Last year, Melissa Clark (my foodie idol) wrote an article for the New York Times Dining section in which she and various food critics, pastry chefs, and other culinary folks compared chocolate-covered salted caramels. They chose 27 different high-quality, small-batch, handmade caramels from various chocolatiers, and conducted a blind taste test to determine the best of the best. My first thought was “how can I get a job like that?” Next thought: I gotta try some of these caramels! So it was that through this article, I discovered the deliciousness of the salted milk-chocolate caramels from Hedonist Artisan Chocolates, in Rochester NY.
The Times called these caramels “chewy and well balanced,” and pointed out their hint of vanilla and perfect hit of crunchy salt. I couldn’t agree more. The caramel has just the right consistency and chew, the chocolate a perfect texture and flavor, and the crunch of the sea salt adds juuust the right savory touch to balance out this sweet confection.
If you’re going to splurge, don’t do it on M&Ms from CVS (this is not me being on a soapbox, this is basically me talking to myself). Treat yourself to these incredibly high quality and exponentially more-delicious-than-store-bought chocolates, which are worth every penny. This would make a wonderful gift for anyone with a sweet tooth as well! You can get a box of all milk (like I do), all dark, or half and half, depending on your preference.
Oh and by the way, I became so enamored with these that I never did get around to trying any of the other caramels that the Times article sampled. All in due time!
photos by me
Um, holy moly. These look amazing! Dark chocolate, sea salt and caramel are the BEST comboβI need to try these!
They're so good! I hope you try 'em out!
Tell me that you had them delivered and didn't drive all the way to Rochester for them.
Rebecca {at} Preppy Panache
Haha, no! Though that does sound like something I would do… π
Those are beautiful! My husband and sister love caramels, so I think a box of these will have to make their debut at our house for Christmas!
Ooh such a good idea! Perfect for holiday sharing.