Creamy, lightly salted with a little crunch, these mini Salted Caramelized White Chocolate Bars deliver big on flavour with just three ingredients!
So, I hear it's May. Almost a full five months into 2017...WTF! I need a few dozen of these Salted Caramelized White Chocolate Bars to deal. WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?
The upside? It's my birthday month! YAAAAY! I generally don't make a big deal about it publicly, but I am feeling like I have lots to celebrate, considering the blows I was dealt the past couple years. So keep your eyes peeled for some birthday cake and goodies to come.
But first... Mother's Day!
How cool would it be to give your chocolate-loving mom a box of amazing homemade chocolate? Pretty effing amazing, RIGHT! If she happens to be a lover of white chocolate, then she will most definitely love these Salted Caramelized White Chocolate Bars.
But White Chocolate Isn't Really Chocolate...
I guess it depends...
Although, it's missing the cocoa solids that is present in its darker counterpart and uses milk solids instead, white chocolate contains cocoa butter. Cocoa butter provides a pleasant mouthfeel, snap and shine.
Where I am, the Food and Drug Regulations (Division 4), specifies that chocolate shall be made with only cocoa butter. Real chocolate does not contain any fats or oils other than cocoa butter. Once the cocoa butter is replaced with another fat substitute, it can no longer be labelled as chocolate. Instead, the product becomes chocolate-flavoured. Compound chocolate, such as candy melts, are a good example. The same goes for a lot of popular candy bars.
Admittedly, there was a time when I turned up my nose at anything that bore the name white chocolate. There is an abundance of chalky, waxy and overly sweet white chocolate on the market and I think that has been the experience of most who hate it. There are also creamy, smooth, mildly sweet, products on the market.
Good white chocolate made by brands like Green & Black's, Cacao Barry and Valrhona. I am still a die hard dark chocolate fan, but over the years I've developed an appreciation for white chocolate. If you are looking to be converted, Valrhona's Ivoire 35% will most certainly do the job.
Caramelized White Chocolate
I call it white chocolate with an attitude and a rich tan to match. Valrhona's Dulcey Blond is one such chocolate. If you can't get your hands the stuff, you can easily make caramelized white chocolate at home.
The secret to getting the best possible result, is to start with a high quality white chocolate that contains a high cocoa butter percentage. Use your favourite white chocolate brand with at least a 30% cocoa butter content. I use Valrhona Ivoire 35% for its rich, creamy, lightly sweet profile.
Whether you use homemade or store-bought, you will need to temper/pre-crystallize the chocolate to make these Salted Caramelized White Chocolate Bars. This produces a shiny, snappy, silky chocolate bar fit for that special person you call Mom!
Here's a quick video to help you whip up a batch of your own!
Ingredients
- 300 grams caramelized white chocolate Dulcey Blond 32%, or homemade
- 1 vanilla bean pod scraped
- smoked sea salt to taste
- organic cacao nibs as needed
Instructions
- Temper the Dulcey as you would white chocolate - melt and heat to 45ºC, drop to 26/27ºC and heat to a working temperature of 28/29ºC. Stir in the vanilla beans and salt.
- Prepare your mold and cast the chocolate, tapping out any air bubbles and scraping away any excess from the surface.
- Sprinkle with sea salt and cacao nibs and allow to set at room temperature.
- Place in the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes to help the chocolate contract and release from mold.
Fred Nonterah says
First of all, happy birthday in advance Jacqueline! Yeah, as the years go by I've become more an more grateful for life, go on and make a big deal about your birthday because its a blessing! Anyway, I really love white chocolate and to spice with some salt, oh yeah! Thanks for sharing Jacqueline!
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
Thanks for the bday wishes, Fred. As you love white chocolate, you will most definitely love its caramelized cousin! 🙂
Nicole says
Anything salty and sweet needs to get into my mouth. These look so rich and decadent!! I can't wait to make them myself.
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
Hope you do.
Gloria @ H says
Well Happy Birthday ... mine is in May too. I happen to LOVE white chocolate....and I think I am the only person that does. Guess that means I DON'T have to share right??
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
Birthday wishes to you, Gloria. That means you DO NOT have to share! 😉
Tara says
It is my birthday next week! These bars look like the perfect way to celebrate. I love the mold you used! The flavors sound incredible.
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
Happy Belated Birthday, Tara!! Sending you a virtual batch of chocolate to continue the celebration!
Danielle says
You MADE these? Amazing! I've never experimented with chocolate or candy before. So brave!
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
Hahaaa...that is the reaction I often get when I take things into my office. Thank you!
Corina says
These look delicious! I would certainly love it if someone made them for me for mother's day. I have always liked white chocolate but haven't ever made my own bars with it. It's also great to see a salted version as I don't think I'd seen that with white chocolate before.
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
The smoked salt was a nice complement to the chocolate, helped to balance the sweetness. I'll be sure to send a virtual batch to you next Mother's Day! 😉
Marie-Pierre Breton says
First of all happy Birthday! I bought some nice cacao butter in Guadeloupe last year and didn't know what to do with it! Now I know! Love the combination of sweet and salty!
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
Ah, can't wait to see what you do with it!! Thanks for the bday wishes!
Nicole says
This is lovely, so quick and easy! - I'd love to try this with some fun moulds - never really checked out white chocolate, but I certainly will now!
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
white chocolate gets a bad rap, but quality white chocolate exists and should be given a chance, especially when caramelized!
Sarah says
Salted caramel anything is perfection in my book!
Margot says
I'm not sure what I like the most about this recipe... if this is the salted caramel addition or white chocolate! Your bars look delicious and my girls would definitely love it.
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
Thanks!!
Lynne Curry says
These are beautiful! And I"ll eat anything with cacao nibs and sea salt. Have a wonderful birthday!
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
Thanks! YAAAY for cacao nibs - love its intense flavour and crunchy texture!
Derek | Dad With A Pan says
Absolutely amazing! These look great to put in a morning coffee too! I need to get my hands on some smoked sea salt, that sounds delicious
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
I din't have any on hand when I made these, but try the Maldon smoked sea salt flakes. It's what I use normally.
Deb|EastofEdenCooking says
You had my complete attention! Caramelized white chocolate and only three ingredients, a wow treat!
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
So WOW, Deb! I had a few colleagues come up to me for weeks after I'd taken them into work, saying how great they were.
Adrienne says
What brand of mold is this? I am unable to find something small scale.
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
CW2257 from Chocolate World