Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Ingredients

　　1/2 cup sugar

　　3/4 cup heavy cream

　　3 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped fine

　　1/8 teaspoon salt

　　1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

　　In a dry heavy saucepan cook the sugar over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt, cook it, swirling the pan, until it is a deep golden caramel. Remove the pan from the heat, add the cream (the mixture, will bubble up, and simmer the mixture, stirring, until the caramel is dissolved. Add the chocolate and the salt and cook the sauce over low heat, whisking, until the chocolate is melted and the sauce is smooth. Whisk in the vanilla and serve the sauce warm or room temperature over ice cream.