You’d Be Hazelnuts Not to Try This One
Our caramel-hazelnut mocha is maybe the most luxurious homemade hot chocolate recipe of the bunch. Rich hazelnut, caramelly dulce de leche sauce, chocolate and, of course, the unmistakable extra something you only get when you use real milk. Make this one for people you really care about, or for ones you’re trying to win over. (It makes a great 3rd or 4th date drink. You know, the one where they come over for the first time. This recipe is ratioed for 10, but you can figure it out.)
This mocha can be paired with caramel pretzel stirrers if you like a little salt with your chocolate and something to do while you’re drinking. Plus, for plating purposes alone, these clubs of pretzel and chocolate chips make everything look even more appealing.
Ingredients
- Caramel Pretzel Stirrers (optional, see below)
- ¾ cup chocolate-hazelnut spread
- ½ cup caramel dessert topping or dulce de leche sauce
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee powder
- 8 cups milk (fat-free, 2% or whole)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
In Dutch oven or large saucepan place chocolate-hazelnut spread, caramel dessert topping, cocoa powder and coffee powder. Stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until hot. Do not boil. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.
Ladle milk mixture into ten 8- to 10-ounce mugs. Serve with Caramel Pretzel Stirrers, if desired.
Caramel Pretzel Stirrers
Unwrap 5 ounces of individually-wrapped, caramel candies. In 2-cup, microwave-safe, measuring cup combine caramels and 2 teaspoons water. Microwave on high (100% power) for 1 ½ to 2 minutes or until smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Working one at a time, dip 10 pretzel rods halfway into caramel mixture, allowing excess caramel to drip back into cup, and sprinkle caramel-coated rods with ¼ cup semisweet, miniature chocolate chips. Place on wax-paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate about 15 minutes or until set. If desired, Caramel Pretzel Stirrers may be placed in a single layer in wax-paper-lined freezer container. Cover and freeze for up to 1 month.