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This hot fudge sauce recipe is rich, decadent and easy to make in minutes. It’s the best fudgy homemade sauce for topping ice cream sundaes or drizzling over other desserts!

Pouring hot fudge sauce in a glass jar.
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Best Hot Fudge Recipe

Ditch the store-bought toppings and try making your own homemade fudge sauce, strawberry sauce, caramel sauce and whipped cream at home!

This hot fudge sauce is SO easy to make and only takes 5 simple ingredients! This hot fudge is more of a thick chocolate sauce (and way better than chocolate syrup). It tastes amazing on all types of desserts, like vanilla ice cream, cakes or pies.

The best part about this chocolate fudge sauce is that you can whip it up in less than 10 minutes and reheat it later! I like to keep a jar in my fridge at all times, because you just never know when you’ll need it.

Ingredients Needed

This sauce is simply the best and so easy to make with only a few ingredients!

Hot fudge ingredients in a pot.
  • Chocolate chips: I prefer to use Guittard semi-sweet chocolate chips.
  • Sugar: We use a granulated sugar which adds the sweetness.
  • Evaporated milk: This adds the perfect creaminess to this fudge sauce.
  • Butter: I prefer to use salted butter, but if you’re using unsalted butter just add in a pinch of salt at the end.
  • Vanilla: I like to use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.

Variations

  • Chocolate: I love semi-sweet chocolate chips but you can use bittersweet chocolate or unsweetened chocolate. Instead of chips you can use chopped up baking bars as well. The quality of your chocolate does make a difference!
  • Milk: I love evaporated milk as it is a pantry staple, but half and half should work for a 1:1 substitution.

How to Make Hot Fudge

This takes only 10 minutes from start to finish! While store bought may be convenient, the taste of homemade is so good and just can’t be beat.

Showing how to make hot fudge in a pot.
  1. Melt. Add all ingredients (except vanilla) to a medium sauce pan and cook over medium-heat until melted, about 6 to 7 minutes.
  2. Boil. Bring to light boil, stirring constantly. Once lightly boiling, remove from heat immediately. Then stir in vanilla.
  3. Cool. Let cool for 5-10 minutes. It will thicken as it cools.

Expert Tips

  • Stir in the vanilla after you’ve removed the pan from heat. This way the vanilla flavor stays strong and doesn’t evaporate.
  • The sauce will thicken as it cools, so wait about 5 to 10 minutes to use it if you like a thicker sauce.
  • For a thinner consistency, remove the mixture from the heat immediately after it melts and let cool (do not boil).
  • This recipe makes about 3 cups of hot fudge sauce. You can cut it in half or double the recipe depending on how much you need.
A spoonful of hot fudge.

Favorite Ways to Use Hot Fudge

Around Christmas time, I love making a hot fudge sundae with peppermint ice cream and candy canes on top. SO delicious! Here are some other ways we love to use it.

FAQs

What is hot fudge made of?

While recipes can vary common ingredients include chocolate chips or cocoa powder, milk, butter, sugar and vanilla.

Can I make this in the microwave?

For this hot fudge sauce recipe, you need to use the stovetop. While there are methods to make microwave hot fudge, this recipe will have best results using the stove.

Will the sugar crystallize?

Crystallization is a common issue when working with granulated sugar. Follow my directions on how to heat the sugar and it should dissolve into your liquid without any crystallization or grainy texture.

Can I make this in advance?

This is great to make ahead especially in the summer when you will want to use it all the time for ice cream sundaes or to make an ice cream bar! Cool then store covered in the refrigerator for 3 weeks, follow directions to reheat before serving.

What is the difference between hot fudge and chocolate sauce?

Hot fudge has a thicker consistency similar to a ganache and is typically made of cream, sugar, chocolate, butter and vanilla.

It is rich and decadent in taste. Chocolate sauce is typically made with corn syrup (or sugar), unsweetened cocoa powder, water, salt and vanilla. It has a thinner syrup consistency and spreads a little easier.

Storage

Make sure to store your homemade hot fudge in the refrigerator in an airtight container. I like to store it in a glass mason jar. The fudge will last up to 1 month in the fridge.

To reheat it, place in microwave and cook in 30 second intervals until warmed throughout. You can also reheat it in a saucepan until it is a thin and pourable consistency.

Hot fudge in a glass jar with spoon.

More places you can use your sauce include drizzling it on cheesecake dip, making s’mores ice cream with it or topping oreo peanut butter pie!

More Chocolate Recipes To Try

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A spoonful of hot fudge.

Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe

5 from 47 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
This hot fudge sauce recipe is rich, decadent and easy to make in minutes. It's the best fudgy homemade sauce for topping ice cream sundaes or drizzling over other desserts!
Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 9 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 24

Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Combine the chocolate, sugar, milk and butter in a medium sauce pan. Cook over medium-heat until melted (about 6-7 minutes). 
  • Bring to a light boil, stirring constantly (about 5 minutes). Once it has come to a light boil, immediately remove from heat. Then stir in vanilla. Add a pinch of salt if desired. Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes. It will thicken as it cools. 
  • Store in a closed jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Reheat in microwave in 30-second intervals until warm. 

Notes

Serving: This hot fudge makes about 3 cups. Serving size is 2 Tablespoons. 
Make ahead: You can make this recipe ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator in a sealed jar for up to 1 month. When ready to use, reheat on the stove on low heat or microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and cook an additional 15 to 30 seconds or until warm. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2Tablespoons | Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 24mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

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