Our usual family barbecue grew by leaps and bounds this year until we ended up with a guest list of seventeen wonderful friends and family getting together for a casual Memorial Day lunch. The last twenty-four hours have been a whirlwind of cleaning, cooking, and decorating. I pulled out all my WWII memorabilia for a quick and easy theme along with a CD of period music and old wartime Disney cartoons for the kids to watch during the meal.
Target provided the great picnic utensils and food baskets.
My husband barbecued hot dogs and bratwurst, and everyone contributed side dishes.
The dessert table was by far the biggest hit of the day, featuring a make-your-own-brownie-sundae bar. My mom made her famous homemade chocolate sauce, and because I love you all, I'm sharing the recipe here with you. It's a snap to make and tastes absolutely divine.
Easy Chocolate Fudge Sauce
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 can of evaporated milk (12 ounces)
1/2 cup butter, cut in pieces
1 teaspoon vanilla
Combine the sugar and cocoa in a saucepan. Use a whisk to stir in the milk and add the butter. Bring to boil over medium heat. The longer you cook it, the thicker it will be -- just be sure to keep stirring so it doesn't burn! Reduce the heat. Cook and stir for one more minute until the mixture is slightly thick. Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla, cool slightly, and serve. To reheat, just place the saucepan back on the stove and return the mixture to a boil again, stirring until smooth.
Happy Memorial Day to all of you!
Looks like a fun day and a great recipe!
ReplyDeleteYou really went all out! I love the girls lined up at the fireplace. I am sure that lots of fun was had by all.
ReplyDeleteooh! I think the dessert table is my fav too! ;-) Thanks for the recipe - looks similar to my sister-in-law's which we really enjoy too!
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me of what it was like to grow up in a small town. Gosh I miss those days.
ReplyDeleteOh that chocolate sauce sounds yummy! It looks like a great time was had by all. :-)
ReplyDeleteSweet! I'll have to try that recipe sometime. Looks like y'all had a fun day!
ReplyDeleteMmm. Making your fudge sauce in an hour -- how long do you usually boil for at medium, before you reduce heat and boil for one more minute? I assume vanilla goes in at the very end? Thanks! I'm looking forward to it!
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