Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe

Featured in Indulgent Dessert Recipes to Satisfy Any Sweet Tooth.

This homemade chocolate sauce is rich and creamy, made with butter, cream, and chocolate for an irresistible dessert topping. It’s tastier than any store-bought option.

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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 21:22:57 GMT
A spoonful of warm chocolate sauce being lifted, sitting alongside scattered chocolate chips. Pin it
A spoonful of warm chocolate sauce being lifted, sitting alongside scattered chocolate chips. | chefmelt.com

Quick Homemade Chocolate Topping

I've got to tell you about this no-fuss chocolate topping that's become my go-to dessert trick. This straightforward recipe turns out the smoothest, most indulgent chocolate sauce you'll ever taste, with stuff you probably already have at home. After whipping this up yourself, you'll never go back to those store bottles again. Nothing beats seeing folks' faces light up when this warm, shiny sauce hits their ice cream.

What Makes This No-Fuss Recipe Special

You'll fall for this homemade topping because:

  • Comes together in just a few minutes with pantry staples
  • Delivers the most decadent chocolate goodness imaginable
  • Tastes amazing on everything from sundaes to cake
  • Can be tweaked with different add-ins to suit your taste

Simple Pantry Items for Incredible Topping

  • Heavy Cream: Gives our topping that velvety texture everyone loves.
  • Corn Syrup: A small amount creates that gorgeous glossy look.
  • Brown Sugar: Brings wonderful caramel undertones to the mix.
  • Cocoa Powder: Grab quality powder for that knockout chocolate punch.
  • Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet offers the perfect sweetness balance.
  • Butter: Adds that extra richness we all crave.
  • Vanilla Extract: Just a dash makes the chocolate flavor pop.
  • Salt: A tiny bit enhances all the other tastes.

No-Fuss Preparation Method

Mix Your Foundation
Throw your cream, corn syrup, brown sugar, cocoa powder, and half the chocolate chips into your pot. Mix it all up. Don't worry if it looks a bit chunky at first. It'll smooth out as it warms.
Heat It Right
Put it over medium heat and keep stirring while it warms. When bubbles start forming, lower to medium-low and let it gently bubble for 5 minutes. Give it an occasional stir. This is when it transforms into that thick, shiny goodness.
Finish With Richness
Pull it off the heat and toss in your butter, the rest of your chocolate chips, and vanilla. Stir until everything melts together smooth as can be. You'll get this beautiful glossy mixture.
Serve Your Way
Scoop it into a nice serving dish to enjoy right away while it's all warm and gooey, or cool it down a bit. It gets thicker as it cools. Keep some warm for ice cream topping and watch everyone smile.

Tricks for Perfect Results

  • Chocolate Quality Counts: The nicer your chocolate, the tastier your sauce will turn out.
  • Watch Your Heat: Keep it at a lazy bubble to avoid scorching the chocolate.
  • Custom Touches: Mix things up with a bit of coffee or mint flavoring.
  • Smart Keeping: Pop it in a container with a good seal to maintain freshness.
A spoon drips glossy melted chocolate from a white bowl. Pin it
A spoon drips glossy melted chocolate from a white bowl. | chefmelt.com

Tasty Ways to Use It

We can't get enough of this sauce:

  • Spooned warm over a scoop of vanilla with sprinkled nuts
  • Layered on fresh-baked brownies for an amazing treat
  • Used as a fancy chocolate dip for fresh berries
  • Mixed into your shakes for extra chocolate kick

Keeping It Fresh

This stuff stays good in your fridge for up to 2 weeks

Warm it back up in quick microwave blasts or over low stovetop heat

Stash some in the freezer for up to 3 months

Cook extra now to make desserts easier later

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long will it last in the fridge?

It’ll stay good for up to two weeks if kept cold.

→ What’s the right way to warm it up again?

Heat gently in a double boiler or pop it in the microwave for a few seconds.

→ Why do you use corn syrup in this?

It ensures the sauce stays silky and without a gritty texture.

→ Can I switch out semi-sweet for milk chocolate?

Semi-sweet gives a much richer taste, so it’s recommended.

→ Will it firm up when poured over ice cream?

It thickens up but stays soft enough to easily scoop and enjoy.

→ Can I freeze it?

Freezing isn’t the best, since it changes the texture too much.

Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe

A deeply chocolatey sauce that’s thick and shiny when heated, turning stretchy and slightly chewy as it cools. Fantastic with scoops of ice cream!

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
5 Minutes
Total Time
10 Minutes

Category: Dessert Recipes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 1/3 cup packed brown sugar.
02 2/3 cup full-fat cream.
03 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder.
04 1/2 cup light golden syrup (sirop de glucose).
05 1 1/2 tablespoons salted butter.
06 3/4 cup chocolate chips, set half aside.
07 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt.
08 1 teaspoon pure vanilla essence.

Instructions

Step 01

Toss cream, syrup, brown sugar, cocoa, salt, and half of the chocolate chips into a saucepan.

Step 02

Bring the mix to a boil, lower the heat, and let it softly bubble for about 5 minutes.

Step 03

Switch off the stove and take the pan away from the burner.

Step 04

Stir in the leftover chocolate chips, butter, and the vanilla extract.

Step 05

Enjoy it warm or give it time to chill before serving.

Notes

  1. Can be kept in the fridge for two weeks.
  2. Warm up gently before using if chilled.
  3. Gets thicker when it cools.
  4. Way tastier than the store-bought version.

Tools You'll Need

  • A small pot.
  • A whisk for mixing.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cream, butter, and chocolate).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 274
  • Total Fat: 14 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 39 g
  • Protein: 2 g