This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

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!

Hot fudge sauce recipe stored in a glass jar.
Save This Recipe!
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

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.

Powder sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and chocolate chips on a wooden counter.

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!!

Chocolate sauce boiling in a pot on the stove.

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. 

Our favorite hot fudge sauce recipe oozing from a mason jar.

Recipe FAQ

Can I bottle homemade hot fudge sauce to store it on the shelf?

I don’t recommend canning your fudge sauce. If you are wanting to store it for later, it is best stored frozen.

Do I have to heat up the hot fudge sauce every time I use it?

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.

How is chocolate fudge sauce different from chocolate 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:

4.99 from 62 votes

Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe

By: Lil’ Luna
This all-time favorite hot fudge sauce recipe is a family favorite for pouring on your sweet treats. All you need is 4 ingredients!
Servings: 16 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 13 minutes

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

Calories: 186kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 21mg, Sodium: 74mg, Potassium: 112mg, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 230IU, Vitamin C: 0.4mg, Calcium: 62mg, Iron: 0.6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

So Easy & So Yummy

Get my cookbook!

My new cookbook is the ultimate resource for feeding your friends and family with 200+ simple recipes including videos, tips & more!

4.99 from 62 votes (25 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




148 Comments

  1. Susan says:

    4 stars
    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!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      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?

    2. Arden says:

      Not condensed milk, EVAPORATED milk!

  2. Ann says:

    Does this sauce need to be refrigerated?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yes, once it’s made it can be refrigerated for a month. It can also be frozen for 6-12.

  3. Lee says:

    This looks so good! Does this harden or does it stay soft and pourable?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      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.

  4. swede says:

    The saus is delicous but a little bit thick, any suggestion on how I can make it a bit thinner?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yes, just add a little more evaporated milk until it is the consistency you prefer.

  5. Mary says:

    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?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      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!

  6. Elizabeth Campbell says:

    5 stars
    This is to die for! We made sundaes the other day and this was definitely a hit! 😍

  7. Kari V says:

    5 stars
    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!

  8. Nicole Ward says:

    5 stars
    This makes amazing neighbor gifts for Christmas! Quick, simple, delicious!

  9. Rachel Warner says:

    5 stars
    This was so good and easy to make!

  10. Mandy says:

    5 stars
    Making this for a family dessert night.. so excited to try it!