Behind the Seasoning: Salted Caramel Spice

Salted caramel spice was made for those who can never choose between salty and sweet. If you like blending your flavors, our Salted Caramel Spice is about to become your new go-to spice blend—for both sweet and savory dishes.

What is Salted Caramel Spice?

The flavor of salted caramel originated in Brittany, France. As you might expect, our Salted Caramel Spice is a salty, sweet spice blend. When it came to turning salted caramel into a seasoning, we stuck to the essential flavors to bring out the best tastes of this familiar combination. A rich blend of sugar and butter mixes with a hint of salt and vanilla to make the perfect balance of flavors. What results is a spice that isn’t overly sweet or salty but just right.

Where and How to Buy Salted Caramel Spice?

Salted caramel spice isn’t your everyday spice blend, so it is best to head to our store and buy this unique, salty-sweet spice mix. If you’d rather see where you can purchase the mix in-store (and maybe try a taste for yourself), our store locator feature will assist you in finding a store near you where you can check it out in person. 

What does Salted Caramel Spice taste like?

If you didn’t guess by the name, our Salted Caramel Spice tastes pretty much exactly like it sounds. Caramel is sweet, and the addition of salt is both salty (obviously!) and brings out the richness. The combination creates a balanced, buttery flavor that is perfect for adding to baked goods or sprinkling on top of your favorite breakfast dish for a nice, sweet touch. But don't stop there. Adding caramel sweetness to savory dishes like BBQ sauces and wings can create an unexpected taste that is both surprising and delightful.

What spices are in Salted Caramel Spice?

Salted Caramel Spice is a dry, powdered version of salted caramel. This might sound crazy but we use the same ingredients you'd use to make salted caramel, which is what gives this seasoning blend it's perfect and distinctive flavor. This sweet and salty spice is sugary and rich but is balanced by the addition of salt. 

The caramelized sweetness of the spice blend comes from a dry, powdered molasses, gives the blend its signature toasted sugar flavor. Butter is what makes caramel, well caramel instead of just caramelized sugar. Butter powder and dry milk adds the essential richness and creaminess. The final ingredients, vanilla bean powder, and salt round out the blend to balance the flavors and add a slight complexity.

What kind of salt is used in salted caramel?

Most recipes for salted caramel recommend a flake salt, since a fine salt is more likely to partially or fully dissolve in the sauce. Similarly, our Salted Caramel Spice uses a coarse, flaky salt to ensure that the salt flavor is distinctive and noticeable. It also adds a subtle crunch that pairs perfectly with the granulated molasses.

What is the difference between salted caramel and caramel?

When it comes to regular caramel and salted caramel, the difference is all in the salt. Regular caramel is rich, buttery, and sweet, while salted caramel has a slightly more complex and balanced flavor because of the addition of salt. The salt adds a contrast of flavor that isn’t straight-up sweet like plain caramel, making it a more versatile flavor.

Is caramel and dulce de leche the same thing?

While the sweet sauces may look very similar in appearance and have a similar taste, they are distinct. You'll notice a slight difference when you break down the ingredient list. Dulce de leche is made from simmering milk and sugar. Caramel, on the other hand, is made by melting sugar and then combining it with butter and heavy cream.  

What is Salted Caramel Spice used for?

When it comes to our Salted Caramel Spice, we like to throw all the rules out the window. This means using it for breakfast, snacks, and dinner.

While desserts are probably the most obvious choice, using it for breakfast might be a close second. Mix it into coffee with a splash of cream for a salted caramel "latte" or add it to black tea or hot cocoa for a touch of caramel sweetness. Try this salty-sweet spice blend on pancakes or waffles, stirred into yogurt, or swap your Cinnamon Sugar toast for salted caramel toast.

For a midday snack, sprinkle some on sliced apples or other fruit. Don't be afraid to venture into savory territory, this spice can be added when making BBQ sauces or glazes for pork chops, wings, and more.

Salted Caramel Spice can also be used more conventionally to sprinkle on top of cookies or quick breads, mixed into ice cream, to make a simple syrup, or to flavor frosting. Honestly, the possibilities are limitless.

What can be substituted for Salted Caramel Spice?

Don’t let an empty bottle of salted caramel spice bring you down. Luckily, there are some great substitutions that will replace the flavor in a pinch. If you're using it as a topping or in coffee and other drinks, salted caramel sauce (or even regular caramel with the salt of your choice) will be an excellent flavor replacement. The texture will be different since it is a thicker sauce, but the flavor you want will still be there.

As a sprinkle or seasoning, try pairing Bourbon Barrel Smoked Sugar, Vanilla Bean Sugar, or even Maple Sugar with a pinch of Kosher Salt. You might miss some of the buttery notes but you'll get the sweet and salty combo you're craving.

Recipes using Salted Caramel Spice

This possibilities are unlimited with this sweet and salty spice. While desserts and breakfast are an obvious direction, don't sleep on savory uses or snacks. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Season popcorn: Sprinkle on popcorn for a caramel corn flavor with much less work. (Or try our other popcorn seasonings!)
• Add to baked goods: Use in place of sugar to top snickerdoodles and other cookies, quick breads, cakes, and more.
• Spice up fresh fruit: Inspired by a childhood favorite, try this topping on sliced apples or other fruit as well as fresh berries.
• Sprinkle on breakfast: The sky is the limit here...upgrade toast, pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, muffins, and more with this caramel flavor.
• Mix into glazes and sauces: This flavor might be a sweet treat but it will also add richness to savory dishes. Mix into BBQ sauce, marinades, or glazes.

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