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!

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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 fudge sauce made of? ›

Heat Ingredients: Combine sugar, light corn syrup, heavy cream, salt and water to a saucepan and stir well. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring well. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Add Chocolate Mixture: Pour the chocolate mixture into the syrup and stir until smooth.

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's the difference between hot fudge and fudge? ›

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.

What makes high quality fudge? ›

It's the size of sugar crystals that makes the knees of fudge lovers buckle…the smaller the crystals, the less they are perceived on the tongue and the more the fudge tastes smooth and creamy. Cooking, and beating after cooking, is the key to successful fudge.

What makes hot fudge taste different? ›

In fact, hot fudge sauce is just a fudge that never sets! 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.

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 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.

How long can homemade hot fudge last in the fridge? ›

How Long Does Fudge Last in the Fridge? To keep fudge fresh, it's important to keep it cool. With proper storage, fudge can last in the fridge for 2 to 3 weeks.

How long does hot fudge sauce last? ›

Homemade hot fudge sauce will keep for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator when stored in a jar or airtight container. Enjoy it cold or warm it back up in the microwave before serving.

How long does hot fudge sauce last in the fridge? ›

Unopened store-bought hot fudge topping can last up to one year past the 'best by' date on the packaging if properly stored. Once opened, you should aim to consume it within a month, although it can last up to three months in the refrigerator.

What makes fudge taste like fudge? ›

Fudge is a type of confectionery made with sugar, butter, and milk that often includes cocoa powder or melted chocolate. It has a creamy texture and can be flavored with various ingredients such as nuts, fruits, or spices. Fudge may also contain marshmallow creme or condensed milk to give it an even richer flavor.

What's the difference between caramel and fudge? ›

What is fudge? While caramel usually contains just one key ingredient, fudge is made from a perfectly balanced mixture of sugar, butter, and milk. Plus, it's not heated as high — around 115 degrees Celsius.

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.

What is the difference between sauce and fudge? ›

Answer: The big difference between fudge and sauce is the texture. Fudge tends to be thicker and more indulgent, while sauce is noticeably thinner. Sauce also has sugar and water or corn syrup, while fudge uses heavier ingredients like cream and butter.

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