Dark Chocolate Caramel

Dark Chocolate Caramel

Dark chocolate caramel is an extremely popular taste combination, and the number and variety of products reflects this popularity.  Caramel, which started as a unique and different way to prepare sugar treats, was combined with dark chocolate in the mid-1800s, and the rest really is history.

Dark Chocolate with Caramel Filling

Caramel is a firm chewy candy made from caramelized sugar, butter, and milk, plus maybe some vanilla or other flavoring.  It seems that caramel was introduced in North America in the mid 1600s.  By the mid 1800s caramels were extremely popular in America, and were gainng a large following in Europe.  Milton Hershey started out making caramels, and was originally interested in chocolate as a coating for his caramels.  The combination of chocolate and caramel started gaining popularity about this time.

The dark chocolate with caramel combination can now be found in three main forms:  dark chocolate, caramel, and various kinds of nuts (this combination is often called "turtles", especially with pecans); bite-sized dark chocolates coating a caramel filling; and of course dark chocolate bars.  There are also a few extras, such as with pretzels, and dark chocolate with caramel drink mix.

Turtles

The combination of chocolate, caramel, and nuts is often called a Turtle, especiallly if the chosen nut is pecan.  But I've also seen them called Brags, Clusters, Myrtles, Patties and Puddles.  Whatever you call them, they are declicious and very popular, such as:

Ashers Dark Pecan Caramel Pattie
  • Artisan Candies Chocolate Caramel Pecan Puddle
  • Pecan, Almond, or Cashew Turtles
  • Positively Pecan Clusters
  • Pecan Caramel Patties, with or without dried blueberries
  • Pecan Brags
  • Pecan Myrtles
  • Orange Peel with Walnut Caramel Patties

Ashers Dark Vanilla Caramel

Individual Bites

These might be simple:  just dark chocolate around a regular caramel, or they could be fancier, perhaps handmade in small batches by specialty shops.  The caramel itself might contain vanilla, or even additional chocolate

Ghirardelli Caramel Squares

Dark Chocolate Bars

  • Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Caramel Squares
  • Ghirardelli 60% Intense Dark Citrus Sunset
  • Lake Champlain Rum Caramel
  • Sjaak's Dark Chocolate with Caramel

Extras

An interesting combination I have found is basically a turtle on a stick -- dark chocolate, caramel, and nuts on a pretzel stick.  I've also seen hot cocoa mix with caramel.  Finally, dark chocolate covered fruit often comes with caramel.

Photo credits:

  • Top photo, forums.pelicanparts.com
  • Caramel Filling, friendseat.com
  • Pecan Pattie, www.candy.com
  • Individual Bite, www.candy.com
  • Ghirardelli Caremel, www.ghirardelli.com

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