Chocolate with caramel is available as creamy milk chocolate, dark chocolate with caramel, salted caramel chocolate, biscuits, bites and protein bars. With such a wide range, it’s important to compare. An attractive packet doesn’t tell you much about the amount of caramel, the nutritional value, or whether it’s right for your occasion.
Whether you’re looking for a chocolate snack on the go, a chocolate gift or a bar to share, pay close attention to the ingredients, portion size and allergens.
“Caramel” or “salted caramel” on the packaging could refer to caramel pieces, a liquid filling, caramel flavouring or caramelised sugar. Always check the ingredients list and the percentage when it’s stated.
With Tony’s Chocolonely Milk Caramel Seasalt, the bar consists of milk chocolate with 10% caramel pieces and 0.5% sea salt, according to the product information. Lindt Excellence Dark Caramel & Sea Salt states 6% caramel pieces and 0.3% fleur de sel. These are different textures and flavour balances, even though both products contain the words “caramel” and “sea salt”.
A protein bar with caramel can contain significantly more protein than a classic chocolate bar, but it often also includes sweeteners, polyols, fibre or protein crisps. According to product information, excessive consumption of polyols may have a laxative effect.
Fulfil Chocolate Salted Caramel Flavour Vitamin & Protein Bar contains 37 g of protein, 23 g of polyols and 3.1 g of sugars per 100 g. The bar weighs 55 g. XXL Nutrition N’Joy Protein Bar Chocolate Caramel states 36.5 g of protein per 100 g, 26 g of polyols and 2.6 g of sugars. Always compare per bar and per 100 g.
A bag or multipack can be handy for a family, the office or a film night, but check the shelf life, portion size and storage conditions. A 367 g bag of M&M’s Salted Caramel Chocolate Bites is designed for sharing, whereas an individual chocolate caramel bar is easier to portion.
For a gift or when guests are coming, individually wrapped products can be practical. Bonne Maman Chocolate Caramel Tartlets, for example, contains 9 individually wrapped tartlets in a 135 g pack.
Use the nutritional information table to compare products fairly. Classic chocolate with caramel typically contains around 500 to 550 kcal per 100 g according to the product information provided, while a small portion provides fewer calories.
Look out for:
A product with less sugar isn’t automatically low in energy. Check the full table, not just one claim on the front.
Always check whether the product contains milk, soya, gluten, nuts, peanuts or egg. Tony’s Chocolonely Milk Pecan Caramel Chocolate Bar contains, among other things, pecans, milk, soya and gluten-containing cereals. Fulfil contains milk, soya and barley, and may contain traces of egg, nuts and peanuts according to the product information.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, the current packaging is the definitive guide. Product compositions can change.
Why this suits the profile: A familiar milk chocolate bar weighing 100 g with a soft caramel filling for a simple snack moment.
The product information clearly states a liquid caramel filling and a net weight of 100 g.
Milk chocolate, caramel filling and resealable packaging according to the product description.
Why this suits the profile: Ideal for those who appreciate dark chocolate, thin bars and a combination of caramel with sea salt.
The cocoa content of at least 47%, 6% caramel pieces and 0.3% fleur de sel are clearly stated.
Dark chocolate with caramel pieces and sea salt; allergens milk and soya are listed.
Why this suits the profile: A compact chocolate caramel protein bar for consumers who want extra protein after exercise or on the go.
The table lists the protein content as well as sugar, polyols, fat and salt. This allows you to compare the bar with regular chocolate.
55 g per bar, 37 g of protein per 100 g and added vitamins according to the product information.
Why this suits the profile: The large bag of small bites is perfect for a film night, birthday or any occasion where several people can help themselves.
The portions are small and the total content is clearly stated as 367 g, so you can tailor the product for sharing.
Bites with a salted caramel centre; according to the product information, 21% of the product is the caramel centre.
We’ve put together a full, up-to-date list of products that fully meet these strict selection criteria and comply with current European safety regulations.
Caramel chocolate usually contains caramel in the form of pieces, sauce, filling or flavouring. Salted caramel chocolate also contains salt. Check the ingredients list if you want to know whether it’s sea salt, table salt or another type of salt.
Store chocolate in a cool, dry and dark place, away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture. Most product information provided mentions room temperature or dry storage. Always check the packaging for the exact best-before date and storage advice.
A protein bar can be a practical snack after exercise, but it is not a substitute for a varied diet. Compare protein, carbohydrates, fat, polyols and allergens. Also follow the usage instructions for the specific product.