Who doesn’t love a salted caramel chocolate with all its melty, gooey texture? Now, imagine that you could have that same satisfying flavor in a salted caramel hot chocolate! This is also an iconic flavor from Starbucks’ home line, their salted caramel hot cocoa mix, but this homemade version is way better and fresher.

I’ll show you how to make salted caramel at home from scratch, which you can use with dark chocolate. It makes the perfect sweet-salty-rich combo.

Here’s how to make salted caramel hot cocoa at home that’s better than Starbucks!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s a unique yet palatable hot chocolate recipe that adds a little salted caramel for some fun.
• It’s easy to follow and makes a banging cup of hot chocolate.
• Use this as inspiration for your next cozy night in or rainy day.
• It uses all fresh ingredients, which makes it taste even better.

What is Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate?

It’s hot chocolate made with salted caramel! You can make it with white, milk, or dark chocolate, but I recommend it with dark chocolate. It’s the least sweet, with a nice addition of cocoa and butter from the caramel. It’s a pretty non-traditional hot chocolate flavor, and I’ve rarely seen it sold at cafes.

But chocolate with caramel is such a popular dessert and candy flavor, so in a drink, it has to be good.

What Does Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Taste Like?

This tastes exactly like a chocolate bar with caramel inside, with a hint of salt. It also tastes similar to chocolate drizzled kettle corn. You wouldn’t think the salt could add any flavor, but it definitely enhances it. It brings out the buttery flavor and rounds out the sweetness.

I personally love a good salty and sweet combination, and don’t like desserts that are too sweet. Even if the dessert is wildly sweet, add a little salt, and boom, it’s so much better.

Does Chocolate Go Well with Salted Caramel?

Of courrrseee!!! Chocolate caramel is such a classic dessert combination. It’s the first chocolate pairing I think of when adding different flavors to chocolate. Perhaps it is a product of marketing, as I see it heavily marketed in every grocery store candy aisle. Just think: Twix, Ghiradhelli’s sea salt caramel bar, Cadbury caramellos, Turtles, you name it.

I think this combination is so popular because it’s so satisfying. Cocoa is quite bitter, but it cuts through caramel’s sweetness. And when you add a little salt, it’s literally insane! It’s a flavor you can’t get enough of, and it makes you want to keep eating more and more.

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: What You’ll Need

Equipment:

• A small to medium-sized pot
• A lidded jar
• Handheld frother or electric mixer

Ingredients:

• Salted Caramel Sauce
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 tbsp butter
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp salt
• Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
• 1½ cups whole milk
• ¼ cup dark chocolate
• ½ tbsp salted caramel
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• A pinch of flaky salt
• ½ tsp cocoa powder
• Salted Caramel Cream
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 2 tsp salted caramel

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Recipe

1. Make Salted Caramel. Melt sugar in a heavy-bottomed pot until golden brown. Add butter one tablespoon at a time, stirring constantly to incorporate thoroughly. Once melted, add heavy cream and stir until well-combined. Take off the heat and season with salt and vanilla (optional). For more in-depth instructions, see my salted caramel sauce recipe!
2. Make Hot Chocolate. Chop the chocolate if necessary, then add it to a pot with milk and salted caramel. Stir on low to medium heat until the chocolate melts completely. For a thicker consistency, cook for 3 – 5 minutes on low to medium heat. It should coat the back of a spoon.
3. Whip Caramel Cream. Add heavy cream and salted caramel to a glass or bowl. Whip with a handheld frother or electric mixer until stiff peaks. Make sure not to over-whip.
4. Assemble Drink. Add hot chocolate into a mug, then add dollops of caramel cream on top. Finish with flaky salt and a dusting of cocoa powder.
5. Mix and Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

• Add butter and cream slowly: Pour the dairy carefully and protect your hands with a cloth or mitt. The cold dairy will make the sugar bubble, so expect some bubbling and steam.
• Make a softer cream: Whip the cream to soft peaks instead of stiff peaks. This makes it easier to pour and mix into the chocolate.
• Make a large batch of caramel: The caramel recipe makes about a mason jar or 16 oz worth of caramel, which you can use over the course of several weeks. It stores well in the fridge. Just let it come to room temperature and stir it before using.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a salted caramel hot chocolate mix?

Yes, Starbucks sells one, and it’s very popular. So popular that other brands have also started making their own versions of it. Like Williams Sonoma, Swiss Miss, and Trader Joe’s, as well as other big box brands like Target.

Can you make salted caramel hot cocoa bombs?

Oh, you bet. Hot chocolate bombs are so easy to make at home and easy to add flavors. For salted caramel hot cocoa bombs, you can add a little flaky salt and chopped salted caramel candies into the hot chocolate mix. You could also package homemade salted caramel into small jars and gift them side by side.

What’s in a salted caramel hot chocolate from Starbucks?

Starbucks used to have this waaaay back when, like years and years ago. I don’t think they have it now, but you can order it by customizing the add-ons. I would order a hot chocolate, add caramel drizzle, and add salt to the whipped cream topping.

Can I make this a mocha?

Yes, salted caramel mochas are sooo good and are basically just hot chocolate with espresso added. Brew 1-2 shots of espresso and add it to the base. I recommend making the hot chocolate a little thinner so it’s more drinkable, or you can keep it thick if desired.

Other Hot Chocolate Recipes to Try

Hot chocolate is such a comforting drink to make during the holidays or colder days. Salted caramel is so good in hot chocolate, and there are many more combinations to try after. If you want another delicious drink, here are some other hot chocolate recipes to try next:

• French Hot Chocolate
• Mexican Hot Chocolate
• Chai Hot Chocolate
• Thai Tea Hot Chocolate
• Hojicha Hot Chocolate