The Easiest Homemade Hot Fudge

The Easiest Homemade Hot Fudge

This easy homemade hot fudge is made with just 5 simple ingredients in one pot and tastes better than any store bought hot fudge. Serve it over ice cream or eat it by the spoonful.

The Easiest 5-Ingredient Homemade Hot Fudge

I think we can all agree that warm, velvety hot fudge is one of the greatest simple pleasures in life. And what if I told you that making homemade hot fudge is quite literally the most simple recipe you could ever whip up. You’ll need just 5 simple ingredients, 5 minutes and a pot to bring this hot fudge to life. She’s thick, glossy, deeply chocolatey, and pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a homemade brownie.

Or just eat it by the spoonful. We’re not judging.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Hot Fudge

If you’ve ever been disappointed by store-bought hot fudge that’s too thin, too sweet, or packed with preservatives, this recipe will change everything. It’s rich, indulgent, and incredibly easy to make at home. Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Just 5 simple ingredients: No funky ingredients or unpronounceable ingredients here. You’ll just need chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter, heavy cream, and some vanilla extract to make this hot fudge sauce.
• 5-minute recipe: This hot fudge is dangerously easy to make. Simply place everything in a saucepan and stir until it’s completely melted and smooth!
• Super versatile: Pour it over ice cream, stir it into coffee (good mornings start with mochas, duh), drizzle it over brownies, or just eat it by the spoonful. No judgment here.

What ingredients you’ll need to make this homemade hot fudge

Making the best homemade hot fudge starts with simple, high-quality ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in achieving that thick, luscious consistency and perfect balance of sweetness. Here’s what you need:

• Sweetened condensed milk : The secret to a rich, thick texture and the perfect amount of sweetness.
• Chocolate chips: Use high-quality chocolate chips for the best flavor! Dark, milk, or semisweet all work, depending on your preference.
• Heavy cream: This gives the hot fudge a luscious, silky-smooth consistency. If you want to thin out your hot fudge you can add more heavy cream to make it more pourable!
• Butter: A little butter will give your hot fudge sauce a beautiful glossy finish and rich flavor.
• Vanilla extract: A dash of pure vanilla extract will complement the chocolate flavor perfectly. Just be sure to remove the hot fudge from the heat before stirring it in.
• Salt: Okay this doesn’t really count as an ingredient because everyone has salt, but a generous pinch will deepen the flavor of your hot fudge sauce so I highly recommend you don’t skip it!

How to Make Hot Fudge in 5 Minutes

Making this homemade hot fudge is as easy as melting, stirring, and serving. You won’t need any fancy equipment, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly it comes together. Just follow these simple steps:

Step One: Combine the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, and butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

Step Two: Stir constantly until the chocolate is fully melted and everything is smooth and glossy.

Step Three: Remove from heat and add the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.

And THAT’S IT.

You now have the most decadent hot fudge ready to go. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. When ready to use, just reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warm.

Pro Tips for the Best Hot Fudge

Use good-quality chocolate. Since this recipe is all about chocolate, using high-quality chocolate chips or even chopped chocolate will make a huge difference.

Don’t overheat! Chocolate can burn easily, so keep the heat low and stir constantly.

Want it thinner? Add a splash of more heavy cream until you reach your desired consistency.

Hot Fudge FAQs

Can I make this dairy-free?
You sure can. Use a dairy-free sweetened condensed milk (I like this oatmilk brand–I usually grab it at Whole Foods), swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk and the butter for a nondairy butter.

How do I store homemade hot fudge?
Keep it in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 1 month. When ready to use, microwave it in 10-second increments, stirring in between each until it reaches your desired temperature.

Can I use cocoa powder instead of chocolate chips?
Not for this recipe! The chocolate chips give it that thick, fudgy texture. If you don’t have chocolate chips on hand you can use chopped chocolate instead! I recommend using a semisweet or dark chocolate unless you prefer a very sweet hot fudge–milk chocolate will yield a super sweet sauce so keep that in mind!

What to serve this hot fudge with

This homemade hot fudge is next-level amazing over ice cream, but don’t stop there. Drizzle it over waffles, pancakes, or even dip strawberries into it (hello, Valentine’s Day). However you enjoy it, one thing is for sure—once you make this hot fudge, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.

Happy hot fudge eating, my friends!

XXX

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