Hot Fudge Sauce

To go with my last post on homemade vanilla ice cream...

It's hard to beat an ice cream sundae on a hot, summer day. If you love to indulge in ice cream smothered in chocolate, nuts, whipped cream, coconut, fruit or candy, this hot fudge sauce will make your sundae even more delicious and satisfy your chocolate craving. I recommend using vanilla, chocolate, or coffee ice cream with this sauce only because they are my favorite ice cream flavors!

HOT FUDGE SAUCE

Mix 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons of cocoa, 2 tablespoons of butter, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and cook over medium heat in a heavy pan until thick. Stir constantly (it will stick). When cool, store in a jar in a cool place. To reheat, place jar in hot water until it is heated. If you want it thicker, add just a bit more cornstarch. 

Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

To celebrate the upcoming warm weather, I am anxious to make homemade vanilla ice cream so that I can put together ice cream sandwiches. Homemade vanilla ice cream is much better than store bought and it is quite fun to make. This would be a great recipe to make with a child because it is fun to shake the bag or turn the handle. If you are using an ice cream machine, it is even fun to watch the creamy mixture transform into a solid mass. Feel free to add fruit, chocolate chips, or nuts to this vanilla base once it has turned solid but not frozen.

VANILLA ICE CREAM

Mix 1 quart light cream, 1-1/2 tablespoons of vanilla, and 3/4 cup of sugar. First put the cream mixture into the freezer can, set the can in the freezer, adjust the top, and fill in around the can with ice and rock salt in layers. Use 3 parts of ice to 1 part of rock salt. Then turn the handle of the crank, slowly at first, then faster as it begins to freeze. This makes for a smoother ice cream. When you feel that it is becoming harder to turn, you can open it up and see if it is done. You can eat it at this point for a soft-serve ice cream or freeze it until it is solid for a harder ice cream.

ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Place frozen ice cream between two pieces of devil's food cake or any two cookies to create a sandwich. Make your own paper covering or eat immediately. Enjoy!