Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (2024)

This easy, hot fudge sauce recipe tastes just like the old fashioned sundae topping of your childhood, but it’s made with coconut milk so it’s dairy free and vegan. It’s creamy, gooey and full of chocolate flavor. Use it with your favorite toppings for an indulgent ice cream sundae treat.

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Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (1)

A sweeter birthday celebration

Today is my birthday (and my twin sister’s birthday too!). This year, we’ve decided celebrate it with an ice cream sundae bar.

It’s perfect for celebrating our birthday as moms with little kids. We get an indulgent treat, the kids get to have a ton of fun creating their own sundaes, and I don’t even have to make my own birthday cake (like I did last year). It’s a win-win-win in my opinion.

And, thanks to this hot fudge sauce and a few strategic topping choices, I was able to make this birthday celebration even sweeter by creating an ice cream sundae bar that that everyone can enjoy.

Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (2)

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Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (3)

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own sundae bar:

Start with ice cream. For our sundae bar, I went with birthday cake, cherry fudge, and chocolate. You can even grab some of their regular ice cream for those who aren’t eating dairy free.

Next, choose your toppings. I decided to keep all of mine dairy free so there wouldn’t be any confusion, but you can easily separate or label if there’s something you want to include that isn’t dairy free. As always, make sure you read the labels.

An ice cream sundae bar wouldn’t be complete without hot fudge sauce. It’s a nostalgia thing for me, and the warm, gooey texture can’t be beat.

Since there’s obviously nothing dairy free on the market, I decided to let this be the one topping I would make from scratch.

Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (4)

Why I love this hot fudge sauce

When I decided to make hot fudge sauce, I knew I didn’t just want a dairy free alternative. I wanted to make something that would take me back to my childhood. I imagined a warm, gooey hot fudge sauce that sticks to your cold spoon and gets thicker when it hits cold ice cream.

What is hot fudge made of? Since traditional hot fudge sauce uses heavy cream, I replaced that with creamy, canned coconut milk and I decided to skip the butter all together. To replace that buttery flavor, I opted for brown sugar instead of white. The results were nothing short of what I had imagined, and I still haven’t gotten over how great the hot fudge sauce turned out.

I’m already imagining different ways to use it, and I have quite a few ideas in mind, including topping off this grasshopper pie and my favorite turtle sundae.

Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (5)

Here’s what we chose:

  • Rainbow sprinkles
  • Chopped peanuts
  • Maraschino cherries
  • Chocolate chips
  • Shredded coconut
  • Gummy bears
  • Angel food cake
  • Chocolate chip cookie pieces
  • Crushed pineapple
  • Hot fudge sauce
  • Salted caramel sauce
  • Vegan whipped topping

You’ll also need bowls to serve your toppings and something to serve your ice cream in. I decided to go with mugs. We always ate our ice cream from mugs when we were kids so I thought it would be fun to do as adults. They also have built in handles so they’re super kid friendly.

Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (6)

How to make hot fudge sauce

Mix the ingredientsin a large pot and put it on the stove over medium heat. Stir the ingredients as the chocolate melts, until the sauce is smooth. You may need to use a whisk to get the sauce super smooth.

Let the sauce cool. Remove the pot of sauce from the stove and let it cool for a few minutes before transferring it to a container. I store ours in a mason jar, but you could put it right into your serving dish if you want. Just make sure the container is microwave safe so you can warm it up before serving.

Can you reheat hot fudge sauce? Yes. In fact, if you’re making this recipe ahead of time, you’ll want to reheat the hot fudge sauce before serving it. You want to serve it warm, but not hot. I recommend popping it into the microwave for about 30 – 45 seconds. You could also keep it warm in a small slow cooker or electric sauce warmer.

Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (7)

FAQs about hot fudge sauce

What’s the difference between hot fudge and chocolate sauce?The main difference between the two sauces is the texture. Hot fudge sauce tends to be thicker due to the fat content of ingredients like cream or butter (or in this case coconut milk), while chocolate sauce is thinner because it’s more of a water/sugar based syrup.

How long does hot fudge last in the refrigerator?This recipe should last in the fridge for about 2 weeks, but use your best judgment. If it smells or looks funny, it’s time to toss it.

Can hot fudge sauce be frozen?Yes, you can definitely freeze hot fudge sauce, but since this recipe is made with coconut milk, you may see some separation when you thaw it. If that’s the case, just whisk it back together when reheating.

Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (8)

More birthday friendly treats:

  • One layer cake with chocolate frosting
  • Vanilla cupcakes
  • 1234 cake

Even more chocolate recipes:

  • Chocolate pudding
  • Olive oil brownies
  • Chocolate chocolate chip cookies
  • Dairy free hot chocolate
  • Microwave fudge

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Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (9)

Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe

★★★★★5 from 3 reviews
Print Recipe

This easy, hot fudge sauce recipe tastes just like the old fashioned sundae topping of your childhood, but it’s made with coconut milk so it’s dairy free and vegan. It’s creamy, gooey and full of chocolate flavor. Use it with your favorite toppings for an indulgent ice cream sundae treat.

  • Author: Melissa Belanger
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: about 2 cups 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2/3 cup canned coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup corn syrup
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Combine ingredients in a large saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Heat the ingredients, stirring frequently, until chocolate chips have melted and sauce is smooth.
  3. Remove from heat and transfer to a container. Serve warm or refrigerate until ready to use.
  4. To reheat: microwave for 30 – 45 second intervals, until warm (but not hot).

Notes

  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
  • Calories: 119
  • Sugar: 17 g
  • Sodium: 8 mg
  • Fat: 5.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18.9 g
  • Fiber: 1.3 g
  • Protein: 1.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Keywords: hot fudge sauce, hot fudge recipe, hot fudge sauce recipe, vegan hot fudge sauce, dairy free fudge sauce

Published: August 23, 2019. Updated: August 30, 2023.

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. I will never recommend a product I don’t use or trust.

Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is hot fudge sauce made of? ›

Hot Fudge Recipe

In a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, bring the cream, syrup, brown sugar, cocoa powder, salt and half of the chocolate to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low or low (enough to maintain a low simmer), and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Why is my homemade hot fudge sauce grainy? ›

Graining can be caused by stirring the fudge mixture during the cooling process or not adding enough fluid to dissolve the sugar. The trick to fixing graininess is to melt the sugar crystals to give them another chance at setting properly.

What's the difference between hot fudge and fudge? ›

Hot fudge is made by boiling together cream, sugar, chocolate, and sometimes butter—the traditional ingredients for fudge—into what is essentially just an undercooked, unset version of the confection.

What makes hot fudge taste different? ›

Hot fudge is the thickest and richest

It's the addition of heavy cream (in place of water or milk) and butter that creates hot fudge. Cream and butter give hot fudge its lush texture, flavor complexity, and dense richness. In addition to cocoa, chunks of chocolate are sometimes added for even more chocolatey goodness.

What are the ingredients in Smuckers hot fudge sauce? ›

Corn Syrup, Nonfat Milk, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Sugar, Soybean Oil, Cocoa Processed With Alkali And Cocoa, Contains 2% Or Less Of: Fully Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Mono And Diglycerides, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Sodium Citrate, Vanillin (artificial Flavor).

Why did my hot fudge sauce separate? ›

If the butter gets too hot, it can separate, causing the fudge to become oily on top. This is easy to prevent by monitoring the temperature with a candy thermometer, but separated fudge can also be fixed. To fix oily, hard or grainy fudge, scoop the fudge back into a pot with about a cup of water.

Why is fudge so hard to make? ›

Conversely, if the cooking time is too brief and there is not enough evaporation, too much water will remain and the fudge will be too soft. A temperature of 112°C to 114°C (234°F to 237°F) must be maintained. This will ensure the fudge has the ideal concentration of water and sugar. Fudge is difficult to make.

How do you make homemade hot sauce smooth? ›

The more liquid you incorporate—whether it's brine, vinegar, or soy sauce—the thinner your sauce will be. For a smoother texture, prolonged blending is your best bet. If you want your sauce even smoother, then straining that blended sauce is an even better option.

What went wrong with my 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.

Why is hot fudge so good? ›

In fact, hot fudge sauce is just a fudge that never sets! Cream or milk, sugar, and butter are slowly boiled down until slightly thickened and light caramel-colored. This boiling-down process not only gives the sauce it's great gooey texture, but also contributes that special “fudgey” taste to the chocolate.

Does hot fudge melt ice cream? ›

Hot fudge is, well, hot!

This is not a genius observation by any means, but hot fudge starts melting the ice cream way too quickly, turning the sundae into a soupy mess. That nice contrast of warm and cold is gone.

Why is fudge called fudge? ›

The story goes, a baker was trying to make chocolate caramels. However, they didn't get the recipe quite right. When the candy came out as the creamy treat we know today, they said, “Oh, fudge!” and that's how the candy got its name. The first recorded mention of fudge came from 1888.

How do you 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. Double Cream: Stirring in a splash of double cream can instantly enrich and thicken your drink, giving it a velvety texture.

Why does hot fudge get hard when it cools? ›

Corn syrup is really the secret ingredient to making the best hot fudge, because without it, the chocolate and butter would harden up as the sauce cools. If you prefer not to use corn syrup, try golden syrup, which is made from cane sugar and works just as well.

What happens if you don't stir fudge? ›

By letting the fudge cool without stirring, you avoid creating seed crystals. Stirring would help sucrose molecules "find" one another and start forming crystals. Stirring also introduces air, dust, and small dried bits from the walls of the saucepan—all potential seeds for crystal formation.

Is hot fudge and chocolate syrup the same? ›

Ingredients: Hot fudge sauce is typically made with chocolate, sugar, butter, and cream or milk, while chocolate syrup is made with cocoa powder, sugar, and water or milk. Consistency: Hot fudge sauce has a thicker and creamier consistency than chocolate syrup, which tends to be thinner and more liquidy.

What is the main ingredient in Louisiana hot sauce? ›

The Original Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce

Made from aged hot peppers and vinegar, this sauce is anything but basic!

How does hot fudge taste? ›

It's super-duper dark and rich with a high quality cocoa flavor. It almost tastes like homemade hot cocoa before you add the milk. It's so close to being the best chocolate sauce, but since you absolutely have to heat it up in order to use it as a topping, I'm keeping it in the two slot.

What is the sauce called that is made from chiles and chocolate? ›

Mole sauce is a rich and savoury traditional Mexican sauce made of hot chiles and rich chocolate. It's cooked slowly and flavoured with fresh herbs and spices. It goes well with chicken or with enchiladas.

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