A Hot Fudge Sundae is a classic, nostalgic American dessert. Traditionally it is made with scoops of vanilla ice cream with smooth and creamy hot fudge sauce drizzled on top. Often there is added whipped cream, nuts and a maraschino cherry.
History of the Hot Fudge Sundae:
The traditional hot fudge sundae emerged in the early 20th century. Though we’re not certain of its first appearance, one popular story is that it was invented in 1906 by a pharmacist named George Hall in Ithaca, New York. Apparently he created the sundae to avoid violating a local ban on selling sodas on Sundays by serving ice cream topped with hot fudge instead. It also may have been invented at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, where a similar dessert was served. All we really know is that ice cream topped with hot fudge became a very popular American dessert!
About Hot Fudge:
You can certainly buy jars of hot fudge at the store, but it’s so much better (and easy) to make it homemade. My recipe calls for using just four basic ingredients, and it makes 2 cups of hot fudge. You can prep it ahead of time and refrigerate (for up to one month) until the mood for a hot fudge sundae strikes. Then just heat up the fudge a little bit and pour it over some ice cream!
Use any leftover hot fudge to make my Mint Brownie Hot Fudge Oreo Trifle, or use it to top Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Pie or Buster Bars.
Ingredients Needed to make Homemade Hot Fudge:
- Unsweetened chocolate: (such as the Baker’s brand bar in your market’s baking aisle).
- Butter: I like to use salted.
- Half and Half: You can also use “cream,” if that’s what you have access to.
- Sugar: Use granulated white sugar.
How to make homemade Hot Fudge:
Use a double boiler to make this recipe. If you don’t have one, then use a glass or metal bowl set over a pot of simmering water instead. That works just fine.
In the top pan or bowl, melt the chocolate and butter together. Whisk until smooth. Then pour in the half and half or cream and whisk again. Whisk in the sugar a little at a time, making sure the sugar is dissolving before you add more.
Then you’ll just cover it and cook (use foil over the bowl, if using a bowl), stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes. The hot fudge will become glossy and it will thicken. Remove the pan from heat and let it cool down.
Topping Suggestions for a Hot Fudge Sundae:
- whipped cream (from the can or homemade)
- caramel sauce
- hot butterscotch sauce
- mini marshmallows or marshmallow sauce
- toffee bits
- miniature chocolate chips
- M&M’s
- crushed oreos or crushed brownies
- rainbow sprinkles or chocolate sprinkles
- maraschino cherries with a stem
More Sundae Variations:
- Use any sort of ice cream (vanilla, mint chocolate, butter pecan, etc) to make a hot fudge sundae.
- Consider setting up a “sundae” bar for a party. Set out ice cream, sauces and toppings and let everyone choose their favorites to put in cute sundae dishes.
- A hot fudge brownie sundae is pretty amazing.
- Make a banana split!
- Hear me out on this one: a brownie hot butterscotch sundae!
What I Love About Hot Fudge Sundaes:
- You can make a simple recipe for hot fudge that is so much more delicious than store-bought.
- There is a short list of ingredients for this iconic dessert.
- It’s a dessert that everyone loves because it’s easy to customize to everyone’s liking.
Hot Fudge Sundae
Ingredients
HOMEMADE HOT FUDGE:
- 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, cut into pieces
- ½ cup half-and-half
- 1½ cups granulated white sugar
WHAT YOU NEED FOR A HOT FUDGE SUNDAE:
- ice cream, of choice
- hot fudge
- whipped cream, nuts, cherry (or any desired topping)
Instructions
MAKE HOMEMADE HOT FUDGE:
- In a double boiler, melt chocolate and butter together over simmering water. Whisk until smooth. Whisk in the half & half. Add ½ cup sugar, whisking as you pour it in. Continue stirring until sugar has dissolved (and isn't grainy), about 30 seconds. Add another ½ cup sugar and stir until dissolved. Then add remaining ½ cup of sugar and stir again.
- Cover the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce becomes glossy and thickens slightly, about 20 minutes.
- 3. Cool slightly (15 minutes) and serve warm.
PREPARE THE HOT FUDGE SUNDAE:
- Add scoops of ice cream to a bowl or ice cream dish. Drizzle hot fudge on top. If desired, add any toppings that you like. Eat!
Notes
- If you are preparing this recipe as gluten-free, just be sure to use a brand of chocolate that is known to be GF.
- If you’d like to make this sauce ahead of time, just pour it into a Tupperware container or a glass jar with a lid and refrigerate until ready to reheat and use (for up to one month).
- If you don’t have a double boiler, just use a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water instead.
- Nutritional information listed is for 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream with 1/4 cup of hot fudge (no toppings).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
