Sweet Melissas Hot Fudge Food

CLASSIC HOT FUDGE

Steps:

• Combine the chocolate, heavy cream, butter, corn syrup, brown sugar, cocoa powder and salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the chocolate is melted and smooth, about 5 minutes. (Do not simmer or the chocolate may scorch and taste bitter; reduce the heat if needed.)
• Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Let cool slightly. Refrigerate up to 1 week; reheat in a small saucepan over low heat or microwave in 30-second intervals, thinning with more heavy cream if needed.
• Use milk chocolate instead of semisweet along with 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter; increase the heavy cream to 1 cup and the brown sugar to 1/4 cup. Stir in 1/2 cup chopped salted roasted peanuts at the end.
• Use half semisweet and half milk chocolate along with 2/3 cup butterscotch chips; increase the butter to 6 tablespoons.
• Add 1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam with the chocolate. Replace the butter with coconut oil and omit the corn syrup and brown sugar. Use coconut extract instead of vanilla.
• Add 1/3 cup cherry jam with the chocolate. Omit the corn syrup and brown sugar. Use 1/2 teaspoon almond extract instead of vanilla.
• Add 1/3 cup orange marmalade and 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder with the chocolate. Omit the corn syrup and brown sugar. Add 1/4 teaspoon orange extract with the vanilla.
• Use milk chocolate instead of semisweet along with 1/3 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread and 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder. Omit the corn syrup, brown sugar and vanilla. Stir in 2 tablespoons hazelnut liqueur at the end.

HOT FUDGE

Steps:

• In a 4-quart saucepan over moderate heat, bring the cream, corn syrup, sugar, salt and chocolate to a boil, stirring constantly. Simmer until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter. Serve while still warm.
• What Makes This Recipe Sing: The versatility of this sauce makes it the WOW hostess gift. Try with grilled fruit, over sponge cakes or even as a "no need for the fondue pot" chocolate dunk for fresh fruits, cookies and pound cakes. This sauce is a classic and of course perfect for your favorite ice cream... My choice is peppermint ice cream. Also, it makes for easily made s'mores and if all else fails, just use a good old-fashioned spoon!
• BYOC: Try adding a swirl, by heating peanut butter and swirling in the fudge. Add your favorite toasted nuts, a drop of peppermint or orange oil, or even your favorite cereal for a crunchy fudge sauce.

CLASSIC HOT FUDGE SUNDAE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the cream, sugar, corn syrup or honey, cocoa, and salt to a simmer, whisking until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the chocolate and let cook until the chocolate melts. Stir in butter and vanilla or liquor. Let cool slightly. Contrary to its name, hot fudge is best served warm, not piping hot.
• For assembly, make the whipped cream. Using a whisk or an electric mixer, beat the cream, sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
• Pour a little fudge sauce into the bottoms of sundae dishes or bowls. Top with ice cream, then more hot fudge, then nuts if using. Cover all with whipped cream and a cherry if you like. Serve.

HOT FUDGE SAUCE

Steps:

• In medium saucepan, combine cream, butter, sugars and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Simmer 45 seconds. Add chocolate, and whisk to dissolve. Remove from heat, add cocoa, and whisk until no lumps remain.
• Return pan to low heat, and simmer sauce until glossy, whisking constantly, 20 seconds. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla. Serve warm. To reheat sauce, warm in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Do not boil.