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With holiday parties coming up, here’s a neat idea for either bringing along to share, or giving as a hostess gift. It is delightfully easy to make, and it is decadently delicious.

If you don’t like alcoholic drinks, you can always leave out the booze and just have a really yummy chocolate sauce. This is great straight, over ice, or over ice cream:
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Chocolate & Whiskey Liqueur

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1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1 vanilla bean, split, seeds scraped
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
One 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup half-and-half
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup Irish whiskey (or vodka, for a more neutral flavor)

In a saucepan, combine the corn syrup, water and vanilla seeds; bring to a boil.
Add the chocolate and whisk over moderate heat until melted.
Transfer to a blender and let cool for 5 minutes.
Add the condensed milk, half-and-half, and cream and blend.
Pour the mixture into a bowl and stir in the whiskey.
Blend the mixture in batches for 30 seconds.
Pour into bottles and refrigerate overnight.

Makes about 1 quart.

If you would like to give this as a gift, pour the liqueur into a simple long-necked glass bottle with a cork or plug. It will keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

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