Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe

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If you’ve been looking for a rich, velvety Hot Fudge Sauce recipe to drizzle over your favorite desserts, you’ve found it! This easy hot fudge sauce recipe is made with simple ingredients, and it only takes minutes to whip up. Whether you’re topping off a bowl of vanilla ice cream or adding it to a decadent brownie sundae, this homemade hot fudge sauce is thick, smooth, and full of deep chocolate flavor. Plus, it’s so much better than anything you’ll find at the grocery store.

Why You’ll Love This Hot Fudge Sauce

This recipe is super simple! With just a few pantry staples, you’ll have a hot fudge sauce that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did. It’s versatile, you can pour it over anything from ice cream cakes to fresh fruit, or even use it as a dip. The best part? You control the ingredients, so you can skip the artificial flavors and weird preservatives. Once you try making your own hot fudge sauce, you’ll never go back to store-bought!

Hot Fudge Sauce vs Chocolate Syrup

Hot fudge sauce is thicker and richer, with a deep chocolate flavor, while chocolate syrup is usually thinner and sweeter.

Ingredients Needed For Hot Fudge Sauce

With just a few pantry staples, you’ll have a hot fudge sauce that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did. Here’s what you’ll need to gather up:

• Heavy cream: The base that gives this sauce a luscious texture.
• Light corn syrup: Helps with that glossy, smooth finish.
• Brown sugar: Adds a rich, molasses-like sweetness.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: For that intense chocolate flavor.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
• Chocolate chips: I use semi-sweet or bittersweet for the best results. Divided in half for a perfect texture.
• Butter: Unsalted butter adds richness and a silky finish.
• Vanilla extract: A little bit of vanilla rounds out the flavors.

Variations

• Dark chocolate: Use dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor.
• Milk chocolate: Use milk chocolate for a will a sweeter, less intense chocolate flavor.
• Peanut butter: Swirl in a tablespoon of peanut butter for a twist.
• Peppermint extract: Add a drop or two for a holiday vibe.
• Caramel sauce: Drizzle in some caramel for a layered dessert sauce.

How To Make Hot Fudge Sauce

For full recipe details, including ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card below. Here are my step by step instructions for making this easy hot fudge recipe:

1. Combine Ingredients

In a medium saucepan, combine the heavy cream, light corn syrup, brown sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and half of the chocolate chips.

2. Heat + Simmer

Place over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce to medium-low heat and lightly simmer for about 5 minutes.

3. Add Remaining Ingredients + Whisk

Remove from heat and whisk in the remaining chocolate chips, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.

4. Cool or Serve

Pour into a bowl to cool or use it immediately over your favorite desserts.

Uses For Hot Fudge Sauce

It’s perfect for topping ice cream sundaes, drizzling over brownies, or even dipping fresh fruit. It’s also great for a ice cream hot fudge sundae or serve at ice cream parties!

Storage Directions For Hot Fudge

Store this easy hot fudge sauce recipe in a glass jar or any airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It will thicken as it cools but can be warmed up to get that smooth consistency again.

To Make Ahead: Make it ahead and store in the fridge. Just reheat when you’re ready to serve.

To Freeze: Freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.

What To Serve Hot Fudge Sauce With

• BEST Cheesecake Ever – no water bath!
• BEST Homemade Brownies
• Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
• Belgian Waffles
• BEST Crepes Recipe
• Rice Krispies Treats
• Donuts

More Homemade Dessert Sauce Recipes

• Caramel Sauce
• Salted Caramel Sauce
• Lemon Curd
• Cranberry Sauce
• Peppermint Chocolate Sauce
• Hot Fudge Sauce

Once you try this homemade hot fudge sauce recipe, it’s sure to become a staple in your dessert rotation. No more reaching for a jar of hot fudge from the store—this is the real deal, and it couldn’t be easier to make! The printable recipe card is below! Enjoy, friends! 🙂

If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.