With a few simple ingredients and 10 minutes, you can make Best Ever Hot Fudge Sauce. Once you make this, you will never buy store-bought again.

Dessert is about to get so much better. Make this easy hot fudge sauce and pour it over bowls of ice cream, slices of cake, and brownies. Rich, decadent, thick fudge sauce is just a few minutes away.

Hot fudge sauce being poured on brownies.

Every one of my birthday celebrations is not complete without a serving of Hot Fudge Sauce. This was the case when I was a kid and is the case now. The only difference now is I make my own from scratch instead of buying it.

So this year, like every year, I will be drenching my mom’s Oreo Ice Cream Cake with hot fudge sauce. So grateful to my friend Anna at Crunchy, Creamy, Sweet for this recipe, it’s our favorite.

In addition to ice cream cake and hot fudge sauce, we will be going to my favorite Mexican food place here in FoCo and being with my family. There is nothing better than Mexican food and ice cream drenched in hot fudge.

Recipe Highlights

  • Making homemade hot fudge sauce is so simple. Five ingredients and ten minutes to make it. That’s it.
  • Rich, thick, and so chocolatey. It is so much better than anything you can buy in a jar.
  • It keeps well for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
  • It goes with so many things or just keep it on hand so you can sneak tastes straight from the jar as I do.

Oh, and please don’t wait for a birthday to try this recipe. It is perfection and worth making as soon as possible.

A whisk with sauce on it.

Ingredients

  • Brown sugar
  • Cocoa powder
  • Butter
  • Milk
  • Vanilla extract

How do you make Hot Fudge Sauce?

In a small mixing bowl stir together brown sugar and cocoa powder, set aside.

In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add butter and milk, bring to a slow boil, and let it bubble for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add cocoa and brown sugar mixture, stirring constantly and cook for 2-3 minutes and sauce is smooth.

Immediately remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Set aside to cool, to room temp. The sauce during this time will thicken.

Serve with anything or eat straight from the jar, I have done both.

Sauce poured over a slice of cheesecake.

Different Ways to Use It

When I manage to leave some in the jar, there are a few ways we love to indulge in this amazing sauce. Here are some favorite desserts – winners with me and the kiddos especially with a generous pour of hot fudge sauce over the top.

Sauce poured over the top of brownies.

FAQs

What is the difference between hot fudge sauce and chocolate sauce?

They are both wonderful, but chocolate sauce is usually thinner and less chocolaty and rich than hot fudge. If you want a decadent, thick, rich sauce hot fudge sauce is for you.

How long does it last in the fridge?

It should keep well for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. I like to keep mine in a jar with a tight fitting lid.

Does it need to be refrigerated?

Yes, it best to keep it cold so it doesn’t go bad. If you want to warm it up, you can do this on the stove or in the microwave.

close-up shot of the sauce in a container.

For me, hot fudge sauce means birthdays and what better time to look back and reflect on everything that has happened this past year?

Reflecting on this last year, I am overwhelmed with love and gratitude and always so grateful for my husband, my five amazing kiddos, my wonderful parents, my sisters, friends, and, of course, everyone who takes time to read my blog and try my recipes.

I am grateful to have had another year on this amazing, beautiful earth.

And while there are many other things that I am grateful for and the list could go on and on. I am going to end with that I am grateful for this Best Ever Hot Fudge Sauce. It is everything I could ask for and more in a dessert.

Cheers friends, to birthdays, celebrations and hot fudge.
XOXO San

More Decadent Sauce Recipes

A slice of chocolate cheesecake topped with sauce.

Don’t forget to pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.

Best Ever Hot Fudge Sauce

Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 156 kcal
With a few simple ingredients & just 10 minutes, you’re ready to make Best Ever Hot Fudge Sauce. Once you make this, you will never buy store bought again.

Ingredients
 

  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • In a small mixing bowl stir together brown sugar and cocoa powder, set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add butter and milk, bring to a slow boil, and let it bubble for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add cocoa and brown sugar mixture, stirring constantly and cook for 2-3 minutes and sauce is smooth.
  • Immediately remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Set aside to cool, to room temp. The sauce during this time will thicken.
  • Serve with anything or eat straight from the jar, I have done both.
Calories: 156kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 11mgPotassium: 93mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 255IUCalcium: 34mgIron: 0.6mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know what you think!

This post was originally written in 2016, it has since been updated.

collage of photos of the hot fudge sauce.

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62 Comments

  1. Lots of love for my best friend, sister, and partner . Happy Birthday! Can’t wait to try the hot fudge either.

  2. Happy Birthday, San!! Mexican food and chocolate – I like the way you celebrate!! 🙂 Here’s to a fabulous year!!

  3. Oh my goodness, this is beautiful reflection of your birthday. As a mom and someone who suffers from Cystic Fibrosis, I see each birthday as a blessing and gift from God too. And I will gladly celebrate with this hot fudge sauce.

  4. This is such a great post, Sandra — I love it! You do sound like you have a lot to be grateful for, and I hope you enjoyed your birthday! 🙂

  5. Happy birthday to one of the joyous, loving persons that I know. You are a delight to be with Sandra. Thank you for sharing your recipe. Can’t wait to make it.
    I had a birthday this month too. We are Virgos together.
    Love to you…

        1. Hi Ann! Yes, it should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will thicken, but when you’re ready to use it, just pop some in a bowl and microwave for about 10 seconds until it’s hot and smooth again. Enjoy!

  6. 3 stars
    My opinion is it wasn’t the “Best Ever Hot Fudge Sauce” recipe. It wasn’t bad and I was disappointed that the recipe said serving size is 6 but my guess is 2 at best. Guess I like more sauce than the average person. I would probably make it again if needed. I’m just giving my honest opinion. Thank you for sharing your recipe.

  7. 5 stars
    Yummy! We love this recipe and it’s perfect for summer! I love making an ice cream bar for my kids and their friends! Can’t wait to make this recipe again!

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