My very first job was in an ice cream shop. That means between the ages of fifteen and seventeen I smelled like a waffle cone and had between three and seven sprinkles scattered throughout my hair at any given moment. Summers were long and hot, but if you made nice with the boys that worked in the pizza place next door you either had a make-out partner for the deep freezer, or someone to trade you obscene amounts of pizza for obscene amounts of ice cream. I opted for the later exchange… mostly because I was awkward and didn’t really have a choice.
Everyday on my ice cream lunch break I would make myself a giant milkshake and head outside the ice cream shop to sit on a sunny stoop. These were the days before cellphones (… I know, BONKERS), so I’d watch people mill about and think about what the future held for me. I’d daydream about being a writer, or being a backup dancer for Mariah Carey, or devise ways to find Jared Leto and make him fall in love with me.
The milkshake was my super indulgent escape.
The backup dancing didn’t pan out, and I couldn’t find Jared Leto… but all’s well that ends well.
I sure do know how to plan an afternoon escape. Nowadays we call it Happy Hour.
This Happy Hour Hot Fudge Milkshake is steeped in a rich tradition of indulgence. What does that mean? It means that I’ve paired my deep love of milkshake with my fondness of rich dark chocolate… I’m talking about the fancy stuff. Throw in a shot of bourbon and this Happy Hour escape is just beyond.
Ah! If I could only tell my fifteen year old self what I know now…
The highlight of this milkshake is the deep dark hot fudge sauce. I used an 86% Intense Dark Chocolate from Ghirardelli. The darkly sweet chocolate flavor pairs perfectly with the sweet and creamy ice cream.
Also, what’s a milkshake without sprinkles? Tragic.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Any flavor ice cream that makes you swoon. I went with French Vanilla.
Whole milk. Treat yourself.
Pure vanilla extract and a swig of bourbon (if you’re into that sort of thing).
Dark Chocolate Hot Fudge Sauce. Don’t worry, we’ll make enough so your roommate (or husband or brother or girlfriend or wife) can have a sundae when they get home.
Sprinkles and chocolate shavings. Because you’re worth it, every bit.
Combine all the creamy, boozy, and vanilla elements and blend (in a milkshake machine or blender) until smooth and irresistably thick. Keep the fudge sauce on stand-by.
Part of me wishes that milkshakes were made in martini shakers… that’s the part of me that wanted to be a bartender instead of a baker.
I’m such a sucker for a frosted tin.
A milkshake without whipped cream is like a cat without a head.
Not an appropriate comparison… but seriously, no one wants a headless cat.
It’s like this cherry is saying, ‘This way to a dang good time!’.
Dark chocolate hot fudge is generously poured in a glass. Thick milkshake fills the glass. Whipped cream is dolloped. Sprinkles and chocolate shavings rain down. Cherry to top. Straw and… just like that… my milkshake escape.
Gosh that’s good.
Happy Hour Hot Fudge Milkshake
fudge recipe adapted from The Gourmet Cookbook
For the Fudge:
1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 ounces good dark chocolate (not unsweetened), finely chopped (I used Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate)
2 Tablespoon unsalted butter, cup into small cubes
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Milkshake:
2 cups vanilla ice cream
1 cup whole milk
1 ounce bourbon (optional)
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
For the Whipped Cream:
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
To Make the Fudge:
Stir together cocoa powder, brown sugar, corn syrup, cream, salt and half of the chopped chocolate in a 2-quart heavy saucepan and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until chocolate is melted. Cook mixture at a low boil, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
Remove pan from heat, add remaining chocolate, butter and vanilla and stir until smooth. Cool slightly before serving.
Cooled sauce can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Reheat over how heat, stirring.
To Make the Whipped Cream:
In a medium bowl whisk together heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Whisk by hand (because you have muscles) until soft peaks form. Allow to chill in the refrigerator while you blend the milkshake.
To Make the Milkshake:
In a blender (or milkshake machine) combine ice cream, milk, bourbon, and vanilla. Blend until thick and creamy. Add more ice cream to thicken to desired consistency or more milk to thin to desired consistency.
To Assemble the Milkshake:
Pour a few tablespoons of warm fudge into a tall glass. Top with milkshake. Dollop on whipped cream. Sprinkle with jimmies and chocolate. Cherry to top and serve immediately.
Sponsored by Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate. Create your escape here.
Quinn Cooper
This video is just awesome. The editing is really good, along with the music and the sounds of each ingredient. I’m kind of obsessed with it. So cool. Can’t wait to see more where that came from!
And of course the milkshake looks to die for. Reminds me of childhood.
xo Quinn
Quinn Cooper Style
Lauren at Keep It Sweet
This sounds like the perfect treat for a work break or really for any time. Such gorgeous photos, Joy!
this is lemonade
Oh the pre-cellphone days. Even though mine were not mostly that hot and sunny, they were hotter and sunnier than this wintry spring we’re having right now! This conjures up a summer I can only dream of right now, but it sure is an indulgent one. I didn’t really grow up on milkshake, but this is one I definitely want to try making. Pinning it in case we do have a summer this year…and if we don’t by August, I’m going to turn up the heating and pretend like we do ;)
Shushmi
I was Jared Leto obsessed at that age too – was it the grungy hair and checked shirts? This post made me laugh so much and wonder whether pre-cell phone life was just a lot easier?
The pics of the icecream look AMAZING! cant wait to try it :)
Vickie
wow! that looks good – love the dark chocolate fudge :)
mariah
It’s 6:52 am. Can I have this for breakfast?
Josephine Kalm
I absolutely LOVE the video!
Preston
OF COURSE there’s bourbon in it. Oh my Lent, just YES.
joythebaker
i know… i know.
robyn
Dark choc is really not my thing,but this looks amazing.
barbacaos
I simply love your stories (I guess I am not the first person that tells you this but it is always good to hear, right? :))
Ellen
Whoa. just, whoa. I thought maybe this would be resistable and then you went and opened the Maker’s…
Sophie
oohh this looks like the perfect way to cure my deadline blues … would a milkshake before 11 am be inappropriate?
Meaghan Kelly
Wow. This looks amazing. I love that bourbon features highly in so many of your recipes. Oh, and I love that you featured toast! (too?) often bourbon and toast (but not together, as yet) are the highlight of my day. Thanks for validating my food choices!
:D
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I could not even make this up but for the first time in my life, today, I made hot fudge sauce using the Gourmet/Epicurious recipe. I am taking pictures of it in the morning! I swear I want to devour it right now…and seeing your gorgeous milkshake with the same sauce even makes me want it more! Beautiful, Joy!
jessica
this just made me want to drink a milkshake for breakfast… i love the video!