Best Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe
Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe – It takes only 6 ingredients and less than 10 minutes to make the best, most thick, rich, and delicious chocolate fudge sauce from scratch!
Why We Love This Recipe
Warm, thick, and decadent chocolate fudge sauce is the perfect complement to any bowl of ice cream or slice of pound cake. You can buy a decent version in a jar at the grocery store… But with very little effort you can make this Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce recipe without cream and customize it to your taste!
We found many different methods of making hot fudge sauce online, but feel the very best and easiest method is made with just 6 ingredients, including cocoa powder. After testing various methods, we determined the varieties made with chocolate chips always taste like ganache or chocolate sauce rather than traditional hot fudge sauce, which has a slightly roasted flavor from the use of cocoa powder.
Here we are providing our foolproof best-tasting hot fudge sauce with the fewest possible ingredients. If you don’t happen to have cocoa powder on hand (but have chocolate chips) we’ve also provided our best alternative chocolate sauce. It’s absolutely delicious, but is definitively not hot fudge sauce.
Whichever set of ingredients you choose to use, this fabulous fudge sauce is easy to make on the stovetop or the microwave in less than 10 minutes.
Ingredients You Need
To make our favorite (BEST) hot fudge sauce –
- Sweetened condensed milk – for that perfect thick, fudgy consistency
- Cocoa powder – unsweetened (dutch-process)
- Butter – unsalted
- Milk – whole fat or 2%, not skim
- Vanilla extract – balances the sweetness of the condensed milk
- Salt – just a pinch
Alternative (and still great) recipe –
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Chocolate chips – any variety (milk chocolate, semi-sweet, or bittersweet chocolate)
- Butter
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
How to Make Hot Fudge Sauce with Cocoa Powder
Sift the cocoa powder to make sure there are absolutely no clumps. Then pour the cocoa powder into a small saucepot or microwave-safe bowl.
Add in the sweetened condensed milk, butter, and a pinch of salt.
If using the stovetop method, set the pot over medium heat to medium-low heat and stir the contents until the butter is fully melted and the cocoa powder is completely combined. The sauce should be very smooth, but thick. Mix in the vanilla extract and then thin out the hot fudge sauce by adding ¼ – ½ cup of milk. Stir to your desired consistency and turn off the heat.
Get the Complete (Printable) Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe Below. Enjoy!
If using the microwave method, place the microwave-safe bowl in the microwave and set it on high for 1 minute. Mix the ingredients and microwave again in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until the mixture is very smooth. Then, stir in the vanilla extract, and thin out the sauce by adding ¼ – ½ cup of milk to reach your desired consistency.
Use immediately while warm, or transfer the hot fudge sauce to a glass storage container for later.
Serving Suggestions
The sauce will thicken when cool, so re-warm the hot fudge sauce on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
Slater the warm sauce on a thick slice of pound cake or other baked treat. And, of course, it is a must-have topping for ice cream sundaes! Try it with some of our favorite homemade ice cream recipes:
- Homemade Vanilla
- No-Churn Mocha Mint Chip (happens to be vegan!)
- Whiskey and Spiced Walnut
- Lavender Dark Chocolate Chip
- Gelato with Caramel and Chocolate Shavings
For a true sundae experience, add other classic toppings like colorful sprinkles, chopped nuts, crushed cookies, Homemade Cookie Dough chunks, whipped cream… And a cherry on top!
You can even use scratch-made chocolate fudge sauce to make other recipes like Frozen Hot Chocolate drinks, Chocolate Banoffee Pie, and everyone’s favorite Buster Bar Ice Cream Cake!
Frequently Asked Questions
As the name suggests, hot fudge is thick and rich. It is warmed before using, so the consistency goes from nearly solid to pourable. Chocolate sauce is thin and does not typically solidify. It’s best to use at room temperature or even cold from the fridge.
The key to a perfect smooth sauce is to sift the cocoa powder first.
Hot fudge sauce can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Scoop any amount you want into a small microwave-safe dish. Heat at 50% power in short bursts of 5 seconds, stirring between each burst, until warm and pourable. Alternatively, you can reheat the fudge sauce on the stovetop in a small saucepan over low heat. (Do not boil.)
Looking for More Sweet Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
- Nutella Chocolate Fondue
- Salted Caramel Sauce
- Warm Blueberry Sauce
- Easy Freezer Jam
- Perfect Homemade Lemon Curd
Best Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ – ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Sift the cocoa powder to make sure there are absolutely no clumps. Then pour the cocoa powder into a small saucepot, or microwave-safe bowl.
- Add in the sweetened condensed milk, butter, and a pinch of salt.
- If using the stovetop method, set the pot over medium-low heat and stir the contents until the butter is fully melted and the cocoa powder is completely combined. The sauce should be very smooth, but thick. Mix in the vanilla extract and then thin out the hot fudge sauce by adding ¼ – ½ cup of milk. Stir to your desired consistency and turn off the heat.
- If using the microwave method, place the microwave-safe bowl in the microwave and set on high for 1 minute. Mix the ingredients and microwave again in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until the mixture is very smooth. Then, stir in the vanilla extract, and thin out the sauce by adding ¼ – ½ cup of milk to reach your desired consistency.
Notes
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup chocolate chips (any variety)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Nutrition
Making this recipe? Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!
There is nothing better than homemade hot fudge!! We love this on ice cream!! I always try to have some in the fridge!
Hot fudge is so decadent- I couldn’t believe it could be made in the microwave! This came together so nicely. It really took our ice cream night to the next level!
Is there anything better than homemade hot fudge? I am obsessed with this recipe, thank you thank you!
I had no just how easy this was to make! i’m going to start saving so much making this from scratch! thank you so much for sharing