Chocolate And Salted Caramel Bites Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because it perfectly blends the rich, bittersweet allure of dark chocolate with the luscious, creamy depth of salted caramel, creating an irresistible fusion of flavors and textures in every bite. Plus, making these little delights feels like a fun, adventurous craft project, and the satisfaction of indulging in something homemade and gourmet is just unbeatable.

I enjoy making rich delicacies, and these bites of chocolate and salted caramel are an exact balance of decadent, rich, and salty flavors. With 200g of dark chocolate, 70% cocoa, accompanied by silky caramel made from 150g granulated sugar and 100ml double cream, these bites have an intensely flavored core.

My favorite part of this recipe is the sprinkle of 1/4 tsp sea salt flakes. They enhance the chocolate’s flavor and create an irresistible bite.

Chocolate And Salted Caramel Bites Recipe Ingredients

• Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa): Rich in antioxidants, provides intense flavor.
• Double Cream: Adds creamy texture and enhances richness.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds smoothness and buttery flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetness and caramelizes for deep flavor.
• Sea Salt Flakes: Enhances overall taste with contrast.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and depth to flavors.
• Roasted Nuts: Adds crunch and nutty flavor, optional.

Chocolate And Salted Caramel Bites Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 200g dark chocolate (70% cocoa)
• 100ml double cream
• 50g unsalted butter
• 150g granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp water
• 1/4 tsp sea salt flakes
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 50g chopped roasted nuts (optional, for garnish)

How to Make this Chocolate And Salted Caramel Bites Recipe

1. Start by making the caramel. Using a medium-size pan and a stovetop set to medium, combine the required granulated sugar and water. Stir very gently to combine the ingredients and to ensure that the sugar has time to dissolve. Once the sugar has dissolved, do not stir anymore and allow the mixture to either come to a boil or continue its journey to the boiling point.

2. Take the caramel off the heat, and with the utmost care, whisk in the double cream, followed by the butter. It is advisable to be on the safe side, as the mixture will bubble up.

3. Mix in the sea salt flakes and vanilla extract until the caramel is smooth. Allow it to cool for a moment, then set it aside.

4. Let the caramel cool while breaking the dark chocolate into small pieces. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of barely simmering water—also known as the double boiler method—making certain that the bowl does not touch the water.

5. After the chocolate has reached a molten state and is smooth, take it off the heat and let it cool a bit, ensuring that it does not revert to a solid state.

6. Melt some chocolate and place it into a small basting syringe. Line a mini muffin tin with paper liners. Add a small spoonful of melted chocolate to each liner, using the back of a spoon to coat the bottom and sides.

7. Put the muffin tin in the refrigerator for around 10 minutes so that the chocolate shells can harden.

8. After the chocolate has set, place a modest amount of the salted caramel into each chocolate shell, filling it no more than halfway.

9. Pour in more of the melted chocolate so that it completely coats and seals the caramel layer in each cup.

10. If desired, garnish with chopped roasted nuts. Return the tin to the refrigerator for about 20 minutes or until fully set before serving.

Chocolate And Salted Caramel Bites Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Medium-size pan
2. Stovetop
3. Whisk
4. Heatproof bowl
5. Pot for double boiler
6. Small basting syringe
7. Mini muffin tin
8. Paper liners
9. Spoon

FAQ

• Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate?Certainly, but the bites will be less intense and taste sweeter. Adjust the sweetness to your liking.
• What type of nuts are best for garnishing?Any variety of roasted nut, whether it be an almond, pecan, or hazelnut, works well with this dish. Not only do you get a nice crunch from it, but there’s also a flavor contrast that really enhances the overall experience.
• How do I store the Chocolate and Salted Caramel Bites?Keep in a sealed container inside the fridge for up to seven days.
• Can I use regular salt instead of sea salt flakes?Affirmative, yet employ a lesser amount due to the higher concentration of sodium chloride in the salt. Initiate with an infinitesimal amount and tailor it to your preferred flavor profile.
• Is there a substitute for double cream?If double cream is unavailable, heavy cream may be used as a substitute.
• How do I prevent the caramel from hardening too quickly?Make sure to let the sugar fully dissolve before you bring it to a boil and don’t stir the mixture while it’s cooking.
• Can I make these bites vegan?Substitute with vegan dark chocolate, coconut cream, and a plant-based butter like coconut oil or a non-dairy alternative.

Chocolate And Salted Caramel Bites Recipe Substitutions and Variations

You can use 200g of milk chocolate instead of 200g dark chocolate (70% cocoa) if you prefer a chocolate with a more subdued flavor.
If you want to make it dairy-free, substitute 100ml coconut cream for 100ml double cream.

Coconut cream is used in a reduction and gives us very rich flavor notes in this pasta!
If unsalted butter is unavailable, use 50g of salted butter and omit sea salt flakes.
Substitute 150g light brown sugar for the 150g granulated sugar to obtain a deeper caramel flavor.
If you lack vanilla extract, substitute it with 1 tsp almond extract to impart a distinct flavor profile.

Pro Tips

1. Caramel Clarity When making the caramel, ensure the sugar is fully dissolved in the water before letting it caramelize. If any undissolved sugar crystals remain, they can cause the caramel to seize or crystallize. You can brush the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystallization.

2. Temperature Matters Let your caramel cool slightly before adding it to the chocolate shells. If the caramel is too hot, it may melt the chocolate layers and create a mess. Aim for a warm, but not hot, caramel consistency for easy handling.

3. Smooth Chocolate When melting chocolate, make sure no water comes into contact with it, as this can cause seizing. Stir the chocolate gently and continuously to promote even melting. A silicone spatula works well for this task.

4. Layer Consistency For consistent layers, use a small spoon or a piping bag to carefully add the caramel and chocolate layers into the shells. This helps achieve precision and uniformity in each chocolate cup.

5. Enhance Flavors Consider lightly toasting the chopped nuts before garnishing, as this can enhance their flavor and add a delightful crunch to the finished chocolate cups. Make sure nuts are completely cool before adding them to avoid melting the chocolate surface.