Hot Fudge (2024)

This homemade Hot Fudge sauce is thick, smooth, and perfectly decadent! It only takes minutes to make and makes the best hot fudge sundae!

Looking for more rich chocolate recipes? Try my Fudge, Chocolate Truffles, or Chocolate Mug Cake.

Hot Fudge (1)

Hot Fudge is a thick chocolate sauce that’s served warm over ice cream to make a hot fudge sundae, then topped with nuts, whipped cream and a maraschino cherry. You could really top it on a variety of different dessert recipes. You can buy it in a can at the store, but nothing compares to this simple homemade hot fudge recipe.

Why this is the BEST Hot Fudge Sauce:

  • Fast – Only 15 minutes from start to finish.
  • Variety of Uses – We love this with ice cream topped with nuts on the best hot fudge sundae, on crepes, a skillet cookie, on an Oreo milkshake, Chocolate Milkshake, and sometimes even just with a spoon! It’s great for holiday gifting, presented in a jar with a ribbon and tag.
  • Delicious – Store-bought hot fudge may be convenient, but you just can’t beat the flavor of homemade. I promise you will never buy it from the store again.

How to make Hot Fudge:

Melt Chocolate: Place chopped chocolate in a glass bowl in the microwave on half power, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.

  • I use 12 oz (2.5 boxes) of semi-sweet Baker’s chocolate, or Trader Joes Pound Plus bars. Any high quality chocolate, like Ghirardelli chocolate chips, will also work!
Hot Fudge (2)

Add Cocoa Powder: Pour the cocoa powder into the melted chocolate mixture and stir to combine. The mixture will be thick.

Hot Fudge (3)

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.

Hot Fudge (4)

Add Chocolate Mixture: Pour the chocolate mixture into the syrup and stir until smooth. The sauce will thicken as it cools. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. Enjoy on top of ice cream, in a chocolate or Oreo milkshake, in a dessert crepe, fondue, or with a spoon!

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Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

To Make Ahead: This hot fudge sauce recipe can be made up to 3 weeks ahead of time and kept in an airtight container in the fridge. Heat slowly in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until pourable.

To Freeze: Cool completely then store this easy hot fudge in a freezer safe jar or bag for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator then reheat slowly in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds. Be careful not to let it get too hot or burn.

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Recipe

Hot Fudge (6)

4.98 from 268 votes

Hot Fudge Sauce

This homemade Hot Fudge sauce is thick, smooth, and perfectly decadent! It only takes minutes to make and makes the best hot fudge sundae!

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Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12

Calories 283

Cost 5

Prep 5 minutes mins

Cook 10 minutes mins

Total 15 minutes mins

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Ingredients

  • 10 ounces good quality semi-sweet chocolate* , chopped
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder , measured, then sifted
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 Tablespoons butter , chopped

Instructions

  • In a microwave-safe bowl (or double boiler on the stove, stirring constantly) melt the chocolate on half power, in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.

  • Remove from microwave and stir in the sifted cocoa powder until smooth. The mixture will be thick. Set aside.

  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, corn syrup, cream, salt and water. Stir constantly and bring to a simmer.

  • Simmer for 4 minutes.Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and butter.

  • Add the melted chocolate mixture and stir until smooth.

  • Serve warm, over ice cream.

Notes

Chocolate: I use 10 oz (2 ½ boxes) of semi-sweet Baker’s chocolate or Trader Joes pound plus bars, but any high quality chocolate, like Ghirardelli chocolate chips, will work.

Storing Instructions: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 weeks. Rewarm slowly in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until pourable.

Freezing Instructions: Cool completely then store in a freezer safe jar or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then rewarm slowly in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until pourable. Be careful not to let it get too hot or burn.

Nutrition

Calories: 283kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 2gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 68mgPotassium: 175mgFiber: 2gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 195IUCalcium: 26mgIron: 1.8mg

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I originally shared this post in December 2014. Updated December 2020 and 2022.

Recipe adapted from Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook.

This post contains affiliate links.

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About The Author

Hot Fudge (11)

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

Hot Fudge (2024)

FAQs

What is hot 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.

How is hot fudge different from chocolate? ›

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.

What is McDonald's hot fudge made of? ›

View Ingredients and Allergens

Ingredients: Sugars (sugar, glucose syrup), Water, Milk ingredients, Hydrogenated palm kernel oil or hydrogenated coconut oil, Cocoa, Salt, Disodium phosphate, Potassium sorbate, Natural flavour (plant source), Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, Soy lecithin.

Can you eat hot fudge? ›

The flavours are also more pronounced when fudge is eaten cold or at room temperature, as chilling can concentrate the sweetness and richness. Hot Fudge: Serving fudge hot is less common, but it can be a delightful experience, particularly when used as a topping.

What is Dairy Queen hot fudge made of? ›

Artificially Flavored Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream: Milkfat And Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Corn Syrup, Whey, Mono And Diglycerides, Artificial Flavor, Guar Gum, Polysorbate 80, Carrageenan, Vitamin A Palmitate, Chocolate Flavored Hot Fudge Topping: Corn Syrup, Skim Milk, Sugar, Hydrogenated (Palm Kernel or Coconut Oil), ...

Should hot fudge be refrigerated? ›

So to recap, it's best to store proper fudge at room temperature. Keeping it in the fridge takes out all its moisture, drying it out. Homemade fudge is best in the fridge. No matter where you store it, the goal is to protect the fudge from exposure to the elements so airtight containers are best!

Why is hot fudge so good? ›

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.

Is fudge healthier than chocolate? ›

Fudge typically contains more sugar than chocolate, so it may not be the best choice for those looking to limit their sugar intake. On the other hand, dark chocolate is a good source of antioxidants and can provide health benefits when consumed in moderation.

How long is homemade hot fudge good for? ›

Hot Fudge Recipe

Let cool for 20 to 30 minutes before using (it will thicken as it cools). Store in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To reheat, microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute until it's pourable but still thick.

What is the most unhealthy dessert at McDonald's? ›

With more sugar and saturated fat than any of the dessert items at McDonald's, the McFlurry with M&M's is by far the unhealthiest option you can choose. If you're craving ice cream, you can opt for something like the Vanilla Cone instead.

What's in Smoky Mountain fudge? ›

Ingredients: Buttermilk, sugar, cream, fudge ribbon [powdered sugar, peanut oil, cocoa (processed with alkali), dextrose, nonfat dry milk, cocoa, salt, soy lecithin], corn syrup, cookies [sugar, enriched wheat flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), vegetable oil (palm, ...

What is soft serve hot fudge? ›

Our classic Hot Fudge Sundae is made with creamy vanilla soft serve and smothered in chocolatey hot fudge topping. It's a perfectly sweet addition to any of your favorite McDonald's items. There are 330 calories in a McDonald's Hot Fudge Sundae.

What is a magic shell made of? ›

Magic shell is a combination of chocolate and fat (typically sunflower or coconut oil) that hardens into a firm, glossy shell when poured over ice cream. The fat lends the shell a soft, palatable texture so you can easily break through it with a spoon.

Can you eat 2 month old fudge? ›

Typically, homemade fudge can last 1 to 2 weeks at room temperature, 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator, and up to 3 months in the freezer when stored correctly. The key to extending the shelf life of fudge is ensuring it's kept in an airtight container, away from heat and moisture.

What food goes well with hot fudge? ›

Serve the hot fudge warm over ice cream, frozen yogurt, cake, pie, or brownies. Note-you can make the hot fudge on the stovetop.

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).

Is hot fudge and chocolate syrup the same? ›

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 is hot chocolate fudge made of? ›

In a microwave safe bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips, butter, sweetened condensed milk, and hot chocolate mix. Microwave 1 minute at a time until ingredients are melted and smooth, stirring between each interval, about 3 minutes.

What is hot fudge sundae made of? ›

Our classic Hot Fudge Sundae is made with creamy vanilla soft serve and smothered in chocolatey hot fudge topping. It's a perfectly sweet addition to any of your favorite McDonald's items. There are 330 calories in a McDonald's Hot Fudge Sundae. *Mobile Order & Pay at participating McDonald's.

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