Easy Homemade Hot Fudge – Tastes Better from Scratch

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 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!

Add Cocoa Powder: Pour the cocoa powder into the melted chocolate mixture and stir to combine. The mixture will be thick.

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.

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!

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.

I originally shared this post in December 2014. Updated December 2020 and 2022.

Recipe adapted from Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook.