Hot Chocolate with Salted Caramel

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 1 min | Course: Breakfast | Serves: 8

Homemade hot cocoa with whipped cream and a drizzle of salted caramel. You could use purchased salted caramel or a recipe included below.

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

¾ cup powdered sugar

Pinch of salt

Whisk dry ingredients together and spoon into a lidded jar. When ready to use, heat a cup of milk in the microwave or a saucepan until it’s warm, stir in 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa mix and stir. Top with whipped cream and salted caramel.

Salted Caramel Sauce:

½ cup sugar

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup butter

½ cup heavy cream

¼ cup caramel vodka, optional

½ tsp salt

Microwave the sugars and butter in an 8-cup glass measurer or other similar-sized microwave-safe mixing bowl for 3 minutes. Add in the cream and microwave 1 minute at a time, stirring after each minute until the mixture comes together and is bubbly and puffy (about 3 minutes). Stir in the caramel vodka, if using,  and continue to stir and microwave a minute at a time until it comes together, is somewhat reduced, and saucy (about 3 more minutes). Stir in the salt and pour into a mason or other lidded jar. The sauce will continue to thicken a bit as it cools.