Today is National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day. And I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a recipe for some gooey fudge sauce for holiday gift-giving.
After all, who doesn’t love a hot fudge sundae? Thing is, this recipe is so good you’ll skip the ice cream and eat the sauce straight from the jar.
It’s that good and just as simple.
Give it as a gift in a pretty jar, and you’ll have the recipient eating out of your hand. Figuratively, because literally they’ll be eating out of the jar with you, and you won’t have to worry about being the only one whose clothes are a little snug come New Year’s.
When my mother made this I would sneak into the fridge when she wasn’t looking and scoop out a teaspoonful. Then one spoonful led to another and…well, you get the idea.
My mom was well-known for her cookies, cakes, pies and other goodies. I didn’t inherit her talent in the kitchen, but even I can make this sauce. Which is to say it’s super-easy and always turns out beautifully. It will spoil you for any other.
What-for and how-to
You’ll need:
- 3 whole squares of unsweetened baking chocolate
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Melt the chocolate in a saucepan over low heat and stir in butter. Once butter is incorporated, stir in sugar and milk. Use your tool of choice—spatula, whisk or wooden spoon all work.
Continue stirring over medium heat until the mixture boils. Add vanilla, and stir until mixture thickens.
Pour into a heat-resistant container and allow to cool about 10 minutes before transferring to gift containers. Refrigerate jars until ready to decorate.
The recipe will make about 8 to 12 ounces, and here a few types of jars that will work, depending on what size you want your gift to be:
There are as many ways to decorate the jar
as there are to enjoy chocolate.
Cut a circle or square from some festive holiday fabric with pinking shears for a pretty edge, and tie it around the lid like fancy preserves. My favorites are the scandi and the ikat!
Or skip the fabric and just make nice with a cute tag or label and some baker’s twine. As always, if you don’t see what you want in the Amazon ad, use the search box to explore.
Don’t forget to include a spoon for sampling! (For the recipient, of course. The polite way to go would be to bring a separate jar and spoon for yourself.)
How to kick it up another notch
Tie on a small ornament or a candy cane for dipping (mint + chocolate = legendary). Or crumble some candy cane just under the lid for a festive surprise.
More “crumble” ideas:
- Candied orange peel
- Candied ginger
- Chopped nuts
- Sprinkles!
- Bacon?
Any size candy cane will work, or kill two birds with one stone and use a candy cane spoon!
Or maybe add a fun ice cream bowl or bowl set.
Just don’t forget to check your list twice…
