Equipment
Ingredients
Dairy and Sugars
- 120 ml heavy cream
- 60 g unsalted butter, cubed
- 100 g light brown sugar, packed
- 100 g granulated sugar
Chocolate and Flavorings
- 30 g dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 85 g unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
- 5 g flaky sea salt
- 10 ml vanilla extract
Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition is estimated per serving. Nutrients without complete source data are omitted.
Full nutrition
- Calories
- 146 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbohydrates
- 16 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Fiber
- 2 g
- Sugar
- 14 g
- Sodium
- 135 mg
- Saturated Fat
- 4 g
- Trans Fat
- 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat
- 2 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat
- 0 g
- Cholesterol
- 18 mg
- Potassium
- 116 mg
- Calcium
- 14 mg
- Iron
- 0.6 mg
- Magnesium
- 29 mg
- Phosphorus
- 43 mg
- Zinc
- 0.4 mg
- Vitamin A
- 60 mcg
- Vitamin C
- 0 mg
- Vitamin D
- 0.1 mcg
- Vitamin E
- 0.2 mg
- Vitamin K
- 1 mcg
- Vitamin B6
- 0.0 mg
- Vitamin B12
- 0.0 mcg
- Riboflavin
- 0.03 mg
- Niacin
- 0.1 mg
- Folate
- 1 mcg
- Water
- 6 g
- Alcohol
- 0 g
- Caffeine
- 2 mg
Sources: Aggregated Public Data, USDA FoodData Central
Method
Measure and finely chop the unsweetened chocolate. Set aside so it is ready to be added quickly at the end of the cooking process.
Combine the heavy cream, cubed butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cocoa powder in a medium saucepan.
Place the saucepan over medium heat. Whisk continuously until the butter is completely melted and the sugars have completely dissolved, reaching approximately 90°C/195°F.
Increase the heat slightly to bring the mixture to a gentle boil at 100°C/212°F. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer and cook undisturbed for exactly 3 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from the heat completely. Immediately add the finely chopped unsweetened chocolate, flaky sea salt, and vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously until the chocolate is fully melted and emulsified into a perfectly smooth sauce.
Transfer the hot fudge to a heatproof glass jar. Allow it to cool uncovered for 15 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the sauce to thicken to the ideal draping consistency.
Chef's Notes
- Using a combination of cocoa powder and unsweetened block chocolate provides both deep color and the necessary cocoa butter for a luscious, thick texture.
- Dutch-processed cocoa is strongly recommended over natural cocoa powder here, as its reduced acidity yields a darker, more classic fudge flavor.
- The flaky sea salt will not fully dissolve into the fat-rich sauce, providing delightful bursts of salinity that cut through the richness of the fudge.
- If gifting this sauce, pour it into sterilized glass jars while still hot, then seal. Attach a tag with reheating instructions.
Storage
Refrigerator: 3 weeks — Store in a tightly sealed glass jar.
Freezer: 3 months — Leave at least 2cm of headspace in the container to allow for expansion.
Reheating: Microwave uncovered in 15-second bursts, stirring in between, or place the sealed jar in a warm water bath until pourable.
Troubleshooting
Sauce appears greasy or the fat has separated
Cause: Chocolate was overheated, or the mixture continued to boil after the solid chocolate was added.
Fix: Whisk vigorously with a small splash of warm heavy cream until the emulsion comes back together.
Prevention: Always remove the saucepan from the heat source completely before whisking in the chopped chocolate.
Sauce has a grainy texture
Cause: Sugar crystals did not fully dissolve before the mixture was brought to a boil.
Fix: Reheat gently over a double boiler while whisking, though some minor graininess may remain.
Prevention: Ensure all sugar is completely dissolved during the initial heating phase, whisking continuously before allowing the boil.
Cultural Context
Hot fudge sauce is a cornerstone of the classic American ice cream parlor experience, originating in the late 19th century alongside the rise of the ice cream sundae. Making it at home elevates it from a simple commercial topping to a deeply personal, artisanal treat. During the winter holidays, jars of homemade fudge sauce become cherished, shelf-stable gifts that evoke warmth and nostalgia.
