Hot Fudge Sauce

The semester is winding down, and all I can think about is what goodies I'm going to make for Christmas and what gifts I still need to buy.  With four tests coming up next week, I need to shake that as soon as possible.  I'm taking tonight to catch up on some TV shows and [hopefully] relax my brain enough that I'll be able to hunker down with studying tomorrow.  A night of TV shows means I need some ice cream to go with it, and ice cream isn't complete with a good sauce, preferably chocolate.  In comes this rich hot fudge sauce.

For all the chocolate lovers out there on your Christmas list, this would be lovely for homemade Christmas gifts, too!  Add a cute label, some ribbon, and you've got yourself a delicious gift.

This is perfect with ice cream, of course, but I'd imagine it'd be great to dip cookies in, drizzle over cake, or some fresh strawberries.  Yum.  It's such a cinch to make, too!

Hot Fudge Sauce

adapted from The Sophisticated Gourmet

makes ≈ 1 cup

3.5 oz. good quality dark chocolate, chopped

2 T cocoa

1/3 cup agave nectar (or light corn syrup)

1/3 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup confectioner's sugar

1 t vanilla

1/8 t sea salt

Melt the chocolate and cocoa powder together over a simmering pot of hot water (or double boiler), making sure not to get any water in the chocolate.  Once melted, remove from the heat, and stir in the agave, cream, sugar, vanilla, and salt.

Store in an airtight container; keep in the refrigerator.