Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), coarsely chopped
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 or 3 scoops vanilla or coffee ice cream

Instructions

1. Cook sugar in a very small dry heavy saucepan or skillet over moderately high heat, undisturbed, until sugar begins to melt, about 2 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until sugar is melted into a deep golden caramel, 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Remove caramel from heat and carefully pour in cream (mixture will steam and bubble vigorously). Once bubbles begin to subside, add chocolate and stir until sauce is smooth. Stir in vanilla and pour sauce over ice cream.