Chocolate or caramel? Or both?

Do we really have to choose?

Drooling over salted caramel chocolate brownies. Credit: Adam Liaw

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Asking us to choose between chocolate and caramel is like asking a parent to choose their favourite child. Of course, we love both equally... just one more than the other sometimes.

Praline start

A sprinkle of salt flakes is the finishing touch to this rich praline of macadamias, pecans and cashews. Credit: Adam Liaw

The only thing that would make this divine roasted nut and caramel praline better would be to go off-recipe and liberally coat it with dark chocolate. Just a thought...

Sliced duo

Up your chocky slice game with a pretty feathered topping. Credit: Alan Benson

Chocolate caramel slice is a perennial favourite for good reason. A biscuit base, gooey caramel centre and liberal chocolate topping is a combination made in heaven.

Top this

This chilled cake of layered biscuits, whipped cream and caramel-chocolate topping will hit the spot. Credit: Kitti Gould

When the chocolate and caramel toppings start drizzling, your tastebuds start sizzling. Or something like that... Just know that you need this triple ripple ice cream cake in your mouth immediately.

Yaytime every time

Yay to paying homage to an Aussie ice-cream classic. Credit: Danielle Abou Karam

While we're on the subject of ice cream, have you ever made your own yaytimes? The brown bread toffee ice cream is amazing, the crispy chocolate shell is magic and the whole thing is just a delicious excuse to use up wasted bread.

1,2,3 bite

With ingredients like oats, coconut oil, yoghurt and cocoa, these bites are healthier than you'd think. Credit: Adam Liaw

This triple-decker chocolate peanut butter fudge recipe had us at 'triple-decker'. Because that means leaving teeth-bite marks in layers of everything we love.

Sold on flan

If it's caramel you want, then it's flan you need. Credit: Adam Liaw

The French crème caramel inspired the Mexican flan which inspired us to almost love caramel more than chocolate. Warning: this recipe is scarily easy to make.

Strudel smiles

Threading caramel through your apples makes strudel very happy indeed. Add a scoop of ice cream and comfort awaits.

Good side

Mix in whatever you fancy (personally we're choosing choc chips...). Credit: Kitti Gould

Caramel popcorn is also in contention for 'favourite child'. It's just so sweetly, salty, crunchingly moreish.

Sorry, Caramel

Everyone needs a secret recipe for the perfect chocolate cake. This is Adam Liaw's.

Just when you thought caramel might be winning, chocolate brings out its biggest gun. Can anything ever beat a layered chocolate cake?

So saucy

A sauce of brown sugar, cocoa and boiling water is poured over these puddings just before they're baked, which creates the luxurious self-saucing effect. Credit: Adam Liaw

Another big contender: the chocolate pudding. In this case, a self-saucing chocolate pudding that magically turns boiling water into a rich chocolate sauce while you put your feet up and the oven goes YES.

Thumbs up

Each mouthful is a mixture of smooth, salted caramel and crisp, malt-scented cookie. Credit: Adam Liaw

These salted thumprint bickies hit the spot when just a dollop of caramel is enough. A hint of malt in the biscuits really enhances the caramel notes, making these sweeties a new instant favourite.

Steady contender

This chocolate soufflé starts with a base made with melted 70% cocoa dark chocolate and cocoa powder for rich chocolate flavour. Credit: Kitti Gould

The chocolate soufflé has a reputation for being a bit of a heart-stopper to pull off. But as long as you keep your folding technique whispery light, it's actually just a show-stopper.

Mic drop

Credit: Adam Liaw

This salted caramel chocolate brownie is why we love our children equally. When they play nicely together, they are simply perfect.