You may be familiar with dulcey or caramelised white chocolate, which is a technique developed by the renowned chocolatiers Valrhona.
The process of caramelising produces a toasty, somewhat nutty, and, you guessed it, “caramel”-like flavour. I’ve included step-by-step instructions for making caramelised white chocolate at home in the photos below.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 12 ounces (340g) high-quality white chocolate (block or fèves)
- Pinch of flaky sea salt
- Optional: 1-2 tablespoons unflavored vegetable oil or cocoa butter (for smoother melting)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 250°F (120°C).
- Prepare the Chocolate: Chop the white chocolate into coarse pieces and spread it evenly on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Initial Heating: Place the baking sheet in the oven and heat the chocolate for 10 minutes. After this time, remove it and give it a good stir using a clean, dry spatula.
- Continue Cooking: Return the chocolate to the oven, stirring every 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it; the texture might become lumpy or chalky at times, but don’t worry—continue stirring until it smooths out.
- Monitor the Color: Cook the chocolate for an additional 30-60 minutes, or until it turns a deep golden brown and is well caramelized. The final color should resemble that of natural peanut butter.
- Add Salt: Once caramelized, stir in a pinch of flaky sea salt to enhance the flavor.
- Smooth It Out: If the chocolate is still lumpy, transfer it to a bowl and blend it with an immersion blender or a food processor until smooth.
- Store: Pour the caramelized white chocolate into a jar and let it cool. Store at room temperature in a cool, dry place. It can last for several months.
Tips
- If you find your white chocolate is grainy from overcooking, you can press it through a fine mesh sieve to improve the texture.
- For the best results, use white chocolate with a high cocoa butter content (at least 30%) to ensure smooth melting and caramelization.
- Adding a bit of vegetable oil or cocoa butter at the start can help the chocolate melt more smoothly.
Enjoy this delicious caramelized white chocolate in various desserts or as a sweet topping!
