Hot Fudge Sauce
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Hot Fudge Sauce is a delicious thick, smooth and rich chocolate sauce recipe with only five ingredients. It’s the perfect topping for a big bowl of ice cream. Go all out and top your hot fudge sauce and ice cream with nuts, whipped cream and a maraschino cherry! It’s perfect for a quick dessert over the holidays, when you have friends and family over or just because!
If you’ve been following along for a while you already know how much I love ice cream, especially homemade ice cream. But, until now, I’ve been holding out on you with the ultimate way to dress up a bowl of ice cream. Or, at least, what I consider the ultimate topping – Hot Fudge Sauce! Since I was a kid I can’t resist topping my ice cream with a generous spoonful of this sauce. I really love it on Banana Split Ice Cream. Oh, who am I kidding? I love it on any kind of ice cream! Oh, and on Dessert Nachos – you have to try them!
It’s so tasty plus it hardens when it hits the ice cream. Why do I love that so much? I just do. I think the only thing better than it on ice cream is adding some Homemade Caramel Sauce, too. That is a very dangerous combination! And, while you’re at it, maybe add some crushed nuts, whipped cream and a cherry on top and really treat yourself!
It’s velvety smooth, super chocolatey, and so easy to make. You only need five ingredients plus about 10 minutes to make it. You’ll never buy the jarred stuff again once you try this! There is nothing better than ice cream topped with warm Hot Fudge Sauce that takes just minutes to make. It’s so good!
What do I need to make it?
If you’d rather skip my (very helpful, I think) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this delicious recipe – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.
- sugar
- cocoa
- cream
- butter
- vanilla
How do I make Hot Fudge Sauce?
- Mix the sugar and cocoa together in a small saucepan. Add the cream and stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and boil it for one minute. Don’t scrape down the side of the pan because this will crystalize the fudge.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the butter and vanilla. Stir until the butter is melted. Serve right away.
This recipe is so easy! Five ingredients, three steps and you get rich and decadent Hot Fudge Sauce.
What is the difference between hot fudge and chocolate sauce?
Hot fudge is thicker and richer than chocolate sauce which is usually thinner. This is because it’s made with cream and butter while chocolate sauce is sometimes made with water and/or corn syrup as a sweetener.
Do you need to refrigerate it?
Yes, it needs to be refrigerated. It will keep for up to two weeks as long as it’s stored in an airtight container.
How do you reheat it?
You can reheat homemade it either on the stove or in the microwave. Warm it slowly and stir until it’s smooth and shiny.
Can it be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze it in an airtight container for several months. You will want to first thaw it in the refrigerator and then reheat it either on the stove top or in the microwave. If the sauce is too thick you can thin it with some extra cream or milk.
Just writing this post makes me want more of this decadent ice cream topping! I’m telling you, once you try you will fall in love and it will be your go-to topping for all the bowls of ice cream! Speaking of ice cream, here are a few of our favorite recipes that are great with homemade Hot Fudge Sauce.
Homemade Ice Cream Recipes to Serve with Hot Fudge Sauce!
More Chocolate Dessert Recipes
- Chocolate Zucchini Cake with Chocolate Chips
- No Bake Raspberry Chocolate Cheesecake
- Chocolate Bundt Cake
- Oreo Poke Cake
WATCH THE STEP BY STEP VIDEO FOR THIS RECIPE BELOW:
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Try it and love it? Rate it, please!!! ? Seriously though a five-star rating below will make my day! If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!!
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!

Hot Fudge Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 c. sugar
- 2 Tbsp cocoa
- 1/2 c. cream
- 1 tsp butter
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- In a small saucepan mix together sugar and cocoa until combined. Add cream and stir.
- Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Be careful not to scrape down the mixture on the sides of the pans. This will make the fudge crystallize.
- Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Stir until butter is melted. Serve immediately.
Tips
Do you need to refrigerate it?
Yes, it needs to be refrigerated. It will keep for up to two weeks as long as it's stored in an airtight container.How do you reheat it?
You can reheat homemade it either on the stove or in the microwave. Warm it slowly and stir until it's smooth and shiny.Can Hot Fudge Sauce be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze it in an airtight container for several months. You will want to first thaw it in the refrigerator and then reheat it either on the stove top or in the microwave. If the sauce is too thick you can thin it with some extra cream or milk.Video
Nutrition Information
Otis Stigger says
Hi, thank you a lot. Can I have your skype for asking questions?
Julie says
Leave any questions you have here in the comments and I will get them answered!
Pete Mathis says
if it’s too thin, how do I thicken it?
Julie says
It should thicken as it cools, is it still too thin after cooling?
Jenni says
I love hot fudge on my ice cream, but never considered making it myself! I had no idea it was this easy and this delicious! I will never buy the jarred stuff again!
Julie says
It is SO delicious!
Chrissy says
I don’t know why I never realized you could make hot fudge at home! Like apparently I thought it only came in a hershey’s bottle, LOL. This came out delicious and soooo yummy on top of ice cream.
Julie says
The BEST on ice cream!
Laura and Valerie says
I shared this blog post over on my Making My Own series today, and linked back to you for the full recipe! Thanks again for sharing this, it was delicious!!
Joan@Chocolateandmore says
I always wanted a brother growing up. I got stuck with a know it all older sister, hehe. I love her anyway but as a kid, I would have traded her in a heartbeat! I’m going to have to try this sauce, My Uncle used to make a hard sauce for ice cream but somewhere along the way, everyone has lost track of the recipe.
Julie says
We always want what we don’t have right?! Trust me…I would have traded my brothers in a heartbeat often times too!
Stephanie @ Macaroni and Cheesecake says
I LOVE hot fudge sauce! This looks amazing!
Julie says
Thanks Stephanie! It’s pretty much to die for!
Laura and Valerie says
Hubby’s going to love this! Pinning from the pinterest party at online blogcon!
Julie says
Yes he will! Haven’t met anyone that doesn’t love it!