This is the fudgiest, fudge-y, chocolatey, Hot Fudge Sauce you will ever make! It only takes 5 ingredients and about 5 minutes to make. Once cooled, the hot fudge sauce keeps in the fridge for up to a month. Warm up portions by spooning it into a separate bowl, then pour it over ice cream or any dessert that deserves a big helping of hot fudge!
When we go out for ice cream my number one order is always a hot fudge sundae. I like the fudge to be thick, fudge-y and sweet. I do not want warmed up chocolate syrup!!!! This Hot Fudge Recipe is a perfect homemade sub for thick ice cream shoppe hot fudge sauce.
For super bonus parent points on a snow day you can have the kids whip up some snow ice cream while you make this hot fudge sauce! Then call me because I want to come over too.
Jump to:
- Why Youโll Love This Hot Fudge Sauce
- Hot Fudge Sauce vs. Chocolate Sauce
- Classic Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make Hot Fudge Sauce
- Variations
- Storing
- How to Use Hot Fudge Sauce
- Gift Idea
- FAQ's
- More Dessert Sauces
- Did you make this recipe?
- Easy Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe
- Leave a comment and rate this recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Hot Fudge Sauce
True ice cream shoppe texture. This sauce thickens into rich hot fudge instead of a thin chocolate syrup. Also by using powdered sugar you ensure the hot fudge is never gritty.
Quick and simple to make. It comes together in about 5 minutes on the stovetop with just a handful of pantry ingredients.
Reheats beautifully. Once chilled, the sauce firms up into that classic fudge texture, but it warms back to silky perfection in seconds.
Perfect for more than just ice cream. Drizzle it over brownies, cheesecake, pound cake… when you want to turn a simple dessert into something a little more special.
Hot Fudge Sauce vs. Chocolate Sauce
There is a distinct difference between hot fudge and chocolate sauce. Think of the thin, pourable texture of Hershey's syrup when you picture chocolate sauce, it's smooth and runny and stays that way even when it's cold. I always think it is better at making chocolate milk then topping off ice cream.
Hot fudge, on the other hand, is much thicker and richer. It's made to be warmed and slowly poured as a fudgy layer over ice cream (or desserts). Once it cools, it firms up into a soft fudge consistency.
Classic Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe Ingredients
You just need 5 simple ingredients to make this Hot Fudge Sauce;
- Chocolate Chips – you can choose from three different chocolate chips; semi-sweet, dark, or milk chocolate. They will all work!
- Butter – use a good quality salted butter for your fudge sauce. No need to soften the butter before making this recipe.
- Powdered Sugar – instead of using granulated sugar, powdered sugar is what you want. It melts into the butter and chocolate and lends to the thickness of the fudge sauce.
- Evaporated Milk – make sure that you use evaporated milk and NOT sweetened condensed milk!
- Vanilla – a little vanilla added at the end turns up the flavor volume of this fudge sauce recipe. Warning the sauce will bubble up a little when you add the vanilla.
How to Make Hot Fudge Sauce
Step 1
Melt the butter and chocolate chips.
Step 2
Alternate adding some of the evaporated milk and powdered sugar.
Step 3
Bring the mixture to a boil, while whisking.
Step 4
Remove from the heat and add the vanilla.
Variations
- Espresso Hot Fudge
Add ยฝ teaspoon of instant espresso powder while the sauce cooks. It won't taste like coffee, but it deepens the chocolate flavor and makes the sauce taste even richer. - Salted Hot Fudge
Stir in a pinch of flaky sea salt at the end or sprinkle a little on top when serving. The salt balances the sweetness and makes the chocolate flavor really pop. - Mexican Chocolate Style
Add a small pinch of cinnamon and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper while cooking. It gives the sauce a warm, slightly spiced flavor that pairs especially well with vanilla ice cream. - Extra Dark Chocolate Fudge
Use bittersweet or dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet. The result is a deeper, more intense chocolate sauce that's perfect if you prefer less sweetness.
Storing
Let the Hot Fudge Sauce cool for about 30 minutes before bottling and storing in the fridge. We like to transfer the sauce to mason jars for storing in the fridge. It will be good in the fridge for up to a month, at least!
Then you can remove the lid and microwave the entire jar when you are ready to use. NOTE: the fudge will heat from the middle- out. So make sure you microwave in 15 second increments, stirring in between.
Alternately you can spoon out portions into a bowl and microwave to warm.
How to Use Hot Fudge Sauce
Our very favorite way to use this hot fudge sauce is in a Hot Fudge Sundae. This can be a mix of a lot of options, but we keep it classic:
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Hot Fudge
- Marachino Cherry
- Whipped Cream
This is also delicious at the holidays spooned over peppermint ice cream, with a brownie on the side. Or you can use this hot fudge in this Christmas Trifle!
A Turtle Sundae is also a popular dessert that includes a fudge sauce:
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Hot Fudge Sauce
- Toasted Pecans
- Caramel Sauce
- whipped cream
- maraschino cherry
Gift Idea
This hot fudge also makes a great Holiday gift idea. Simply include a card that has an expiration date, and reheating instructions.
Make it a fun package by adding some toasted pecans in a cute baggie, and a mason jar of brown sugar caramel sauce so your gift recipient can make Turtle Sundae’s!
FAQ's
The fudge won't completely harden over ice cream (like a "magic shell" or dipped cone will). But it will become thicker the colder it gets.
Remember when the hot fudge gets cold it becomes really thick, even scoopable! So when reheating it to serve, you can simply warm it gently and let it cool slightly to thicken. As it hits the cold ice cream, it naturally thickens into that classic fudgy layer.
If you prefer a thicker hot fudge, try whisking in a little extra powdered sugar while the sauce is cooking on the stovetop. A small amount will help the sauce set up into an even richer, thicker fudge as it cools.
If your hot fudge is a little too thick, simply warm it gently and stir in a small splash of milk or cream until it reaches the consistency you like. Adding just a tablespoon at a time will loosen the sauce without diluting the rich chocolate flavor.
You can also slightly reduce the powdered sugar when making the sauce on the stovetop. Using a little less will naturally create a thinner, more pourable hot fudge.
Grainy hot fudge usually happens when the sugar doesn't fully dissolve while the sauce is cooking. That is why this recipe is SO great, it calls for powdered sugar which will dissolve more easily than grain sugar.
More Dessert Sauces
Did you make this recipe?
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Easy Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe
Equipment
- sauce pan
Ingredients
- 1 (full) cup chocolate chips - – semi-sweet, milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips
- ยฝ cup salted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar - sifted
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a saucepan over low heat melt the butter and chocolate chips together, stirring frequently.1 (full) cup chocolate chips, ยฝ cup salted butter
- Once the butter and chocolate chips are melted together, slowly alternate whisking in the powdered sugar and evaporated milk.2 cups powdered sugar, 1 cup evaporated milk
- Increase the heat to medium and bring the mixture to a boil, whisk continuously for 2 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. The fudge may bubble up a bit when adding the vanilla, that is ok.1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Pour the fudge sauce into a container and let cool. We like to use mason jars!
- Let cool about 30 minutes, then refrigerate until ready to use. Can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a month.
Serving Hot Fudge Sauce
- Spoon out the desired amount of fudge sauce and warm in the microwave for 15 second increments, stirring between.Tip: If you warm the entire jar of fudge, note that it will warm from the middle- outward, so make sure you stir between each 15 seconds.
- This is wonderful served over ice cream, brownies, pound cake, great for dipping fruit - good on about anything!
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