hint of salt to make a decadent treat that will warm you up.
I’m all about a big mug of hot chocolate all winter long. You should also check out this Gourmet Hot Chocolate and this Cashew Coconut Hot Chocolate Recipe. Or make up a batch of this Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix!
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Today we are having a very rare snow day. There isn’t very much snow on the ground, (where I live, at least), but the roads are icy and the wind is insane. And it’s like 20 degrees outside.
So you won’t be catching me out there. You’ll find me inside, snuggled up with a mug of this Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. Because you all know I can’t turn down the salty/sweet combination.
And as a bonus – this is super fast to make. Both the sweetness and the caramel come from canned dulce de leche. I use the kind that comes in a can. But for this recipe, you could probably use the kind that comes in a squeeze bottle, as well.
Also – feel free to add as little or as much salt as you’d like to. I go a little heavy, but if salty isn’t your thing, then just add a small amount and go from there.
PS – you can also check out this Wassail Recipe – also perfect for a snow day!
How to Make Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
This recipe is super easy and should take you less than 10 minutes to make.
- Heat the dulce de leche. If it’s not heated first, it makes it harder to whisk into the milk.
- Add the milk and whisk until smooth.
- Add in your cocoa powder and salt. Whisk until everything is combined well.
- Heat it until it is warmed through.
- You can serve it as is, or you can top it with whipped cream, marshmallows, and/or caramel sauce.
What Kind of Milk Can You Use?
The good thing about this recipe is that you can really use any milk you have on hand. The end result will change, but you can use whichever kind of milk you prefer.
Skim milk will give you a thinner, less rich hot chocolate.
And whole milk will be the most rich and decadent.
I wouldn’t recommend cream, as it would be too rich. I usually use 2% because that’s what we keep on hand, and it gives you a hot chocolate that is right in the middle.
If you need to, you could also use almond milk, coconut milk, or any other milk alternative you want.
More Salted Caramel Recipes
Brioche French Toast with Salted Caramel and Bananas
Salted Caramel Slow Cooker Monkey Bread
Salted Caramel Ice Cream with Fudge and Toasted Coconut
Peanut Butter Fudge Pie with Salted Peanut Butter Caramel
Vanilla Bean Rice Pudding with Raspberries and Salted Caramel
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Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup canned dulce de leche
- 2 1/2 cups milk (I use 2%)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
- Whipped cream and marshmallows optional
Instructions
- Warm the dulce de leche in a pot over medium heat until it can be easily stirred.
- Whisk in the milk until smooth. Add the cocoa powder and whisk all together.
- Heat until warmed through.
- Serve warm with whipped cream and marshmallows, if desired.
Cathy D. says
I was craving the Salted Caramel Mocha today too when I remembered seeing your post on Foodgawker. I didn’t have any dulce de leche so I improved with a caramel topping and posted it in my blog with a link back to your page! Thank you 🙂
Cathy D says
@Cathy D.,
*Improvised*… not improved… that’s what I meant to say! LOL Geez… that probably sounded very vain and very rude. IMPROVISED! 🙂
Deborah says
@Cathy D, haha – I’m pretty sure when I read the comment, I read it as improvised, because I wasn’t offended at all!! I’m just glad you liked it! 🙂
grace says
supreme. as far as i’m concerned, dulce de leche can do no wrong. 🙂
Cupcake Activist says
One of my fav drinks from Starbucks, but now I can save money by making it myself!
Maris (In Good Taste) says
I love salted caramel. This is so getting bookmarked for when it finally cools off here in Chicago!
Betty says
Writer’s block is commonplace in my world. When I get home from work my brain doesn’t always feel like working! Lots of words or not, this hot chocolate looks amazing, just like everything else you share. 🙂
Cara says
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to make it myself!
Jersey Girl Cooks says
This is perfect hot chocolate! I love salted caramel!
Erika - The Teenage Taste says
Salted caramel is one of my current obsessions. This hot chocolate looks so yummy!
ohyoucook says
I’ve seen this item at the local coffee shop … glad that now I can make it at home. Thanks for sharing!
Cindy says
Oh man these look so good. And they are super simple to make too. I know how you feel about writters block, there are many times I stare at the screen wondering what to write about, LOL.
Meg's Everyday Indulgence says
This sounds amazing! I love salted caramel hot chocolates from Starbucks but it would be so much better to make at home! Thanks for sharing…it’s going to the top of my must try list!
Nell says
It is so nice today. I was wearing shorts when apple picking. However this sounds perfect when the snow starts falling and the hot chocolate cravings set in!
Katrina says
This is perfect for this cool saturday! Yum.
Becca @ Crumbs and Chaos says
I love your Saturday posts, even if you don’t have much to say today 🙂 This looks delicious!
Erin says
I love hot chocolate! And the addition of salt and caramel sounds great! I have to make this soon.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
That looks sooo good. I dont even like salt. But I do love hot choco and caramel. Big time 🙂