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You are here: Home / Recipes / Condiments and Sauces / Best Hot Fudge Recipe

Best Hot Fudge Recipe

July 25, 2021

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two image collage of hot fudge in jar and also on a hot fudge sundae. center color block with text overlay.

This easy Hot Fudge recipe makes rich, smooth, fudgy, decadent hot fudge sauce in just minutes! Take your ice cream game to the next level with this homemade hot fudge and you’ll never buy store bought again! So much better!

Planning an ice cream party? Make sure to check out my No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce and Strawberry Sauce too!

homemade hot fudge recipe in glass canning jar with gold and white spoon sticking out of it.

Three years ago I made probably 20 batches of hot fudge sauce over the course of the summer tweaking the recipe each time until it was absolute perfection. And then I never shared it with you 😂

Here it is today! This hot fudge recipe is my go-to for hot fudge sundaes, ice cream bars, ice cream cakes and any other dessert that needs this decadent, fudgy, rich chocolate sauce to take it to the next level. It really is the best hot fudge I’ve ever had!

Homemade Hot Fudge

This homemade hot fudge is the best and once you’ve made it once, you’ll find yourself making excuses to make it again and again.

It’s crazy easy to make, just over 10 minutes from start to finish, uses ingredients you likely have on hand, and blows store bought hot fudge out of the water.

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Silky smoothy, thick and oh so rich, you’re going to love it!

jar of hot fudge sauce with some dripping over the top of the jar.

The Ultimate Hot Fudge Sundae

If you’ve never made hot fudge before, make it and then treat yourself to a hot fudge sundae. Trust me, no sundae is as good as one you make at home with homemade hot fudge sauce.

A couple scoops of vanilla ice cream, a generous drizzle of hot fudge, some crushed nuts and a cherry. Go all in and make some fresh whipped cream for a sundae no one will forget.

Serve warm because when cold, the hot fudge sauce is super thick and definitely not pourable. As the hot fudge hits the cold ice cream, it thickens and sets up.

hot fudge sundae made with homemade hot fudge sauce, peanuts and a cherry on top. Served in glass cone with a white spoon.

What You’ll Need

There are 7 ingredients in this hot fudge sauce recipe and I’m breaking down each one for you here. You can find the full printable recipe in the recipe card at the end of this post. Let’s take a quick look at what you’ll need:

  • unsalted butter – give this sauce richness and shininess as well as flavor.
  • bittersweet chocolate baking chocolate – you can use unsweetened or semi-sweet depending on your preference. It’s also okay to use ⅔ cup semisweet chocolate chips instead.
  • evaporated milk – half and half can be used instead.
  • granulated sugar – sweetens the hot fudge. If you end up using unsweetened baking chocolate, I’d add a couple extra tablespoons of sugar.
  • unsweetened cocoa powder – use anywhere from 6 to 8  tablespoons, depending on how chocolate-y you want the hot fudge. I prefer the full 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup) whereas my kids prefer about 6 tablespoons.
  • salt – to balance out all the sweetness.
  • vanilla extract – for flavor. Use the best quality vanilla extract available for best results.
hot fudge sauce ingredients measured out into small bowls ready to be used.

How To Make Hot Fudge Sauce

  1. Melt the butter and chocolate together in a saucepan over medium low heat, stirring frequently.
  2. Whisk in the evaporated milk (or half and half if that’s what you’re using).
  3. Whisk in the granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt until combined.
  4. Keep over medium low heat, whisking frequently, about 5 to 6 minutes until mixture comes just to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring continuously.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
  6. Serve hot fudge sauce warm over ice cream or allow to cool, transfer to a heat safe jar or container and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
two image collage showing hot fudge sauce being made in small blue saucepan.

Hot Fudge FAQs

Can this hot fudge be made in advance? Yes! In fact, when we’re having summer parties, they almost always include an ice cream bar. I like to make up a batch of this hot fudge recipe, some strawberry sauce and caramel sauce the week before to serve at the party. This sauce is good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Can you really use half and half OR evaporated milk? Yup! They are interchangeable in this recipe just like the baking chocolate and chocolate chips are. In fact, when I filmed the video, I made one version with evaporated milk and bittersweet chocolate and the other version with half and half and semi-sweet chocolate chips because I wanted to show the difference.

Turns out, it’s impossible to tell which is which, they’re both delicious! (In case you’re wondering, the jar in the front is half and half and the one in the back is with the evaporated milk.)

How do I reheat the sauce? Remove the desired amount of refrigerated hot fudge and place in a microwave safe container. Heat in 15 second increments at 50% power until warm and pourable.

hot fudge made two different ways in small canning jars.

Variations To Try

I’ve made this recipe so many different ways that I want to share a couple easy modifications you can make that won’t really impact the end result and might be easier depending on what ingredients you have on hand.

Chocolate. I like to use the bittersweet baking chocolate in this recipe because it melts so silky smooth. You can also use unsweetened chocolate or semi sweet chocolate. If you only have chocolate chips on hand, that works too! Use two-thirds cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips in place of the bittersweet chocolate.

Milk. I always have evaporated milk on hand and I love it in this recipe because it goes in at room temperature and makes this hot fudge sauce come together so quickly. If I don’t have any evaporated milk, I’ll use half and half. The same amount is needed, 1 cup.

spoonful of hot fudge sauce held above glass jar.

Special Tools Needed

Here are the tools that I recommend having for this recipe:

  • heavy bottomed sauce pan – you want a nice deep sauce pan. A heavy bottom pan will provide more even heat distribution, preventing hot spots and scorching.
  • liquid measuring cups for the evaporated milk or half and half – I use this fun beaker set and LOVE It!
  • jars to store the hot fudge sauce in – any heat-proof, airtight glass jar will work. I keep a bunch of canning jars on hand and use those most frequently when making homemade sauces like this one.

More Chocolate Recipes To Try

  1. Chocolate Pound Cake
  2. Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
  3. The BEST Chocolate Chip Pancakes
  4. Chocolate Mint Brownies
  5. Chocolate Cheesecake

How To Make Hot Fudge

homemade hot fudge recipe in glass canning jar with gold and white spoon sticking out of it.
Print Pin
5 from 54 votes

Hot Fudge Recipe

This easy Hot Fudge recipe makes rich, smooth, fudgy, decadent hot fudge sauce in just minutes! Take your ice cream game to the next level with this homemade hot fudge and you’ll never buy store bought again! So much better! Yield: 2 cups
Course Condiment, Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword hot fudge, hot fudge recipe, hot fudge sauce
Prep Time 0 minutes minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
Servings 16 servings
Calories 87kcal
Author Trish – Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 4 ounces bittersweet baking chocolate or ⅔ cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 8 ounces evaporated milk or half and half
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 6 to 8 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder depending on how chocolate-y you want the hot fudge
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Melt butter and bittersweet baking chocolate (or semisweet chocolate chips) together in a small or medium saucepan over medium low heat, stirring frequently.
    ¼ cup unsalted butter, 4 ounces bittersweet baking chocolate
  • Once the chocolate and butter have melted, slowly whisk in the evaporated milk (or half and half if that's what you're using) until combined.
    8 ounces evaporated milk
  • Whisk in the granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and salt until combined.
    ¾ cup granulated sugar, 6 to 8 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Keep over medium low heat, whisking frequently, about 5 to 6 minutes until mixture comes just to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring continuously.
  • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
    2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Serve hot fudge sauce warm over ice cream or allow to cool, transfer to a heat safe jar or container and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Video

Notes

  • Store in fridge in airtight container for up to 3 weeks.
  • To reheat, remove the desired amount of refrigerated hot fudge and place in a microwave safe container. Heat in 15 second increments at 50% power until warm and pourable. 
  • If your sauce comes out grainy, no worries, it just means it didn’t get to cook quite long enough or high enough. Pop it in a blender for a minute or two and you’ll be set.

Nutrition

Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 52mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 123IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg

By Trish - Mom On Timeout July 25, 2021 20 Minutes or Less, Chocolate, Condiments and Sauces, Dessert, No Bake, Recipes

Previous article:
« BEST Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
Next article:
Easy Homemade Limeade (Just 2 Ingredients!) »

Comments

  1. Lauren says

    May 6, 2025 at 6:45 PM

    I made this 2 weeks ago and just ate it with a spoon over a few days. It’s soooo good. I used heavy cream as that’s what I had, and salted butter, just left out the salt in recipe. I am hoping to make it again tonight!

    Reply
  2. Erika L Hardy says

    March 4, 2025 at 3:39 PM

    This is absolutely delicious!!! I used the 8 tbsp of cocoa just because I love chocolate. A keeper recipe that I will definitely make again!

    Reply
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Hi, I’m Trish!

Welcome to Mom On Timeout where I’m serving up real food for real families! Dinners, desserts, and everything in between!
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