Instructions

Making the Salted Caramel Sauce

1. Add the granulated super to a medium sized saucepan (3 quart size works well).
2. Place it over medium-high heat and cook, watching the entire time and stirring occasionally, until the sugar is golden brown and completely melted.
3. Carefully add the butter and the vanilla bean paste. Whisk the ingredients vigorously until the butter is completely melted. The contents of the saucepan will bubble up, so caution should be used.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and very carefully and slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking.
5. The caramel sauce will bubble, but keep whisking until the mixture is completely incorporated. Stir in the sea salt.

Safety Tip: Do NOT lick the spoon immediately as the caramel sauce will be very hot and can burn your mouth quite badly.

Making the Hot Chocolate Base

1. Add the cornstarch and milk to a medium saucepan. Whisk until completely combined and no lumps remain.
2. Then, add the vanilla bean to the milk mixture. Slowly bring the milk to a simmer over medium heat, stirring periodically.
3. Then, reduce the heat to low and and let the vanilla bean steep in the milk mixture for 15 minutes.
4. After the vanilla has infused the milk, remove the vanilla bean and add the dark chocolate and sugar. 
5. Stir using a wooden spoon while still using low heat, until the sugar has dissolved completely, the dark chocolate has melted, and the hot chocolate drink is completely heated through.
6. Stir in 4 tablespoons of the caramel sauce. Reserve the remaining for garnish and/or for another use.

Making the Vanilla Whipped Cream

1. Combine the cold heavy cream and vanilla or vanilla paste in a chilled non-reactive bowl.
2. Whisk by hand or using an electric mixture until the cream holds a loose peak.
3. Then, sprinkle the sugar on top of the whipped cream and continue beating until soft peaks are formed. A soft peak will hold a lazy curve when the beater or whisk is held upside down.

Serving the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

1. Once the homemade hot chocolate is warmed through, pour into glasses. 
2. Top with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
3. Serve.