We’re going to keep this short, and well, sweet. After all, it is hump day for my 5 Days of Sweets.

I have a friend celebrating a birthday this week. I asked what she’d like me to make for her. Her response, “something chocolate.” Well, I can do that.  How can you go wrong with making a basic caramel base, stirring in cocoa powder, then topping the candies with a generous sprinkling of sea salt?

Chocolate Caramels with Sea Salt – adapted from Food Network Magazine, December 2011

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 cups light corn syrup
• 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon sea salt

Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment  paper or foil and coat with non-stick cooking spray. Melt butter in a large sauce pan, then add sugar, light corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk and cocoa powder. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer reaches 248 degrees, about 15 minutes. Pour into prepared pan, sprinkle with sea salt while still warm. Cool completely, cut into 1-inch square pieces. Wrap in waxed paper squares.

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