Happy Hour Hot Fudge Milkshake

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.

Sponsored by Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate. Create your escape here.