Caramel Spicy Hot Chocolate
Why This Hot Chocolate Is So Good
- Cayenne pepper doesn’t read as spicy the way it sounds. It adds warmth that builds quietly in the background rather than a sharp heat up front.
- Real baking chocolate melted into the milk gives this a thicker, richer texture than cocoa powder alone.
- The heat level is entirely up to you, since the cayenne gets added a little at a time and tasted as you go.
Key Ingredient Notes
- Baking chocolate – use a semi-sweet baking bar rather than chocolate chips. Chips contain stabilizers that keep them from melting into as smooth a texture.
- Hot caramel topping – the jarred kind meant for ice cream sundaes works well here and melts easily into the warm milk.
- Cayenne pepper – start with just a pinch. It’s easy to add more but impossible to take out, and everyone’s heat tolerance is different.
- Cocoa powder – unsweetened cocoa deepens the chocolate flavor beyond what the baking chocolate provides on its own.
How to Make Spicy Caramel Hot Chocolate
- Heat the milk – Add the milk to a sauce pot and heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t scorch on the bottom.
- Melt in the chocolate and caramel – Once the milk is hot, add the baking chocolate and caramel topping. Stir slowly and let them melt in gradually rather than dumping them in all at once, which helps them melt smoothly instead of clumping.
- Add the cocoa and spice – Stir in the cocoa powder and sugar. Add a small pinch of cayenne, stir, and taste before adding any more. Build the heat up slowly rather than guessing at the full amount up front.
- Simmer – Let the mixture cook for a few minutes over medium heat, stirring often, without letting it come to a full boil, since boiling milk can scorch or separate.
- Serve – Divide between two mugs and add whatever toppings you like.
Spicy Hot Chocolate Recipe FAQ
The caramel adds sweetness and richness beyond a classic hot chocolate, and the cayenne brings a warming background heat that regular hot chocolate doesn’t have. It’s less about being “spicy hot chocolate” and more about a warm, rounded flavor.
Yes. Let it cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until steaming. You can also microwave it in short bursts, stirring between each, though the stovetop keeps the texture smoother.
Based on how readers have made similar spiced hot chocolate recipes, semi-sweet chocolate chips can work as a swap, though a baking bar tends to melt in more smoothly.
Storing Leftovers
Let leftovers cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring often, rather than in the microwave, to keep the texture smooth.
More Hot Chocolate Recipes From Me
- Mounds Hot Chocolate
- Spiked Nutella Hot Chocolate
- Adult Hot Chocolate
- The Best Homemade Hot Chocolate
Spicy Caramel Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole or 2% milk
- 2½ Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 oz semi-sweet baking chocolate
- 3 Tbsp hot caramel topping
- 1-2 tsp white granulated sugar optional
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch cayenne pepper
Suggested Toppings:
- Marshmallows
- Whipped cream
- Hot caramel topping
- Sprinkle of cayenne
Instructions
- Add milk to a sauce pot and heat it through over medium heat.
- Once milk is hot, add baking chocolate and caramel topping. Stir slowly until melted and incorporated.
- Stir in cocoa powder and sugar. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, stir and taste to see if there is enough heat for you. Add only add a little bit of cayenne at a time because it's very spicy and everyone handles the heat differently.
- Stir and cook the hot chocolate mixture for a few minutes.
- Divide mixture among two cups and add desired toppings.
Nutrition
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All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.
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