My god. I’m a bit immodest about it, but it really is that good. Here’s what I did:
[ul]
[li]Sloooooowly melt, then carefully caramelize one cup of plain, dry sugar over medium-high heat.[/li][li]Wait until the color of the whole mess is a deep, rich amber.[/li][li]When the first, tiny wisp of smoke is evident, remove the pan immediately from the heat. Tempt fate on this one, and you’re likely to end up with a pan full of charcoal. [/li][li]Lower heat to medium or medium low.[/li][li]Slowly trickle one cup of heavy cream into the caramelized sugar. Stir constantly.[/li][li]Some sugar will harden on contact with the liquid. No worries.[/li][li]Place mixture back on lowered heat. Add 1 teaspoon (real) vanilla extract, and one tablespoon of plain cocoa. Use the good stuff, cheapskate. :)[/li][li]Stir constantly until the mixture heats back up and the sugar dissolves completely. During this time, the chocolate will dissolve (become suspended? enter a colloidal state?), and the mixture will turn rich, dark brown.[/li][li]While still hot, strain through a fine sieve to remove any large cocoa chunks that may be left.[/li][/ul]
I served it over vanilla bean ice cream while still warm, and my normally rather reserved girlfriend licked her bowl clean.
Aw yeah.