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This all-time favorite hot fudge sauce recipe is a family favorite for pouring on your sweet treats. All you need is 4 ingredients!
We love to serve this hot fudge sauce recipe on Vanilla Ice Cream, Funnel Cakes, and even fruit! It’s irresistible in every sense of the word and you’ll find yourself trying not to eat it straight from the jar!
Homemade Chocolate Sauce
I am SOOO excited to share this next sauce with you guys today!
Let’s just say that it’s one the hubby begs me to make because he’ll eat it straight from the jar ALL BY ITSELF (no joke!!)
This hot fudge sauce recipe is a simple but delicious recipe that is good on ANY dessert. We use it on ice cream sundaes and especially on funnel cakes. Spoon the mixture and drizzle on croissants, brownies, ice cream cakes, waffles, pancakes, or any favorite desserts. It takes minutes to put together and is seriously the best topping you’ll ever make!
I also love that this makes a simple and inexpensive gift idea. Just put it in a cute mason jar with a ribbon around the top, and I promise the recipient will love you forever.
How to Make Hot Fudge
Homemade hot fudge sauce is ready in minutes and only requires 4 ingredients!
COOK. Combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook 8 minutes, stirring constantly. Enjoy on just about anything!!
Recipe Tips
If you give this hot fudge sauce as a gift be sure to specify that it needs to be refrigerated, especially when it is stored in a glass jar.
Thicken sauce. If you follow the instructions correctly the chocolate fudge sauce should not turn out runny and it thickens up as it cools down.
To make it even thicker even after it has cooled then try adding a little more powdered sugar to it. You will need to reheat it as you add it in.
Thinner sauce. If you find that your sauce is too thick for your liking then heat it up and add a little more evaporated milk or butter to the sauce.
Serve with Ice Cream, Homemade Brownies, Funnel Cakes, Fruit and more!
Storing Tips
Make ahead of time. Because this sauce stores so well it can easily be made ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container or jar and place it in the fridge. Rewarm slowly before serving.
STORE. Pour the easy hot fudge sauce into a glass jar or airtight container and seal it with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
To reheat. Use the microwave or stovetop to warm up the sauce. Just be careful that you do not overheat and burn it.
FREEZE this best hot fudge sauce for later. To freeze, pour the sauce into a jar or a freezer-safe container. Let it cool completely. This may take a few hours, you can put it in the fridge to make it cool faster. Then seal the jar or container with a lid and freeze for 6-12 months.
Recipe FAQ
I don’t recommend canning your fudge sauce. If you are wanting to store it for later, it is best stored frozen.
This sauce can be served hot or cold. It can be reheated on the stove or in the microwave just be sure to heat it slowly so it doesn’t burn. Also, you can reheat it as many times as you’d like, it shouldn’t change the texture or taste of the sauce.
Chocolate sauce is thinner and typically uses sugar, water, and corn syrup whereas fudge sauce is much thicker and uses heavier cream and butter.
For More Sauces, Check Out:
Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- ½ cup butter
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to boil and cook 8 minutes, stirring constantly. Enjoy on just about anything!!
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I made this recipe for the second time and I can’t imagine ever making anything but! This is by far the easiest, cheapest and most delicious hot fudge sauce I have ever tasted! In my life…..and it’s been a long one. Thank you, Krystan. And my grandchildren thank you also.
Thank you! I think this sauce will be a delight to make and enjoy! I’m looking forward to it!
I’ve made this cake before! Delicious and OMGosh the chocolate sauce is a absolute keeper!
Can this be frozen?
Yes!
Can you use milk or dark chocolate in place of semi sweet chips????
Yes you could!
I just love your recipes and so excited to make your fudge sauce. I was wondering if you might have took recipe for canning chocolate/hot fudge sauce. I would love to make some for Christmas gifts that friends can store in their food storage. Thank you
I have made homemade hot fudge sauce for years but this is the best one as well as the easiest! I have this recipe memorized and it is a staple in my fridge. The flavor is over the top! You will just want to grab a spoon and dive in!
Oh I love that! It makes me so happy to hear!!
How much does this make? 16 servings, but what size?
About 2 Tbsp
how would this be with a butter substitute such as cant believe its not butter , i have made it the way it is written and was great but i am looking to reduce the saturated fat thanks tom
You could certainly try it! I haven’t ever made it with anything but butter, but if you do, you’ll have to let us know how it turns out.
Okay, desserts for Memorial Day are lined-up! For the healthier eaters, we will do fruit kabobs-pretty and tasty. For the “majority” of us, this beautiful and mouth-watering hot fudge sauce, strawberry sauce and caramel sauce-YES! You guessed it-“Make Your Own” Sundaes! We may do dessert first this year!!
Ooh I like the idea of that! 😉
Can this be frozen to give as a gift? How long will it keep in freezer? Or can it be canned?
Thanks.
Yes, it can be frozen. To freeze, pour the sauce into a jar or a freezer-safe container. Let it cool completely. This may take a few hours, but you can put it in the fridge to make it cool faster. Then seal the jar or container with a lid and freeze for 6-12 months.
I make this, but after rolling boil of only three minutes I remove from heat and add 1/4 cup Kalhua and teaspoon of vanilla. Can also use Amaretto, cream de mint.
Someone mentioned gifts, it is a good gift.
Can I water bath can hot fudge sauce to give as Xmas gifts??
Great sauce however not sure what purpose the butter serves in this recipe. I’ve made it with and without and could not detect any difference. I also had to use regular sugar once when I didn’t have any powdered sugar and it was equally as good.
That’s great to know! Thanks for sharing what you’ve tried.
This is by far my favorite fudge topping. It is so rich and I love making hot fudge cakes with it. Definitely a keeper!!
Yay! I’m so glad you love the fudge sauce!
Looks delicious! Do I put the whole glass jar of chocolate sauce in the microwave to reheat or should I transfer the sauce to a glass bowl?
Either way! If you are just heating up some of it, you can transfer it to a bowl.
The best! I use for drip cakes. Make, refridge, just slightly heat to thin , drip over sides of cake, refridge cake for a few until it sets a bit. Never hardens so easy to cut cakes and is so good!!!
I love that idea! So glad you enjoy the hot fudge sauce!
Is this unsalted or salted butter?
I usually use unsalted so I can control the amount of salt in the recipes.
So yummilicious
This is the most delicious fudge sauce, been making this one and this one only for years now!
I always refer back to this recipe for homemade hot fudge. So yummy!
Hi, I have made this several times. The first time or two, it came out just right, but the last few times have been troublesome. The powdered sugar seems to be clumping into tiny little balls that are kind of chewy…or maybe it’s the condensed milk. And the butter seems to be splitting somewhat making it kind of greasy. It still tastes really good, but not doesn’t look so great and wouldn’t want to gift it to anyone. Have you every had any problems like these? Any suggestions or advice? Thank you!
Sorry to hear you are having troubles with the sauce lately. It sounds like it might need to be whisked a bit faster or possibly the heat is too high when melting everything?
Not condensed milk, EVAPORATED milk!
Does this sauce need to be refrigerated?
Yes, once it’s made it can be refrigerated for a month. It can also be frozen for 6-12.
This looks so good! Does this harden or does it stay soft and pourable?
Ooh this sauce is so delicious! It stays soft. It will thicken a little if you store it in the fridge but thins out again if reheated. However, it doesn’t harden like a Hershey’s magic shell sauce does.
The saus is delicous but a little bit thick, any suggestion on how I can make it a bit thinner?
Yes, just add a little more evaporated milk until it is the consistency you prefer.
This is by far the BEST hot fudge sauce I’ve ever eaten. This will definitely be great for Christmas gifts. Besides ice-cream what else could I top with this sauce?
Thank you!! Honestly, you could put it on any dessert! 😉 Some of my favorites are brownies, funnel cakes, skillet chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake, and even fresh fruit! It’s great for dipping too… pretzels, marshmallows, graham crackers. You name it!
This is to die for! We made sundaes the other day and this was definitely a hit! 😍
I made this for Christmas for all my siblings and got RAVE REVIEWS!! It’s fun to package up with sprinkles and ice cream for a nice gift. (But give it quickly before the ice cream melts!) So yummy too!
This makes amazing neighbor gifts for Christmas! Quick, simple, delicious!
This was so good and easy to make!
Making this for a family dessert night.. so excited to try it!
How much does this recipe make?
My dad made great fudge sauce. I hope this is as good.
wondering if you could use white dark chocolate chips instead of semi sweet?
You sure could 😉
looks really good , also can this be made with milk chocolate chips.
Thanks!! It sure could 🙂 Enjoy!!
I have made this for years. I make a crust of oreo’s and butter, top with 1/2 gal softened vanilla ice cream, top that with peanuts or pecans or no nuts (whatever I have) then put this on top once it is cooled. Called Buster bar dessert. Yummy!
Mmmm…that sounds delicious! Thank you!
Looks yummy. Going to try.
It is!! Hope you like it!
Powder sugar is that icing sugar please
Not sure what you are asking, but powdered sugar is a white, sweet, powdered sugar. Makes the fudge sauce nice & creamy.
Hi, im eager to try this recipe. But we dont get evaporated milk where i lIve. Can i replace it With sweetened condensed milk? How much less sugar should i add in this case?
Soooooo easy and sooooo yummy!!! All I had was milk chocolate chips, but it was still super delicious!!
That works too! Glad you liked it 🙂 Thank you!
Hi, can the evaporated milk be SUBSTITUTED with SWEETENED condeNsed milk? We dont get UNSWEETENED evaporated milk where i live.
I have not personally tried, so I can’t say the results will be the same.
Alright. Ill give it a try and see how it turns out 🙂
Let me know what you think 🙂
this was excellent, the only change i made was to add 1/4 cup of chocolate chips to make it a full cup. it makes the recipe easier to remember – 1 cup,1 stick,1 can, and 2 cups…..
thanks for sharing your recipe.
You are so welcome!! More chocolate never hurts! 🙂 Thanks!
I don’t always have fudge sauce on hand, but I do always have the ingredients for this recipe. Thanks for sharing and perfect on top of ice cream.
Our gO to hot fudge sauce! Simple and the best.
This looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try this one ice cream!
Wow, this fudge is the best! Forget the chocolate syrup, this is the only chocolate you need!
Wow, this was amazing! Thank you so much for sharing!
We don’t have any left this time, but next time I’ll freeze some for later…it’s so good!
This is the only hot fudge sauce we use! We love it on ice cream & so many desserts!
Can i use salted butter?
You sure could. Hope you liked it, as much as we do 🙂
Easy, peasy and wonderfully good!
Yay! Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you for sharing that!
Hi! This sOunds awesome and i Cant Wait to make it. Do you keep the leftovers in the fridge or in a cupboard? Thanks!
I keep it in a jar in the fridge 🙂 Hope you try it!! It’s so good!
Hi i tried making this and it came out as just a big clump. Its not Creamy or runny so i cant driZzle it. Anyone else Have this problem??
Maybe, you need a little more evaporated milk. Did you constantly stir? Maybe, it burned a little?
This is heaven in a jAr, i have Just made it in preperation for christmas but i cant stop diPping into it. Im totally with your husband on this one! I have a feeling i will be making a second batch brfore christmas.
This will be perfect With our christMas Pavalova, ice cream and summer Berries here in sunny Queensland australia.
Thanks a million for Sharing the recipe.
You are so welcome!! And, yes, it goes too fast! I am so glad you tried it & love it!
This stuff is AMAZING and so easy to make! I have made it twice and both times, it came out perfect. Probably the biggest thing is to be careful of the heat and to keep stirring! Only thing I do different is add some vanilla because vanilla makes everything taste better. This is definitely my go-to for fudge sauce. Never need to buy it again. This makes one 12-oz and one 8-oz canning jar and it lasts a long time. I do wonder if there is a low-sugar option with stevia or something since I would really like to cut down on sugar. Please reply if you have an answer.
Definitely my go-to! I have not tried using stevia, but I am sure you could. I am sure it would still be great. Thank you!
How long does your chocolate fudge sauce last? Can it be stored at room temperature in a mason jar? Thinking it would make a nice favor for a shower.
Thanks
After I make it, I like to keep it in the fridge. I’ve had it a couple weeks in there 🙂 You can keep it out if it’s for a shower, but to store it, I’d keep in the fridge.
I’ve been making this for years. It is delicious and everyone loves it! The best fudge sauce you’ll ever have! Thanks for posting!
Thank you for sharing that! We love this recipe!
This is the same as my grandma’s hot fudge recipe—it really is the best ever!! The only thing that is different is she adds a tsp of vanilla after you take it off the stove. I feel it makes a difference. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Glad to share 🙂 Vanilla adds so much goodness!
Hi,
Love the idea of how easy this recipe is. How long does the fudge sauce keep for, though? Just asking to know if it can be made a couple of says in advance or, the night before or on the day. Many thanks,
Michy.xx
Sorry hadn’t seen the message above. Thank you for sharing your recipe.xx
Do you need to refrigerate this after it is mad and also how long will it last if not eaten right away ?
I would. We use it for up to a couple weeks, as long as it’s been in the fridge. Hope that helps!
Hello! I just made the chocolate sauce and was wondering how you store it? Room temperature or fridge ?
Thank you
I stick it in a jar and put in the fridge. You can then re-heat it. Hope that helps 🙂
So easy and yummy! I need more of this in my life!
Haha!!! Don’t we all 🙂 Thanks so much!
I follow all your stuff now! Yum❤️ lots of recipes are so much fun to make with my school age kids!
Great..thank you!!! I love being in the kitchen with my kids! I hope you all have fun and find some recipes you love:)
Does it have to be heated each time you use it, after it’s been in the fridge?
Great recipe! I had been wanting to make my own fudge sauce for some time. I nearly always have to have chocolate on my ice cream and it doesn’t seem to matter what flavor of ice cream either.
I stopped buying the pre-made store stuff a while back. Most of it these days is like a lot of things and has no flavor, a laundry list of ingredients and an unnatural smoothness.
I love that the ingredients are things that I nearly always have in my pantry. I did add one little square of unsweetened Baker’s chocolate. It wasn’t quite chocolaty enough for me without it. LOL!!!
It filled 3 small jelly canning jars so I can share with my adult children. They will be so happy.
Very yummy!!! Very Easy!!! Thanks for sharing.
This fudge sauce is PERFECT! I made it over the summer for a cheesecake bar, and it was a total hit! It made so much that had plenty left over, which we put over waffle and ice cream sundaes with homemade whipped cream. And I LOVE how easy it is; it’s become my go-to chocolate sauce for any occasion! My stepmother requested a white cake with vanilla buttercream for her birthday, and my dad is a chocolate junkie so he made a joke about putting chocolate sauce on his slice. So when I’m done making the cake, I’ll be making this to bring along with it, and I know he’ll be WAY happier than with some from a squeeze bottle! 🙂 Thanks for the fab recipe!!
How do you store it? Refrigerate or leave out?
I just made this recipe today…I got it off of pinterest. This is the best hot fudge recipe I have ever made. It is very easy to make and the ingredients are all staples in my kitchen pantry. I am someone who makes almost everything from scratch. This is a keeper !
It’s our favorite too!! SO easy and SO delicious. I seriously have to hide it from the hubby or he’ll eat it straight from the jar. 😉
I saw this on my G+ page and just stared at the picture for a while. This looks SO delicious!
Let me know if you give it a try. It’s our family’s favorite fudge sauce recipe and can eaten by the spoonful straight from the jar! 😀
did u ever make the printable label for this sauce? i would love to gift some to my dad for fathers day!
This looks amazing! Thinking of trying it with churros. How many cups does this recipe make?
Your recipes are brilliant, with so many ideas and choice
This looks fantastic!
Saw this on fb, was craving something sweet, and made it immediately. SO yummy and easy! My daughter and I agree-who needs icecream???!!!!
LOL!! So glad you guys liked it. It’s definitely something that can be eaten on it’s own!! 😉
Ok we made the sauce and yup it was good. My wife has a spoon and eating it so its good i seen the Carmel apple. Sauce. Also
LOL!! My hubby does the same thing. As soon as we’re done using it for ice cream or funnel cakes, he grabs a spoon and digs in! 😉
Im making this today me and the wife want to see how good it is
This sounds amazing! Would this work as a cake topping for a chocolate fudge cake? Or would it be too runny?
I’ve never used it as a frosting. Although it’s kind of thick, I think it would be too runny for a cake. I think it would definitely work as a drizzle over the cake though. 😉
This is the hot fudge that my mom has made my whole life. I literally eat it by the spoonful. And then when I have sufficiently guilted myself into stopping that, I dip bananas into it. I keep it on hand for bedtimes that just get the best of me! Nothing makes a bad bedtime melt away like this hot fudge!
LOL!! SO true!!! This stuff is pretty dangerous. We’ve been making it for as long as I can remember too. Glad that you’re a huge fan as well. Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!! XO
by powdered sugar, do you mean icing sugar?
This looks great! Probably a stupid question, but once it is at a boil and cooking for the 8 minutes, do you keep it at a full boil during the time you’re cooking and stirring, or do you lower the heat to more of a simmer? Thanks!
Not a silly question – once it’s at a boil, keep it boiling for the 8 minutes and then you can remove it from the heat. 😉
Great! Thanks so much for the reply! I will be trying this for sure.
Awesome! I made this the other night to bring to my niece today,. I put the extra that didn’t fit in the jar in a small bowl to use later on on a dessert. It never made it! I took a spoonful, then another and another. It is Soo good!
Can you please post what the shelf life is…or if it needs to be stored in the fridge? Can it be canned? Hard to give this as a gift, if the recipient won’t know how to properly store it. Thank you!
Hi Patty! We keep this refrigerated and usually keep it for month. It usually doesn’t last that long, though. Unfortunately, never tried canning it. :/
I posted your recipe on Pinterest and someone has asked if they can the recipe? Can you please advise if it is possible to “save” it for an extended period of time using the canning method. Thanks!
Unfortunately, I’ve never tried canning the sauce before but I imagine if you seal it properly, it should store for awhile. 😉
Love Chocolate Fudge! Especially homemade! Pinned!
Thanks, girl!!
I wish I had a spoon! YUM!
Wish I had a fresh jar of it right now too! 😀
Looks divine! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Thank you, Desiree!
I love how easy it is to make especially since it is CHOCOLATE 🙂 Thanks so much!!
It really is SOOOO easy and SOOOO good! Let me know if you give it a try, Crystal. I think you’d love it!!
Looks delicious! I can’t wait to try it on a funnel cake! Pinned 🙂
I promise you’ll love them!! 😉