old-fashioned salted caramel hot chocolate

40 min

Hot stuff coming through with this super comforting hot chocolate! This reimagined version combines Natrel's Fine-Filtered Milk and Caramel Coffee Creamer to create the ultimate cold-weather beverage. Topped with melt-in-your-mouth homemade marshmallows and a pinch of fleur de sel to tantalize your taste buds, this old-fashioned recipe proves you can always reinvent the classics.

Ingredients Preparation

For the homemade marshmallows:

Canola oil
1 1/2 cups (375 ml) sugar
1/3 cup (75 ml) hot water
1/2 tsp (2.55 ml) vanilla extract
7 gelatin sheets
1/8 cup (25 ml) cold water
3 tbsp (45 ml) icing sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) cornstarch

For the old-fashioned salted caramel hot chocolate:

1 ½ cups (375 ml) Natrel Fine-Filtered 3.25 % Milk
1/2 cup (125 ml) Natrel Caramel Coffee Creamer
3.5 oz (100 g) milk chocolate chips (or wafers)
2 tbsp (30 ml) unsweetened cacao
1 tbsp (15 ml) cornstarch (optional)
1 pinch of fleur de sel
Natrel Caramel Coffee Creamer to taste (optional)

Prepare the homemade marshmallows:

Line a 33 x 23 cm (13 x 9 in.) dish with plastic wrap. Oil the plastic wrap with your hands so that all surfaces are thoroughly covered. This will make it easier to unmould the marshmallows later on.
In a bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, mix together the sugar and hot water. Beat until very creamy. Add the vanilla.
In another bowl, let the gelatin soften in the cold water for 5 minutes. Blitz the gelatin in the microwave if it isn’t completely dissolved. Add it to the sugar mixture.
Beat the mixture for approximately 10 minutes with the stand mixer or until it has the texture of a soft meringue. Pour it into the mould, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate the marshmallows overnight.

Prepare the old-fashioned salted caramel hot chocolate:

Take the marshmallows out of the refrigerator. On a plate, blend the icing sugar and the cornstarch. Cut your marshmallow rectangle into cubes and roll them gently in the icing sugar mixture. Set aside.
Pour the milk and the Natrel Caramel Coffee Creamer into a small pan. Add the chocolate pieces and the cacao. Heat at medium heat, stirring frequently with a whisk or wooden spoon, until the chocolate is melted, 3 to 4 minutes.
Optional: For an even creamier consistency, dissolve the cornstarch in 30 ml (2 tablespoons) of Natrel Caramel Coffee Creamer. Pour the mixture into the hot chocolate.
Stir the mixture until it is thick and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes at higher heat. Add a pinch of fleur de sel. Serve in a mug topped with a dollop of Natrel Caramel Coffee Creamer foam (optional) and a toasted marshmallow.