Delicious sauce to have on hand for drizzling on your favorite desserts!

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, (chopped)

1 1/2 cups granulated white sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, (cut into 1-tablespoon pieces)

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler (or a heat-proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water); add the sugar, butter and cocoa. Simmer 45 minutes, stirring often. Add the cream and cook 10 minutes longer, stirring constantly, and then slowly stir in the vanilla. NOTE: the mixture will look really grainy just before the heavy cream is added. It comes together as soon as the heavy cream is stirred in.
Remove from heat and let cool. This can be kept in the refrigerator for several weeks.