This Classic Hot Fudge Sauce is everything a great dessert topping should be—rich, smooth, and packed with chocolate flavor. 🍫
It’s perfect for pouring over ice cream, cakes, or even fresh fruit. Made with cocoa powder and unsweetened chocolate, it has just the right sweetness and a deep, satisfying richness that’s hard to resist.🤤
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🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
- Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, rich base.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds flavor and a glossy finish.
- Light Brown Sugar: Sweetens and balances the chocolate. 👉It can be substituted with granulated sugar.
- Salt: Enhances overall flavor.
- Bittersweet Chocolate Chips: Provide the main chocolate flavor. 👉It can be substituted with semisweet chocolate chips. I used Ghirardelli.
- Unsweetened 100% Cocoa Powder: Deepens the chocolate flavor and thickens the sauce. 👉 I used Hershey’s.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds depth.
See the recipe card for quantities.
👩🍳 How to Make Classic Hot Fudge Sauce
- Heat cream, butter, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until simmering, about 1 minute.
- Remove from heat, add chocolate, and let sit for 1 minute. Whisk until smooth and fully melted.
- Whisk in cocoa powder until smooth and lump-free.
- Return to low heat, whisking constantly, and simmer until glossy and thick enough to coat a spoon, about 1 minute.
- Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and serve warm.
🫙 Make Ahead & Freezing
Make Ahead: Refrigerate the sauce in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Warm gently in the microwave, stirring every 10 seconds, until pourable. Avoid boiling.
Freezing: Not recommended; the sauce is best enjoyed fresh.
📝 Camila's Tips & Variations
- Lump-Free Sauce: Sift the cocoa powder before adding it to prevent lumps.
- Peanut Butter Flavor: Stir in 2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter for a rich, nutty twist.
- Mexican Chocolate Sauce: Add ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon and ⅛ teaspoon chipotle chili powder, adjusting to taste, for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Espresso Flavor: Mix in 1 teaspoon of instant coffee and 1 tablespoon of coffee liqueur for a bold, rich depth.
🛠️ Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
Yes, but the sauce will be thinner and less rich. For the best results, stick to heavy cream.
What type of chocolate works best for this recipe?
Bittersweet chocolate is ideal, but you can use semi-sweet or unsweetened chocolate if you adjust the sugar to taste.
How do I prevent lumps in the sauce?
Sift the cocoa powder before whisking it into the sauce to keep it smooth and lump-free.
🥗 Pair with
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📖 Recipe
Classic Hot Fudge Sauce
Ingredients
- 130 g (⅔ cup) light brown sugar or granulated sugar
- 40 g (½ cup) Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
- 45 g (¼ cup) bittersweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar (e.g., Ghirardelli or Baker’s)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter , cut into 4 pieces and chilled
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and let it simmer for about 1 minute.
- Off heat, stir in chocolate, and let sit for 1 minute. Whisk the sauce until smooth, and the chocolate is fully melted. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth, with no lumps remaining.
- Return the pan to low heat and simmer the sauce, whisking constantly, until it becomes glossy and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 1 minute.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Serve the sauce warm.
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
