Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (2024)

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This homemade hot fudge sauce recipe couldn’t be easier or more delicious. It’s sure to be your favorite ice cream topping all summer long.

Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (1)

Table of Contents

  • HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE HOT FUDGE SAUCE
  • WAYS TO USE THIS HOT FUDGE SAUCE RECIPE
  • STORAGE
  • Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe

When I was a kid, we briefly lived with my great grandmother, Lottie. She was a magnificent woman and an incredible cook. I was quite young – about 5 or so, but I have some pretty vivid memories of the time we spent in her home.

I remember sitting at her dining room table and coloring for hours with the crayons she kept in an old coffee can, and an old fashioned rotary phone that sat on her perfectly organized desk.

Her home was immaculate and I remember giggling every time she told me to keep my feet off of her davenport.

She had a drawer devoted to her beloved baking tools, and even went so far as to purchase a set of miniature tools just for me. She’d neatly pull my hair back and keep it out of my face with a babushka, and then put a ball of dough in front of me.

We’d sit at the kitchen table for hours, rolling dough and cutting perfect circles with the top of a glass. Then we’d fill, fold, and crimp each of the dough circles to create the most amazing pierogies.

On summer evenings, we’d all load up into the car and head to the ice cream parlor.

I was always a caramel sundae kind of girl, but I remember snagging bites of my dad’s Tin Roof Sundaes that were slathered in the most incredible hot fudge sauce. And even though I’ve never been much of a hot fudge kind of girl myself, Elle can’t get enough of all things chocolate.

And during the summers she is all about ice cream, especially when it’s topped with a bit of chocolate sauce, Reddi Wip, sprinkles, and – of course– a cherry.

Whether you’re out of the jarred stuff or just craving a rich, chocolatey, homemade treat for your favorite ice cream, this homemade hot fudge sauce should definitely be on your summer bucket list!

Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (2)

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE HOT FUDGE SAUCE

If you read my post on how to make caramel sauce, making your own hot fudge sauce is even easier!

Ingredients you’ll need

To make this recipe, you’ll want to grab:

  • 2/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 ounces quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

If you bake a lot, you may already have a lot of these ingredients on hand. The one ingredient you may not have readily available is Dutch-process cocoa, so let’s talk about that one.

Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (3)

What is Dutch-process cocoa powder?

There are two main kinds of cocoa powder: natural cocoa and Dutch-process cocoa.

Dutch-process cocoa has been treated to reduce the acidity of the cocoa powder, which gives it a darker color and less bitter flavor than natural cocoa.

Using Dutch-process cocoa in this recipe will help give it that deep, rich color and help avoid any bitter flavor. It will be pure, sweet, chocolate goodness!

Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (4)

Making this recipe

If you can whisk things together and bring things to a boil, you can make this hot fudge sauce recipe! I promise.

I like to use a heavy saucepan for this recipe. It will help the sauce heat evenly and keep it from burning.

Add the cream, corn syrup, brown sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and half of the chopped chocolate to the pan. Bring all of this to a boil, whisking it until the chocolate is completely melted.

Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (5)

Reduce the heat to medium-low and keep the mixture at a low boil for about 5 minutes, stirring it occasionally.

After 5 minutes, remove the sauce from the heat and whisk in the butter, vanilla, and the rest of the chocolate until it is nice and smooth. The sauce will thicken slightly and have a beautiful finish to it.

Let the fudge sauce cool a bit and it’s ready to serve!

Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (6)

WAYS TO USE THIS HOT FUDGE SAUCE RECIPE

There are endless ways to use your homemade hot fudge sauce. You may just find yourself making a new batch of it every week!

Of course it is perfect for drizzling over no-churn ice cream, but don’t stop there! Set up an ice cream sundae bar with this fudge sauce, some strawberry sauce, caramel, sprinkles and homemade whipped cream.

Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (7)

It’s pretty much a direct pass to becoming the coolest parent ever.

But no need to stop with ice cream! Try it for breakfast on top of Bisquick waffles or over a stack of Boston cream pie pancakes for a truly decadent breakfast treat.

I also love it over a slice of vanilla cheesecake or cheesecake bars.

When it comes to this sauce, you’re really only limited by your imagination!

Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (8)

STORAGE

Because of the dairy in this recipe, it needs to be stored in the refrigerator.

Let the sauce cool completely and store leftovers in an airtight container, such as a glass jar, in the fridge for up to one week.

The sauce becomes quite thick after it has been chilled, so you will likely want to reheat it slightly. I recommend doing so in the microwave; microwave it on low in 15-second increments, stirring until it is your desired consistency.

Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (9)

Hot Fudge Sauce

By: Jamie Lothridge

4.50 from 6 votes

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 10 minutes mins

Servings: 16

Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (10)

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This homemade hot fudge sauce recipe couldn’t be easier or more delicious. It’s sure to be your favorite ice cream topping all summer long.

Ingredients

  • cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup light corn syrup
  • cup packed dark brown sugar
  • ¼ cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 6 ounces quality bittersweet chocolate not unsweetened, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • In a medium, heavy saucepan over medium heat, combine cream, corn syrup, brown sugar, cocoa, salt, and half of the chocolate. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the chocolate pieces are completely melted.

  • Reduce heat and cook at a low boil, stirring occasionally, for about five minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add in butter, vanilla, and remaining chocolate, stirring until smooth.

  • Allow the sauce to cool down before serving.

Video

Notes

  • Makes about 2 cups.
  • This recipe can be easily adapted to create new flavors. I added in 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract which yielded a subtle, smooth, minty flavor.
  • To store, cool sauce completely and chill in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • Recipe from Gourmet, February 2004 via Epicurious

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons, Calories: 181kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 46mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 12g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

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Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is hot fudge sauce made of? ›

Hot Fudge Recipe

In a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the cream, syrup, brown sugar, cocoa powder, salt and half of the chocolate to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low or low (enough to maintain a low simmer), and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

What are the ingredients in Smuckers hot fudge sauce? ›

Corn Syrup, Nonfat Milk, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar, Soybean Oil, Cocoa Processed With Alkali And Cocoa, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Fully Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Mono And Diglycerides, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Vanillin (artificial Flavor).

Why is my homemade hot fudge sauce grainy? ›

Graining can be caused by stirring the fudge mixture during the cooling process or not adding enough fluid to dissolve the sugar. The trick to fixing graininess is to melt the sugar crystals to give them another chance at setting properly.

Is hot fudge different from chocolate syrup? ›

Ingredients: Hot fudge sauce is typically made with chocolate, sugar, butter, and cream or milk, while chocolate syrup is made with cocoa powder, sugar, and water or milk. Consistency: Hot fudge sauce has a thicker and creamier consistency than chocolate syrup, which tends to be thinner and more liquidy.

What makes hot fudge taste different? ›

Hot fudge is made by boiling together cream, sugar, chocolate, and sometimes butter—the traditional ingredients for fudge—into what is essentially just an undercooked, unset version of the confection. It differs from plain old chocolate sauce by virtue of being gooier and more viscous.

Why does hot fudge taste so good? ›

Cream or milk, sugar, and butter are slowly boiled down until slightly thickened and light caramel-colored. This boiling-down process not only gives the sauce it's great gooey texture, but also contributes that special “fudgey” taste to the chocolate.

Why did my hot fudge sauce crystallize? ›

Grainy Fudge

If the melting sugar splashes onto the sides of the pan, it turns back into crystals and causes the fudge to seize up. To avoid this issue, swirl the pan instead of stirring it with a spoon. You can use a wet pastry brush to wipe down any sugar that sticks to the sides of the pot.

What is in Mackinac Island fudge? ›

Ingredients. Milk, cream, sugar, corn syrup, skim milk, high fructose corn syrup, whey, water, chocolate liquor, hydrogenated coconut oil, peanut oil, alkalized cocoa, mono and diglycerides, buttermilk, butter, natural flavors, soy lecithin, pectin, salt, cellulose gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, annatto (color), vanilla.

Should hot fudge sauce be refrigerated? ›

If you have leftovers (but let's be honest, you'll have to quadruple the recipe to have leftovers) then put it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will harden into a soft, gooey fudge like consistency. Then keep a spoon handy on the counter and dip it in every time you pass by.

Is it safe to can hot fudge sauce? ›

That's not to say that recipes aren't available, there are plenty of them on the internet, but they are NOT safe. Chocolate sauces are low-acid foods. Improper canning of low-acid foods has the potential to allow the spores that cause botulism to grow. Botulism is a food poisoning.

Will powdered sugar thicken fudge? ›

How to thicken your fudge? If your fudge it noticeably thin, you may want to add more chocolate. If you are out of chocolate, you can also add 1/4-1/2 cup of powdered sugar. This, however, can make the fudge very sweet.

How do you make homemade hot sauce smooth? ›

The more liquid you incorporate—whether it's brine, vinegar, or soy sauce—the thinner your sauce will be. For a smoother texture, prolonged blending is your best bet. If you want your sauce even smoother, then straining that blended sauce is an even better option.

Is Hershey syrup the same as hot fudge? ›

In the simplest terms, it all comes down to viscosity — hot fudge is thicker than both chocolate sauce and chocolate syrup, with a richer, more decadent chocolate flavor.

What chocolate syrup does Starbucks use for hot chocolate? ›

Starbucks makes its hot chocolate with mocha syrup that's used for a variety of other drinks in the store. A barista combines mocha syrup with a couple squirts of vanilla syrup and heated milk, and he then finishes off the drink with a sweet pile of whipped cream.

What makes fudge taste like fudge? ›

Fudge (Chocolate and Otherwise)

Aside from these ingredients, fudge is generally comprised simply of milk, sugar, and butter as the base. To this basic recipe, one can add chocolate chips, butterscotch, peanut butter chips, white chocolate, or even espresso powder to create compelling flavor combinations.

What is the main ingredient in Louisiana hot sauce? ›

Louisiana hot sauce is usually made from vinegar, and one of two peppers, cayenne or tabasco.

What is the sauce called that is made from chiles and chocolate? ›

Mole sauce is a rich and savoury traditional Mexican sauce made of hot chiles and rich chocolate. It's cooked slowly and flavoured with fresh herbs and spices.

What is Mackinac Island fudge made of? ›

The team has the process down pat: One person weighs the ingredients—raw chocolate from Germany, sugar from Bay City, and cream and butter—into a copper kettle set over a propane gas burner. The maker constantly stirs with an oak paddle until the sugary mixture reaches a roaring boil, about 16 to 17 minutes.

Why did my hot fudge sauce separate? ›

If the butter gets too hot, it can separate, causing the fudge to become oily on top. This is easy to prevent by monitoring the temperature with a candy thermometer, but separated fudge can also be fixed. To fix oily, hard or grainy fudge, scoop the fudge back into a pot with about a cup of water.

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