How to Make Caramel:
Caramel is simply sugar that has been melted and heated to the point where the molecules break down and form a new, semi-solid compound. It’s science at its tastiest! To make caramel you first place sugar in a pan over a medium or medium low heat. It’s important to stir constantly as the sugar is heated so that it does not burn. The sugar will clump together at first and slowly turn into a liquid. As heat continues to be applied, the liquid will turn to a golden brown color that is often referred to as a caramel color. At this point you have a liquid caramel. As the caramel reaches various specific temperature points it will reach various stages of solidity from a liquid syrup (110 °C /230 °F), to soft ball (113°C /235°F), firm ball like a chewy caramel candy(113°C /235°F), to a hard crack stage (146°C /295°F). In this recipe the caramel is infused with cinnamon by caramelizing the sugar with two cinnamon sticks in it. The sugar will take on the cinnamon flavor as it caramelizes. Pretty cool, huh?
Milk Options for Caramelized Cinnamon Hot Chocolate:
If you do not drink dairy milk, you can use your favorite lactose-free or plant-based milk substitute. For best results, use a milk alternative that is higher in fat, such as oat or soy milk. If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious drink recipes:
Hot Chocolate SpoonsSlow Cooker Apple CiderDecadently Thick Italian Hot ChocolateOld Fashioned Homemade Eggnog
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