Southern Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• Dairy Base
• • Whole Milk: 6 qts (24 cups / 5.68 L)
• • Heavy Cream: 2 qts (8 cups / 1.89 L)
• Chocolate & Cocoa
• • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: 52.5 oz (3 lbs 4.5 oz)
• • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (sifted): 26.25 Tbsp (1⅔ cups / 132 g)
• Sugar & Seasoning
• • Granulated Sugar: 2¼ cups (450 g)
• • Pure Vanilla Extract: 5 Tbsp (75 ml)
• • Instant Espresso Powder (optional): 4⅜ tsp
• • Fine Sea Salt: 2⅜ tsp
• Silky Thickener
• • Cornstarch: 5⅞ Tbsp (about ⅜ cup / 53 g)
• • Cold Milk: 1⅓ cups (pulled from milk above)
• Salted Caramel Addition
• • Warm Salted Caramel Sauce: 2½–3 cups
• • Extra Sea Salt: ½–1 tsp, to taste
• Garnish (Optional)
• • Whipped cream, marshmallows, cocoa nibs, grated chocolate, flaky salt

Nutrition / serving

No nutrition data for this recipe. Tap Nutrition in Ask Chef AI above for an estimate.

Method

1. 1

   1. Prepare Thickener & Dry Mix

2. 2

   1. Combine cornstarch with 1⅓ cups cold milk to make a smooth slurry.

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   2. In a separate bowl, whisk together:

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   • Cocoa powder

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   • Sugar

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   • Espresso powder (if using)

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   ⸻

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   2. Heat Dairy

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   1. In large pot(s), add:

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    • 6 qts whole milk (minus the 1⅓ cups above)

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    • 2 qts heavy cream

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    2. Warm over medium-low heat until steaming; do not boil.

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    ⸻

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    3. Build Cocoa Base

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    1. While whisking constantly, rain in the cocoa/sugar mixture.

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    2. Cook 3–4 minutes until glossy and smooth.

    ⏱Start 3:00
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    ⸻

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    4. Activate Thickening

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    1. Re-whisk the cornstarch slurry; add it to the pot.

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    2. Increase heat slightly.

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    3. Cook 4–6 minutes, whisking often, until mixture lightly coats the back of a spoon.

    ⏱Start 4:00
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    ⸻

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    5. Emulsify Chocolate (Critical Step)

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    1. Remove pot from heat.

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    2. Add all 52.5 oz chocolate chips + sea salt.

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    3. Let sit 45 seconds.

    ⏱Start 0:45
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    4. Whisk gently from center outward OR use an immersion blender to form a velvety emulsion.

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    • Texture should be glossy, smooth, and rich.

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    ⸻

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    6. Finish & Taste

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    1. Stir in vanilla extract.

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    2. Taste and adjust:

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    • Add sugar if sweeter profile is needed.

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    • Add milk/cream if thinning is needed.

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    ⸻

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    6b. Add Salted Caramel

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    1. Stir warm salted caramel sauce into the finished batch until fully incorporated.

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    2. Taste; add extra sea salt if desired.

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    ⸻

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    7. Holding & Service

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    • Transfer to insulated containers or keep covered over very low heat (140–160°F).

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    • Stir every 10–15 minutes.

    ⏱Start 10:00
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    • If hot chocolate thickens during service, loosen with hot milk and re-emulsify briefly.