Thick, rich, fudgy and deeply chocolatey – this Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce is easily the best ice cream topping in existence. And it makes the BEST chocolate shake, hot chocolate and ice chocolate milk too!
This homemade hot fudge sauce couldn’t be simpler to make, and you’ll never want to buy it from the store again!
No ice cream topping in the world compares to thick, rich, deeply chocolatey Hot Fudge Sauce. For me at least. A scoop of smooth, creamy vanilla ice cream and delicious hot fudge sauce… I dare you to name a better duo!
Here’s why you will love making this hot fudge sauce recipe.
- SUPER easy to make. Ready in 10 minutes!
- So chocolatey and fudgy. Perfect for ice cream sundaes.
- Makes the best chocolate shakes in the world.
- Great for hot chocolate or ice chocolate milk too.
Homemade hot fudge sauce has been my number one ice cream topping for as long as I can remember. Mainly because it’s so easy to make, even a kid could nail it. When my sister was little and we used to have all-night movie nights, ice cream sundaes with homemade chocolate fudge sauce were always on the menu. It’s so good that you can (and probably will) eat it straight out of the jar. But for best results, pair it with some ice cream. 🙂
I’ve made this chocolate sauce many times over the years, but this is definitely my favorite version of it.
Here’s what you need to make this easy and delicious sauce
- Corn syrup (or any invert sugar syrup)
- Brown sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Cream
- Chocolate
- Butter
I do recommend that you NOT omit any of these ingredients, because each one plays a crucial role in making this easy hot fudge sauce.
Can I make homemade hot fudge sauce with a corn syrup substitute?
You can use any sugar syrup made with invert sugar (which is a mix of glucose and fructose, the two components of sucrose – i.e. regular sugar).
This includes golden syrup, honey, or even agave syrup.
The purpose of using corn syrup (or invert sugar syrup) is to give hot fudge sauce that “elastic” or “stretchy” quality. This contributes to its fudginess too. So if corn syrup is not your jam, do use a substitute to get the same results.
Having said that, do NOT substitute corn syrup with white sugar or brown sugar. This would cause the chocolate fudge sauce to have a grainy texture or crystallize as it cools and thickens.
Can I make this fudge sauce with just the cocoa powder?
I wouldn’t recommend substituting the chocolate with more cocoa powder for this recipe. If that is what you’re looking for, it would be better to try a recipe that has been tested with just cocoa powder.
The same goes for cocoa powder. If you don’t have cocoa powder, you could in theory replace it with more chocolate, but it will change the consistency and taste for sure.
Cocoa powder adds a deep chocolate flavor that’s much needed for chocolate hot fudge sauce, while chocolate adds the fudginess in chocolate hot fudge sauce.
What other substitutions can I make?
If you don’t have whipping cream (35% fat content), you can use table cream (18%). It will result in a slightly runnier, less rich fudge sauce. I’ve done this several times before though, when I ran out of cream.
Can I make this into a vegan hot fudge sauce?
To make vegan hot fudge sauce, you will need to omit butter and cream.
So instead of butter, you can add coconut oil or a vegan butter. This ingredient adds that beautiful sheen to this chocolate sauce, so don’t skip it.
And instead of cream, use coconut cream. It will have a high fat content and be thick enough to be a substitute for the cream.
Also make sure the chocolate you use is a good quality vegan chocolate.
How to make chocolate hot fudge sauce
Heat the ingredients (except for chocolate and butter) in a saucepan until bubbly and syrupy.
Then the chocolate and butter are added, and melted into the hot sauce to make it fudgier and thicker.
That’s it. Easy peasy.
Let it cool down a little and this delicious hot fudge sauce is ready to be served (and licked clean off the bowl). It’s best served just a little warm, so if make sure to warm it up just a little bit if it’s at room temperature.
I guarantee you’ll never want to buy store-bought hot fudge sauce once you’ve tried this recipe!
One of my favorite things to do with this chocolate hot fudge sauce is to make chocolate milkshakes with it. Simply, mix some of this chocolate sauce with milk, vanilla ice cream and blend. Then top it with more ice cream and homemade hot fudge sauce, and serve! Ultimate sweet, indulgent bliss…
Chocolate Hot Fudge Sauce
Easy hot fudge sauce that's ready in 10 minutes. Perfect for ice cream sundaes as a topping, or to make the best chocolate ice cream shakes!Â
Ingredients
- â…“ cup corn syrup
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¼ cup cocoa powder sifted
- â…” cup whipping cream
- ½ tsp kosher salt or sea salt or less if that's your preference
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 7 oz of semisweet chocolate or bittersweet chocolate for a less sweet fudge sauce with a deeper chocolate flavor
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
Place the corn syrup, brown sugar, cocoa powder, cream, salt and vanilla extract in a medium-sized saucepan.
Heat over medium heat while whisking occasionally until the cocoa powder has dissolved, and you get a smooth mix.
Continue to cook the hot fudge sauce until it comes to a boil. Then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 3 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the chocolate chips and butter. Whisk to dissolve.
- Transfer the sauce into glass jars and let them cool slightly.
- Serve over ice cream while still warm.
Store in the refrigerator, but warm it up gently in the microwave (or in a water bath on the stove), before serving.
This is truly the BEST hot fudge sauce! I made two batches (regular + peppermint) for my nieces and nephews (with ice cream, sprinkles, crushed candy canes, marshmallows etc.). HUGE HIT!