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!

Hot Fudge (5)

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.

Follow me for more great recipes

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!

Print Pin Review

Prep 5 minutes mins

Cook 10 minutes mins

Total 15 minutes mins

Save Recipe

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

Did You Make This Recipe?

Tag @TastesBetterFromScratch on Instagram with #TastesBetterFromScratch!

Follow Me

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.

Related Posts

Published

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

How do you know when fudge is hot enough? ›

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.

How long does it take fudge to reach 234 degrees? ›

Boil without stirring, to 234 degrees F on a candy thermometer (or until syrup, when dropped in very cold water forms a soft ball which flattens when removed from water). Bulb of candy thermometer should not rest on bottom of pan. (This can take 20-30 minutes).

How to fix condensed milk fudge that is too soft? ›

How to fix soft fudge - Quora. Put it in a microwave safe bowl that is large enough that it won't boil over. Reheat it to the boiling point and cook for about 3 more minutes. Then you can beat some powdered sugar into it if this doesn't make it set.

How do you thicken fudge that won't set? ›

OPTION 3) Sieve together some powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and gradually work this into your unset fudge until it reaches the consistency of dough, then roll out and cut into squares, or shape into balls and then roll in powdered sugar (roll the balls in icing sugar, not yourself).

Should you stir fudge while it's boiling? ›

Avoid Stirring Once the Mixture Comes to a Simmer

Another key part of a successful fudge texture is when you stir the mixture. Stirring the sugar and milk during the initial stages of cooking allows the sugar to dissolve. However, once the mixture comes to a boil, it's time to put the spoon down.

What happens if you boil fudge too long? ›

Too cooked

The result is hard and brittle fudge. To save the fudge, put it in a saucepan with 45 to 60 ml (3 or 4 tbsp.) of 35% cream and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar is completely melted. Then let it boil without stirring until the thermometer reaches 114 to 115 °C (237 to 239 °F).

How to tell if fudge is ready without a thermometer? ›

Using a clean spoon, carefully take a little of the syrup and drop it into the bowl of cold water. Leave to cool for a moment then pick up the ball of syrup. If it's pliable, sticky and can be moulded in your fingers easily, it has reached the soft ball stage and the syrup can be used to make fudge and marzipan.

Why is my 3 ingredient fudge not setting? ›

Why won't my 3 ingredient fudge set? This often happens when the condensed milk and chocolate chip mixture isn't hot enough to start. Everything must be completely melted before it is transferred to the pan to cool.

Can you overcook fudge? ›

If your fudge is tough, hard, or grainy, then you may have made one of several mistakes: You may have overcooked it, beaten it too long, or neglected to cool it to the proper temperature. Don't throw out the whole pan, because you may be able to melt the fudge down and try again.

What can I do with failed fudge? ›

As for what you can do with it if you don't want to start over: My favorite uses are as hot fudge topping or dissolve it in water or milk for luxurious hot chocolate.

Why didn't my condensed milk fudge set? ›

Fudge Didn't Set

If your fudge turned out super sticky, or it didn't set as it cooled, it probably never got hot enough. This mistake is super easy to avoid if you use a candy thermometer and cook the fudge to the temperature specified in the recipe (usually between 234 and 239°F).

Why is my fudge still runny? ›

If your fudge turns out too soft or runny, it might not have been heated for the correct duration. It's essential to adjust the cooking time meticulously to ensure the mixture reaches the right consistency without risking overcooking.

How to 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.

Why won't my 2 ingredient fudge set? ›

The main reason is that your Fudge has not reached the optimum temperature. If your mixture only reaches 110 or 112 degrees Celsius it will always be soft. That's why we recommend investing in a sugar thermometer. Another reason your Fudge is not setting is that the ratio of liquid to sugar is too high.

Can I reboil my fudge? ›

OMG My fudge is grainy, what do I do? -

Pop the grainy fudge back into the pan along with some water and a little cream and melt the fudge back down to a liquid and re-boil it to temperature. Heat slowly to begin with and make sure the mixture goes completely smooth before bringing it to the boil.

Can you overheat fudge? ›

It could be that your fudge is overcooked and this causes the sugar to harden. A sugar thermometer will help you to check it reaches the correct temperature which is the soft ball stage at 112 to 116 °C (234 to 241 °F). If it exceeds this, it is heading for a much chewier consistency.

How long should fudge cool before you cut it? ›

Once the fudge has thickened and the nuts are added, pour the fudge into the prepared pan. Allow it to set at room temperature until firm, about three hours or overnight.

How long to heat hot fudge? ›

For me, boiling for 3 minutes is ideal. And I always let the fudge cool just a bit before serving. You really don't want to waste a good fudge on a burnt tongue.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 6782

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.