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4.6 from 132 votes

5-Minute Hot Fudge Sauce {Three Ways!}

Crafted with ease and taste in mind, this recipe is a great choice.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 16 Servings (About 2 cups)
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 ⅓ cups semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips (see note)
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter
  • ¼ cup light corn syrup
  • 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar optional
  • 2 tablespoons natural unsweetened or Dutch-process cocoa powder sift the cocoa powder before using if it is extra lumpy
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium saucepan, stir together the chopped chocolate (or chocolate chips), heavy cream, butter, corn syrup, brown sugar (if using), and cocoa powder. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth, 3-5 minutes. Don't let the mixture overheat or scorch! Add additional milk or heavy cream, if needed, for a thinner consistency.
  2. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
  3. Peanut Butter-Chocolate Variation: use milk chocolate chips (or half milk chocolate/half semisweet), add 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter to the mixture before heating, and increase the heavy cream to 1 cup.
  4. Butterscotch-Chocolate Variation: use half milk chocolate/half semisweet chocolate, add 2/3 cup butterscotch chips (about 4 ounces) to the mixture before heating, decrease the cocoa to 1 tablespoon, and increase the butter to 6 tablespoons.
  5. Use immediately or store the sauce in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. Reheat in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly just until heated (don't let it boil or simmer) or in the microwave for 20-30 seconds at a time - thin with additional milk or heavy cream, if needed.

Notes

  • Chocolate: the hot fudge sauce (any flavor) will only be as good as the chocolate you use! I almost always use Ghirardelli or Guittard chocolate chips. They melt better than other brands I've tried, but ultimately, just use chocolate chips you love the flavor of!
  • PB & Butterscotch Versions: as much as I love dark chocolate, in the PB and butterscotch versions, it really does help to lighten up and go with at least part milk chocolate, otherwise the chocolate flavor overwhelms the add-in flavors of peanut butter or butterscotch. The sauce is still very rich and chocolatey. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Serving Calories 173kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 14g (5%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Cholesterol 24mg (8%) Sodium 35mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 11g (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 16Servings (About 2 cups)

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 Serving
Calories 173kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 14g 5%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 24mg 8%
Sodium 35mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 11g 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.