The Way Caramel Should Taste

I was recently caught by all the possibilities presented by the amazing caramel products made by Le Caramel.  Le Caramel is a very small company in California, but their recipes come directly from Normandy.  I have always had a major love for chocolate, but what some may not have realized is that I have an almost equal love for caramel.  Not all caramels are created equal though and most are so cloyingly sweet that they miss the point entirely.  Much as I love caramel, it isn't something I even try to make often because it isn't as good as what I would hope.

Enter Le Caramel.

The Caramel Cream made with Salted Butter from Le Caramel really lives up to their claim that it is The Way Caramel Should Taste.  It is perfection on a spoon.  The flavor is deep and complicated and hits all the right notes.  The possibilities on how to use it are endless!  As Christen from Le Caramel encouraged me though, just start out with a spoon and dig in!

As if that weren't enough of a worthy goal, Le Caramel has taken the art of perfect caramel even further. They make CARAMEL SYRUP (can anyone else say creme brulee french toast - or just stir it in your coffee) and a wonderful CARAMEL TOPPING (cut an apple, dip, repeat, nuff said) as well as candies.

BUT...

...Without a doubt (and no surprise I'm sure) my absolute favorite is their new CARAMEL CREAM MADE WITH CHOCOLATE.  It is the Caramel Cream made with Salted Butter and the addition of good bittersweet chocolate.

Does anyone else hear angels singing?

I'm not kidding, when I got my package I was absolutely GIDDY.  Giddy people.  I kid you not.  It felt like Christmas morning.  I got that spoon and just dug in.  

How to describe how transcendent this stuff is?  Let's put it this way.  If someone put a spoonful of this in my mouth every morning for the rest of my life, I'm pretty sure I would be the happiest and most well adjusted Mom on the planet.  

In fact, I have almost demolished my jar because I've been making myself Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate every morning.  It couldn't be simpler, faster or better.  I was a big fan of the Starbuck's version - but it can't even begin to compare.  Especially now that kids are back in school and their is a bit of a chill starting in the early morning air, I know what is going to get me through the winter now!

The ingredients used are simple straightforward and natural.  You know I love doing everything from scratch, but I'm not at all opposed to getting my hands on something crafted by someone who really knows what they are doing and take such care with their products.

Buy your Le Caramel now! You'll be so happy you did!

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

1 cup hot milk

1-2 tablespoons Caramel Cream made with Chocolate

pinch of fleur de sel or fine sea salt

Whisk together and enjoy! It doesn't need anything else, but you could top it with some whipped cream, cocoa, cinnamon, or chocolate curls - just if you need that fancy touch.