I think I’m in denial that the summer is almost over. Or at least maybe it’s done in my world because I’m already being forced to think about Halloween recipes and yesterday we shot something that was supposed to be holiday-esque. IN AUGUST! I think that’s pretty normal in the magazine world but the blog world moves closer to real time. Or at least that’s how I work.

I know there are bloggers who shoot months in advance and I’ve never been that way. I’m maybe two weeks ahead…sometimes?

I shot this recipe a few weeks ago when I was in need of a cool dessert. The heat in Los Angeles really intensifies in August and September and it’s just brutal.

Fudge sauce is one of those toppings that I think daunts most people but it is really very easy to make! It’s one-mini-saucepan fudge sauce.

I LOVE the brown rice syrup in this sauce because it makes it a bit chewy and gives it a lovely texture. The salt is also necessary because when have you ever had anything chocolate-y and it not taste even better with a dash of salt? Never. Ever.

I also like making homemade fudge because it makes any store-bought ice cream a bit more special. I love nothing more than store-bought ice cream and while, yes, I’ll occasionally make it, I’m often times lazy and the texture in store-bought is just as good.

Fudge Sauce

Homemade fudge sauce ready to be drizzled over a cool scoop of ice cream. Bonus: it takes less than 5 minutes to make! (Recipe Credit: Adrianna Adarme of Fresh Tastes)

Ingredients

• 2/3 cups heavy cream
• 1/3 cup brown rice syrup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 7 ounces dark chocolate chips 
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine everything except the butter and vanilla. Bring to a simmer. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring every now and then, until melted and smooth. 
2. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Cool for 5 minutes and then pour over ice cream!

Yield: Makes 2 cups

Adrianna Adarme is a food blogger and author living in Los Angeles, California. She writes the blog A Cozy Kitchen, where she shares comforting, everyday recipes from her kitchen. She recently authored her first cookbook, PANCAKES: 72 Sweet and Savory Recipes for the Perfect Stack. She’s a lover of breakfast, pie (and sometimes even pie for breakfast), corgis and cute things. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.