Easy Recipe: Creamy Candy Bar Sauce — Recipes from The Kitchn |Cooking With Amanda

Need an ice cream topping that is both easy and mind-blowingly good? Have some spare candy on hand? This creamy ganache, made using an assorted bag of fun-sized chocolate bars, is guaranteed to be your new favorite junk food splurge. But watch out, it's addictive!

I was obsessed with candy bars as a teenager, even more so after I gained control of my lunch money and succumbed to the powers of my high school's vending machine. I was a scrawny kid, so nobody seemed to be alarmed by the quantities of Twix bars I consumed in one day. (I still feel ashamed!) Unfortunately my love for sugar has not waned, but at least I've learned to better control my cavity-inducing cravings.

I don't buy candy bars any more. The few times I have all ended in mild disappointment: they are just never as good as I remember. (Snickers ice cream bars being the exception. They are stupidly tasty.) Come fall, however, I still get a brief feeling of excitement when Halloween candy begins to appear at the market. Thankfully one bag purchased early is usually more than enough to fulfill my need for childhood nostalgia.

I was shopping the other day, shaking my head at the sight of all the trick-or-treat decor already out, when I remembered a recipe I had seen for a Milky Way bar sauce for ice cream. Although they were never one of my favorites, I was intrigued by the idea of melting them into a creamy ganache. (I know, sounds good, right?!) As I stood in the aisle, I wondered if it could be made with any type of candy bar? I took a chance and tossed a grab bag of fun-sized bars into the cart.

As I tore open the tiny wrappers, I took the opportunity to sample the goods. (Job perk!) It was confirmed yet again: I no longer enjoyed the overly-saccharine sweets. Yet I had hope for this recipe, and one finger dip into the pot was all I needed to sway me to the dark side. This rich glaze was far greater than the sum of its parts. Once melted, the ganache became chocolate-y, caramel-y, and nougat-y all in one. It was quite literally the best parts of an ice cream sundae all in one dreamy sauce.

I have to warn you though, it is quite addictive. Despite my greatest efforts to enjoy in moderation, I kept finding myself alone with just the pot and a spoon. I couldn't say no! Call it pedestrian, or call it what you will. I'm going to call it my new favorite ice cream topping.

Creamy Candy Bar Sauce

Adapted from Apples for Jam by Tessa Kiros
Yields about 1 cup

12 fun-sized candy bars, like Milky Way, Snickers, and/or Three Musketeers
1/2 cup heavy cream

Tear the candy bars into pieces and place in a small saucepan along with the heavy cream. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is melted and the sauce is creamy, about 5 minutes. Serve warm over ice cream (or enjoy plain with a spoon.)

Leftovers can be covered and stored in the refrigerator, and reheated on medium low.