The Best (& Easiest) Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (2024)

I have a major sweet tooth, so I’m always ready for a delicious dessert! So, when I came across a hot fudge sauce recipe that was so easy, and yet so delicious, I knew I had a keeper!

Hot fudge sauce can sound intimidating to make, but you will be pleasantly surprised by how quickly this comes together! And I have a secret, I actually make mine in the microwave most of the time!!

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Hot Fudge Sauce: A Party Must Have

Hot fudge sauce is a staple in my house, because you can use it to dress up any dessert! Boxed brownies? drizzle on hot fudge & chopped nuts! Store-bought cookies? Serve with ice cream (here’s a GREAT recipe) & hot fudge! Fresh fruit? Dip in hot fudge sauce! Simple boxed cake? add hot fudge, nuts, whipped cream, & a cherry on top!

Hot fudge is the perfect compliment to almost any dessert that you will be serving! And you can make it ahead & just pull it out of the fridge & warm it before your gathering!

The Perfect Hot Fudge Recipe

Growing up all I knew was Hershey’s syrup. Now, I love chocolate, but the chocolate syrup is TOO SWEET! And even store-bought hot fudge sauce is a step up, but still isn’t great. But this hot fudge recipe is perfect because it is rich, and not overly sweet (that’s how I like it!). However, if you prefer it a little sweeter, you can always add more sugar while your sauce is still hot.

The original recipe (from The Cafe Sucre Farine) calls for 1/4 cup of sugar, but since most desserts are usually pretty sweet on their own, I don’t think it needs any more sugar.

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I also use dark chocolate chips. You can use semi-sweet or bittersweet if you prefer. The original recipe calls for “good quality” chocolate cut into small pieces. In my area, it’s difficult to come by anything more than Toll House, so that is what I use most of the time, and the sauce comes out perfectly!

A Note on Scorching (aka burning) Chocolate

If you have ever heated chocolate directly in a pan, you may have had an experience with scorching chocolate. This can be heartbreaking! One minute you are on your way to smooth, velvety bliss, the next you have a thick, lumpy mess!

The great thing about this recipe is that the chocolate will actually melt due to the hot cream that it’s sitting in, so it doesn’t scorch! (In my experience, semi-sweet, dark chocolate & bittersweet chocolate does not scorch as easily as milk & white chocolate).

If you have ever made chocolate ganache (sounds super fancy, but is really just chocolate & heavy cream), you may know that you heat the cream until almost boiling. Next, pour your cream over the chocolate in a bowl and then place a lid or plate over it for about 5 minutes.

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What happens next is almost miraculous! Once you remove the plate, you will begin to whisk the chocolate together with the cream. At first, your heart might sink because it appears that the chocolate will not incorporate well, and then suddenly, the chocolate ganache becomes smooth, velvety & PERFECT!

You can use the same method to make this hot fudge sauce recipe if you want, or you can put the cream & chocolate in the microwave in 30-second increments! Either way, you’ll come out with this beautiful, rich, delicious sauce that you might just want to drink!!!

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This recipe is so quick & easy (& pretty much foolproof) that sometimes I just throw a few chocolate chips, a little half & half & butter in the microwave for a quick, single-serving treat! (Shhhh! Don’t tell anybody, I might have to share!).

Print Recipe

Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe

Course: Dessert

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup half & half
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 dash salt
  • 1/4 cup sugar optional if you want your sauce a little sweeter

Instructions

  • Place cream, chocolate chips, butter in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds & stir. If the chocolate is not melted thru, place back in the microwave for 15-30 seconds. Stir with a whisk until smooth & velvety, add salt & vanilla & mix until well incorporated.

I hope this hot fudge sauce recipe becomes one of your family favorites too! Leave a comment below & let me know if you tried it and what you think about it!

The Best (& Easiest) Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (5)

The Best (& Easiest) Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (6)

The Best (& Easiest) Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (7)

The Best (& Easiest) Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (8)

The Best (& Easiest) Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between fudge and hot 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. It differs from plain old chocolate sauce by virtue of being gooier and more viscous.

What makes hot fudge taste different? ›

Hot fudge is the thickest and richest

It's the addition of heavy cream (in place of water or milk) and butter that creates hot fudge. Cream and butter give hot fudge its lush texture, flavor complexity, and dense richness. In addition to cocoa, chunks of chocolate are sometimes added for even more chocolatey goodness.

Why is my homemade hot fudge sauce grainy? ›

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 the best sauce for simple dessert? ›

The correct answer is Option D - Rich Sauce. The rich sauce is the best sauce for simple desserts.

What is Mcdonald's hot fudge made of? ›

Hot Fudge Topping

Ingredients: Sugar, Water, Nonfat Milk, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa (processed With Alkali), Corn Syrup, Salt, Disodium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor, Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Polyglycerol Esters Of Fatty Acids. Contains: Milk, Soy.

How do you thicken hot fudge? ›

Cornflour/Cornstarch: Mix a small amount with cold milk or water to create a smooth paste. Whisk this into your hot chocolate towards the end of the cooking process until it thickens. Double Cream: Stirring in a splash of double cream can instantly enrich and thicken your drink, giving it a velvety texture.

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.

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.

Why did my hot fudge sauce separate? ›

Heat can cause the oil to separate from the water-based ingredients in the sauce, resulting in a watery consistency. Another reason is that the emulsifiers in the sauce can break down under the influence of heat.

What is the secret to good fudge? ›

Tips for Making Fudge
  • Monitor the Temperature with a Candy Thermometer. If you end up with soft fudge that turns into a puddle in your hands or hard fudge that is a bit reminiscent of a crunchy candy, improper temperature is likely to blame. ...
  • Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer. ...
  • Beat Thoroughly.
Mar 8, 2023

What is the secret to non grainy fudge? ›

Once a seed crystal forms, it grows bigger and bigger as the fudge cools. A lot of big crystals in fudge makes it grainy. By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals.

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.

What is the simplest dessert? ›

The simplest dessert and one of the best are fruits because they are nutritious, appetizing, and easy to prepare and serve. Baked and soft custards vary in so many ways. Creamy, delicate, baked custards may be served in their baking cups or may be unmolded and served with fruit garnishes or with dessert sauces.

What is the most considered the simplest dessert? ›

Fruit is served as it is. Peeling or slicing is the only preparation you'll have to do. Unlike the other choices, you'll need other ingredients and some preparation steps before you can serve it. Hence, fruits are considered the simplest dessert among the choices.

What sauce is best suited to a rich dessert? ›

Light sauce – is suited to a rich dessert.

Hot fudge – is a delightful contrast to a cold cornstarch pudding or to vanilla ice cream. 4. Hot sauces – are made just before they are to be used.

What is the meaning of hot fudge? ›

: a hot, thick, chocolate sauce that is usually served on ice cream. A hot fudge sundae is ice cream topped with hot fudge and usually nuts and whipped cream.

What's the difference between fudge and chocolate fudge? ›

Although fudge often contains chocolate, fudge is not the same as chocolate. Chocolate is a mix of cocoa solids, cocoa butter and sometimes sugar and other flavorings and is hard and brittle. Fudge is a mixture of sugar, dairy and flavorings that is cooked and cooled to form a smooth, semi-soft confection.

Is fudge supposed to be hot? ›

The fudge is ready when a candy thermometer reads between 112°C to 114°C (234°F to 237°F) or the mixture forms a soft ball in cold water. Let the mixture cool before beating. The temperature at this point should be 43°C to 45°C (110°F to 113°F). The fudge should be warm but not burning hot.

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