Best Hot Fudge Sauce

There are recipes out there for microwave hot fudge, but the best results for homemade hot fudge sauce are achieved through cooking on a traditional stovetop. The heat in microwaves just isn’t as reliable. This recipe is best made on the stovetop—it is still simple and quick to make.

Doubling a candy recipe can be difficult as it affects the cooking time, pot size, and more. We do not recommend doubling unless you have prior experience.

Crystallizing is pretty common when working with sugar, but by heating the sugar just right, you can avoid that crystallization. Be sure to follow the cooking and blending very closely.

Yes, dark chocolate chips can be used for a deeper chocolate flavor.

While vanilla adds depth, you can omit it without affecting the sauce’s consistency.

The blending has to do with working air into the sauce or aerating it. The smooth, creamy texture is a result of this blending, so be sure to blend for the full 2 minutes, even if it seems pretty well blended before that. Also, an immersion blender doesn’t work great for this step.

When blending hot liquids like hot fudge sauce, it’s crucial to use a countertop blender with a vented lid to ensure safety. The vent allows steam to escape, preventing pressure buildup inside the blender jar, which could cause the lid to pop off. Start blending at a lower speed and gradually increase it to manage the pressure and prevent splashing. This technique is essential for safely achieving the perfect texture of your hot fudge sauce.

A common mistake in candy making is cooking the sugar too fast. When a candy recipe says “bring to a boil” you should warm it at low-medium heat until everything is melted, then turn the heat up to medium-high until boiling begins. Then, always reduce the heat to medium to sustain a simmering boil.

If you just flip the heat up to high, you risk burning or otherwise ruining your sugar. 

Constant stirring and controlled heat are key to preventing a grainy texture.

Blending hot liquids is safe with the proper equipment and blending technique. When blending hot liquids like hot fudge sauce, it’s crucial to use a countertop blender with a vented lid to ensure safety. The vent allows steam to escape, preventing pressure buildup inside the blender jar, which could cause the lid to pop off. Start blending at a lower speed and gradually increase it to manage the pressure and prevent splashing.