Espresso Spiced Hot Fudge Sauce

• 2/3 cup strong coffee or espresso, brewed
• 2 and 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons whole Tellicherry black peppercorns (Szechuan, if you want a stronger pepper)
• 2 teaspoons whole star anise
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 1 cinnamon stick, broken into a few pieces
• 8 ounces good quality semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (I used Callebaut),
• 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter, cut in pieces

1. Grind the peppercorns, star anise, cloves, coriander seeds, and cinnamon stick pieces to a fine powder in a spice grinder. Measure 2 teaspoons and set aside. The remaining spice blend can be put in a covered jar and saved for a future use.
2. In a small saucepan combine the espresso or coffee with the sugar and 2 teaspoons of the spice blend. Heat on low until sugar and spices are dissolved, and mixture is hot. If there are bits of spices that are not dissolved you can strain the mixture before adding the chocolate.
3. Add the chocolate, and whisk until smooth and completely melted.
4. Remove from the heat and add the pieces of butter, whisking until thoroughly blended.
5. Serve warm over vanilla or coffee ice cream.

coffee, sugar, tellicherry black, star anise, whole cloves, coriander seeds, cinnamon, semisweet chocolate, unsalted butter

Taken from food52.com/recipes/16064-espresso-spiced-hot-fudge-sauce (may not work)