Leah's (I'm kinda loving it right now) Cookies and Malted Cream Ice Cream and Classic Hot Fudge

Man your stations and baton down the hatches(I can combine those right?) because we have officially entered birthday season. That's right, every year, in March and April, tons of babies are brought into this world in order to attain the prestige that comes with being born during the coveted birthday months of April and March. Which, for thier friends, means strategic planning of parties, purchasing of affordable gifts and a strict limit to how many pieces of cake they can consume in one day.


Yes, these months are a joyous time filled with parties, friends and the celebration of another year of life, but even the best things in life can kill you, like drinking to much water or eating pop-rocks with coke. So friends of March/April babies be wary, we are entering into survival mode here, and if you're lucky (and you will be if you follow my simple instructions) you just might survive and have a fantastic two months filled with birthday celebrations.


Rules of Survival


1. Make homemade cards. They are more thoughtful and they don't cost 3.50 a pop. Which times 7 birthdays equals $24!


2. Take it one birthday party at a time to prevent burn out. Each birthday party can be extremely fun and special if you live the party in the moment.


3. Limit yourself to one piece of cake at each party. If you don't, you could end up eating an entire cake yourself in the course of a couple weeks.


4. Make homemade gifts that reflect some quality or unique-like your friend has. 

For example, for my good friend Leah I made her favorite ice cream, with a twist, and named it after one of her signature catch phrases, "I'm kinda loving it right now." It's a flavor I have never made before and will never make again, unless Leah requests it. She owns the rights to the flavor: Cookies and Malted Cream, and the name: Leah's (I'm kinda loving it right now) Cookies and Malted Cream.

See, a special gift for a special friend. Which is why I am not divulging the recipe.


In addition to the ice cream, I made some homemade fudge, not pictured here, to complete the gift. It also bears a name that reflects a unique quality about Leah, but it is a little to inside to share here. I can tell you though that the recipe comes from David Lebovitz' Perfect Scoop, which is THE ice cream book to have, and I will even give you the recipe at the end of my post.


You have your instructions, now go execute them, party and be merry.


Classic Hot Fudge
*adapted from David Lebovitz Perfect Scoop


INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 light corn syrup
• 6 ounces of chopped bittersweet chocolate
• 1 tablespoon slated butter
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1.5 tbsp sugar (optional, I wanted it a tiny bit sweeter)

Directions

1. Mix the first 4 ingredients together in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and  boil for 30 sec. while stirring constantly. 

2. Remove the mixture from the heat and add the butter, chocolate and vanilla. Stir to combine, taste and add the sugar if you want it a little sweeter.

3. Store in the fridge in a airtight container. To serve, reheat in the micro.