Old fashioned hot fudge sauce recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients like Hershey’s cocoa powder, sugar, butter, and milk. Drizzle this homemade, thick and chewy hot fudge over an ice cream sundae for the perfect dessert!
Best Hot Fudge Sauce recipe
I have been making this old fashioned hot fudge sauce for years. Actually, now that I think about it, decades. Yikes. 😳
Growing up, my mom didn’t micromanage my sisters and I in the kitchen (probably too exhausted from cleaning up after us). Whenever the fancy struck for a sweet treat (daily), we would be left on our own to make it.
So, if you need verification for how easy this hot fudge sauce recipe is, evidently a 10 year old can make it. Even better, without supervision!
I’m still devoted to this recipe 30 years later. I love the way the warm, thick hot fudge becomes chewy once it hits the cold vanilla ice cream. In my book, that is how hot fudge should taste, or it’s just chocolate syrup!
old fashioned Hot Fudge Sauce ingredients
This recipe also doesn’t require special ingredients, like heavy cream, evaporated milk, or speciality baking chocolate. In fact, I bet you have everything you need to make the best hot fudge sauce right in your kitchen!
- Cocoa Powder – Use regular unsweetened baking cocoa or dutch processed cocoa powder.
- Milk – Anything you have in the fridge, or substitute non-dairy milk
- Unsalted Butter
- Granulated Sugar
- Light Corn Syrup – The magic ingredient that gives this recipe a gooey, thick, slightly chewy texture
- Vanilla extract
How to Make Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe
- In a saucepan over medium heat combine sugar, butter, cocoa powder, corn syrup, and milk. Stir to combine until butter is melted and sauce is smooth.
- Continue stirring and bring to boil. Reduce to a simmer, stirring constantly, for 1 minute, into a smooth, glossy sauce.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Cool slightly before serving over a scoop of ice cream, stirring occasionally.
Hot Fudge with Cocoa Powder
It’s possible to make a thick hot fudge sauce without chocolate chips! This recipe still has that essential dark chocolate flavor without using semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate.
Unsweetened cocoa powder, such as Hershey’s Baking Cocoa, or Dutch processed cocoa powder may be used. Dutch cocoa gives a stronger chocolate flavor with less acidity.
Does Hot Fudge sauce need to be refrigerated?
Store bought hot fudge needs to be refrigerated after opening. Once this homemade recipe has cooled completely, transfer to an airtight container, like a mason jar. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.
How Long Does Hot Fudge Last?
Leftover hot fudge will stay good for 1-2 months in refrigerator. To be honest, I have kept hot fudge a lot longer and still used it. It still tastes fine, but the texture may become slightly grainer the longer it is stored.
It may also be frozen. Make sure it has cooled completely then transfer to ziplock freezer bags. Thaw in the refrigerator then reheat on the stove over medium-low heat.
Alternatively, spoon the chocolate sauce to a microwave safe bowl and warm in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
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step-by-step web story instructions for this recipe!
How to Reheat Hot Fudge
When reheating chocolate sauce transfer the serving amount to a small microwave safe bowl and reheat for 10-15 seconds. It doesn’t take long so watch carefully!
It may also be reheated in a sauce pan. Warm on low heat, stirring constantly, until warmed and smooth.
What to do with Hot Fudge Sauce
What doesn’t taste better with chocolate?? Add homemade chocolate sauce to amp up any of these glorious desserts!
- Ice cream sundaes (even better, a hot fudge brownie sundae!)
- Cheesecake topping
- Swirl into milk shakes
- Use a dipping sauce for fondue or Dessert Boards
- Parfaits with ice cream or mousse
- Layer in ice cream cakes, like Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cake
- Mix into bar cookies, like Hot Fudge Peanut Butter Bars
Adding Peanut Butter
If you are a peanut butter chocolate enthusiast, try Peanut Butter Hot Fudge sauce! Stir in 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter into the chocolate sauce after cooking.
More chocolate Dessert recipes
- Chocolate Chess Pie
- Chocolate Whipped Cream
- Ding Dong Cake
- Chocolate Bark
- Buckeye Turtle Brownies
- Chocolate Granola
SAVE THIS Easy Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARD!
Let’s be friends on Pinterest! I’m always sharing great recipes!
Old Fahsioned Hot Fudge Sauce
Equipment Needed
Ingredients
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- ¼ cup milk, or dairy-free milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- optional: ¼ cup creamy peanut butter for peanut butter hot fudge sauce
Instructions
- In a small saucepan place the sugar, butter, cocoa powder, corn syrup, and milk. Heat over medium-low, stirring to combine until butter is melted and sauce is smooth.
- Continue stirring as mixture comes to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and optional peanut butter until smooth.
- Cool slightly before serving over ice cream. Makes one heaping cup or 9 – 2 tablespoon servings.
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Recipe Notes
Storing Homemade Hot Fudge
Leftover hot fudge will stay good for 1-2 months in refrigerator in an airtight container, like a lidded jar. Hot fudge sauce may also be frozen. Make sure it has cooled completely then transfer to ziplock freezer bags. Thaw in the refrigerator, then reheat on the stove.Reheating Hot Fudge
When reheating chocolate sauce transfer the serving amount to a small microwave safe bowl and reheat for 10-15 seconds. It doesn’t take long so watch carefully! It may also be reheated in a saucepan. Warm on low heat, stirring constantly, until warmed and smooth.Nutrition
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