I should preface this by saying I’d never been much of a root beer fan — until one Wednesday changed everything.
While wandering through Target, I spotted a six-pack of bottled root beer. Maybe it was the charm of drinking from a bottle, or maybe it was my usual inability to leave Target empty-handed, but I happily grabbed the pack and started down the aisle. Then the handle broke — and suddenly I was standing in a small puddle of root beer and considering dessert options.
I couldn’t leave without ice cream. The intact bottles that remained in my cart were begging to become floats. After I got home, the chocolate craving took over: bake a batch of something or make homemade hot fudge? Hot fudge won — it’s quick, rich and infinitely better than eating handfuls of chocolate chips.
Hot fudge makes these floats feel a little decadent — perfect for a cozy Valentine’s Day treat, or any time you want something comforting. I spooned ice cream into glasses, added warm hot fudge, poured in root beer, and promptly felt like I had gone to dessert heaven.
Not only did the combination convert me — I’m now kind of obsessed with root beer floats — but the mix of creamy ice cream, frothy root beer and warm fudge is genuinely irresistible.
If you want to make this more grown-up for Valentine’s Day, you can add a splash of something boozy to the root beer — a little secret for adults only.
To anyone who’s never liked root beer: you have to try this. I couldn’t wait for Valentine’s Day — I accidentally ate mine for lunch. One spoonful turned into many more. Carbonation usually bothers my throat and ears, but wrapped in ice cream and hot fudge, it’s pure bliss. The hot fudge, in particular, is the finishing touch.
Root Beer Floats
Serves 2
2 cups vanilla ice cream
2 bottles root beer
Scoop equal amounts of ice cream into two glasses. Spoon a little warm hot fudge over each scoop, then pour in root beer. Drizzle additional hot fudge on top if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Homemade Hot Fudge
1 cup sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons flour
Pinch of salt
1 cup boiling water or scalding milk
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Combine the sugar, cocoa, flour and salt in a heatproof bowl or pot set over a double boiler. Bring the water or milk to a boil. Gradually whisk the hot liquid into the dry mixture, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla. Serve warm for a thinner sauce, or let cool at room temperature for about an hour to thicken. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Yeah — Wednesday turned out to be one of the best days ever.