What Makes Our Award-Winning Double Sea Salt Caramels So Popular?
Published: June 2026 | Updated: June 2026
Looking for the best sea salt caramels? The most memorable sea salt caramels balance sweetness, richness, texture, and a touch of salt that enhances rather than overwhelms the flavor. At Jean-Marie Auboine Chocolatier, our Double Sea Salt Caramels have become one of our signature creations thanks to their unique double-layered caramel center, premium dark chocolate, and French Guérande fleur de sel.
Recognized by The New York Times during a chocolate tasting panel in 2013, they remain one of our most requested chocolates more than a decade later.
Explore Our Award-Winning Double Sea Salt Caramels →
Why Are Sea Salt Caramels So Popular?
Few flavor combinations have become as universally loved as sweet and salty.
While caramel has been enjoyed for centuries, the addition of sea salt transformed it from a simple confection into one of the most celebrated dessert flavors in the world. Today, you'll find salted caramel in everything from pastries and ice cream to coffee drinks and chocolates.
The reason is surprisingly simple.
Salt doesn't merely add a salty flavor. It enhances sweetness, balances bitterness, and helps reveal deeper flavor notes that might otherwise go unnoticed. When paired with chocolate and caramel, it creates a more complex and satisfying tasting experience.
A great sea salt caramel doesn't taste salty. Instead, the salt works behind the scenes, making every other flavor taste better.
What Makes a Great Sea Salt Caramel?
Not all sea salt caramels are created equal.
Many commercial versions rely heavily on sugar, leaving little room for nuance or balance. The best sea salt caramels focus on harmony between several key elements:
Rich caramel flavor
High-quality chocolate
Premium sea salt
Smooth texture
Balanced sweetness
Layers of flavor
When one element dominates, the experience becomes one-dimensional.
The goal is not to create the sweetest caramel possible. The goal is to create a caramel that keeps you reaching for another piece.
That philosophy has guided Chef Jean-Marie Auboine throughout his career, from his early training in France to his work in luxury hotels and his eventual creation of Jean-Marie Auboine Chocolatier in Las Vegas.
Why Is It Called a Double Sea Salt Caramel?
The answer is found inside the chocolate itself.
Unlike many sea salt caramels that feature a single caramel center, the Double Sea Salt Caramel combines two distinct layers.
The Double Sea Salt Caramel combines two complementary layers: a silky sea salt caramel ganache and a soft sea salt caramel, enrobed in dark chocolate and finished with French Guérande fleur de sel.
The ganache layer provides richness and creaminess, while the caramel layer delivers a deeper caramel flavor and smooth texture.
Together, they create a more complex tasting experience than a traditional caramel-filled chocolate.
The result is luxurious without being heavy, rich without being overly sweet, and indulgent without sticking to your teeth.
What Is Guérande Fleur de Sel?
One of the details that helps elevate this chocolate is the use of French Guérande fleur de sel.
Fleur de sel, which translates to "flower of salt," is a delicate sea salt traditionally harvested by hand from salt marshes in the Guérande region of western France.
Unlike ordinary table salt, fleur de sel contains naturally occurring minerals and offers a softer, more nuanced flavor. Its delicate crystals dissolve slowly, allowing the salt to enhance the chocolate and caramel without overpowering them.
For French pastry chefs and chocolatiers, fleur de sel has long been considered one of the finest finishing salts available.
It's a small ingredient, but one that makes a remarkable difference.
The Story Behind Our Double Sea Salt Caramels
Some chocolates become signature products because of marketing.
Others become signature products because customers simply can't stop buying them.
The Double Sea Salt Caramels fall firmly into the second category.
Created by Chef Jean-Marie Auboine, the recipe was designed to showcase the balance between sweetness, salt, texture, and chocolate. Rather than relying on sugar alone, the chocolate offers layers of flavor that evolve from the first bite to the last.
The crisp dark chocolate shell gives way to creamy ganache, followed by soft caramel and the delicate finish of fleur de sel.
That progression of textures and flavors is one reason these chocolates continue to be among our most popular creations year after year.
Recognized by The New York Times in 2013
In 2013, Jean-Marie Auboine Chocolatier's Double Sea Salt Caramels received national recognition during a New York Times chocolate tasting panel.
For a growing chocolatier, the recognition represented an important milestone and introduced the product to a broader audience.
While trends in chocolate continue to evolve, the Double Sea Salt Caramel has remained a customer favorite for more than a decade.
The recipe that impressed tasting panelists in 2013 continues to be handcrafted today using the same commitment to quality ingredients and careful execution.
Why Do Customers Keep Coming Back?
Many chocolates are purchased once out of curiosity.
The Double Sea Salt Caramels are often purchased again and again.
Over the years, customers have told us they love:
The balance between sweet and salty flavors
The smooth texture of the caramel
The richness of the dark chocolate
The delicate finish from the fleur de sel
The layered tasting experience
The fact that the caramel remains soft rather than sticky
For many guests, they become the benchmark against which all other sea salt caramels are judged.
How Should You Enjoy Double Sea Salt Caramels?
One of the reasons these chocolates have become so popular is their versatility.
With Coffee
The slight bitterness of coffee pairs beautifully with the sweetness of caramel and dark chocolate.
After Dinner
A single piece offers a satisfying finish to a meal without feeling overly heavy.
As a Gift
Sea salt caramels have broad appeal, making them one of the safest and most appreciated chocolate gifts.
For Special Occasions
They are equally at home in a corporate gift box, holiday assortment, celebration, or personal treat.
What Makes Our Double Sea Salt Caramels Different From Ordinary Caramels?
The difference lies in both ingredients and craftsmanship.
Many mass-produced caramels focus on shelf life and consistency above all else. Premium handcrafted chocolates focus on flavor, texture, and balance.
Our Double Sea Salt Caramels feature:
A double-layered caramel center
Premium dark chocolate
French Guérande fleur de sel
Handcrafted production
A texture designed to melt smoothly in the mouth
Every component is there for a reason.
Nothing is added simply for appearance.
The result is a chocolate that delivers complexity while remaining approachable and enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Our Double Sea Salt Caramel features two distinct layers: a sea salt caramel ganache and a soft sea salt caramel. The combination creates a richer flavor experience while maintaining a smooth texture.
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The caramel layers are enrobed in premium dark chocolate. The slight bitterness of dark chocolate provides a beautiful contrast to the sweetness of the caramel while allowing the fleur de sel to shine.
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No. One of the qualities customers appreciate most about our Double Sea Salt Caramels is their soft, smooth texture. The caramel is crafted to remain creamy and luxurious rather than chewy or sticky, allowing the flavors of the caramel, chocolate, and fleur de sel to take center stage.
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Fleur de sel, which translates to "flower of salt," is a delicate sea salt traditionally harvested by hand from the Guérande region of France. Unlike ordinary table salt, fleur de sel offers a more nuanced flavor and a delicate texture. We use it to enhance the caramel and dark chocolate while adding a subtle finishing touch that elevates the overall tasting experience.
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Yes. Unlike some seasonal creations, the Double Sea Salt Caramel is one of our signature chocolates and is available throughout the year in our stores and online, subject to availability.
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The recipe combines several elements that chocolate lovers consistently seek out: premium dark chocolate, smooth caramel, balanced sweetness, and the delicate touch of French fleur de sel. Combined with recognition from a New York Times tasting panel in 2013, the Double Sea Salt Caramel has earned a loyal following and remains one of our most requested chocolates today.
Experience One of Our Signature Chocolates
More than a decade after being recognized by The New York Times, our Double Sea Salt Caramels continue to delight chocolate lovers with their balance of flavor, texture, and craftsmanship.
Featuring a silky sea salt caramel ganache layered over soft sea salt caramel, enrobed in dark chocolate and finished with French Guérande fleur de sel, they remain one of the most beloved creations at Jean-Marie Auboine Chocolatier.
Whether you're discovering them for the first time or returning to a longtime favorite, it's easy to understand why they have earned a place among our signature chocolates.
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