If you've ever dipped a french fry in a milkshake or munched on kettle corn, then you know the deliciousness that happens when sweet meets savory. The same way salt enhances the flavor in savory food, it makes plenty of sweets taste sweeter and also creates another dimension of flavor. Consider the recent phenomenon that is salted caramel, which is found everywhere from your morning coffee to the doughnut you might be pairing it with. While you can find plenty of recipes for cupcakes, brownies and cookies that are topped with, stuffed with or dipped in salted caramel, there are other ways to explore the salty-sweet magic. Kosher salt is the standard in most kitchens and will do the trick in many of these salted desserts, but you may want to try out some other varieties, too. Flaky fleur de sel brings a clean, salty flavor and a wonderful crunch to every bite. Smoked sea salt brings the campfire indoors; remember that a little bit goes a long way. Himalayan pink salt has a gentle flavor and looks beautiful to boot.
Photography by Jackie Alpers
Salt on Fruit
In the same way that prosciutto-wrapped melon is an addictively sweet-and-savory combination, sprinkling some salt on fruit (think grapefruit, cantaloupe, watermelon and more) brings out the natural sweetness and gives you even more of a reason to snack on fresh fruit.
Pretzel Crust on Strawberry Pie
A salty, crunchy pretzel crust is the perfect complement for ultrasweet strawberry pie, but don't stop there; you can also use the same type of pretzel crust for other desserts, such as lemon bars and cheesecake.
Smoked Salt on Milk Chocolate
It's what the classic candy bar has been missing. Sprinkle a tiny bit of smoked salt on super-sweet milk chocolate to create a whole other universe of smoky, sweet and slightly salty flavor. Once you try it, you'll never go back to eating chocolate straight out of the wrapper.
Salt on Ice Cream
Turn ice cream savory-sweet at home with toppings like crushed potato chips or pretzels. Some flaky fleur de sel will also do the trick nicely.
Salted Cookies
Almost all cookie recipes call for salt, but add a little extra to your next batch for a surprise delight. Try it out with oatmeal or double chocolate chip cookies first and you'll never want bake cookies without it.
Buckeye Candies with Salt
Sprinkle some Himalayan pink salt over the top of these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bites to take them to the next level.
Salt on Chocolate Pudding
It might sound crazy at first, but serve chocolate pudding with a drizzle of grassy olive oil and some flaky sea salt for the ultimate dessert that hits earthy, sweet and savory notes all at once.
Salted Peanut Brittle
With the addition of some coarsely ground salt, peanut brittle takes on a more grown-up flavor that gives you an excuse to eat it at any age.
Crushed-Pretzel Coffee Cake
Replace some of the flour in the crumbly topping with ground pretzels for a coffee cake that will renew your faith in brunch.
