This simple shortcut recipe for microwave hot fudge sauce is super convenient without skimping on taste! Keeping this rich, decadent, smooth chocolate sauce on hand is perfect for pouring over ice cream, your morning pancakes, or making a quick glass of chocolate milk! No more stovetop boiling, burning, or constant stirring. Easier and faster access to hot fudge is always a win!
You know something fun and awesome is about to go down when hot fudge makes an appearance. Looking for some creative inspiration on ways to use hot fudge during a celebration or gathering? Think about setting up a fun minute to win it ice cream sundae challenge or set up a hot cocoa bar!
Microwave hot fudge is so easy. Imagine being able to whip up hot fudge on a whim? In a matter of minutes! I mean sure you could just as easily grab some storebought stuff from the store, but you and I both know it’s just not the same! This sauce is made with just 6 ingredients and all of them you can pronounce. Making it from scratch allows you to control what goes in and what stays out. Plus, you just feel all kinds of fancy when you’re making a sweet, decadent, velvety smooth hot fudge. No one needs to know how easy it is.
Use it for everything from s’mores sundaes, to drizzling it over pancakes, waffles, and crepes. Pour it into a glass of milk for some hot chocolate, or use it as a decadent topping for your brownies. I mean, you could even eat it with a spoon and I would look the other way. I’m awesome like that. I would expect the same in return 😉
The next time you’re hosting a birthday party, or any festive celebration, make sure to add this quick and easy hot fudge sauce to your ice cream sundae bar. Everyone loves having a variety of sauces to choose from, to top off their ice cream, and what’s a sundae without hot fudge?!
Hot fudge vs Chocolate syrup – What’s the diff?
The difference between the two isn’t large enough that you couldn’t swap one for the other if you wanted (or needed) to, however, it is enough to know there is a difference. Depending on where you fall on the chocolate-loving spectrum, this may dictate whether you’re on team syrup or team fudge.
Hot fudge is definitely thicker, richer, and holds its form a little sturdier. Chocolate syrup is thinner and easily pourable. Fudge is usually made with a chocolate bar, or chocolate chips, as well as butter, cream (or milk), and vanilla. Chocolate sauce, on the other hand, is made with cocoa powder, water, and liquid sugar, usually corn syrup.
Ingredients Needed for a Quick Hot Fudge
- Sugar – Needed for sweetness, especially because we’re using unsweetened chocolate. This way you can control the amount of added sugar.
- Salt – Enhances the flavor of all other ingredients and brings a nice balance to the sweetness.
- Evaporated milk – This is milk that has had the water removed which results in a thick concentrated liquid. Not to be confused with sweetened condensed milk which has added sugar. Stick to unsweetened evaporated milk.
- Chocolate – Unsweetened chocolate squares. You’ll need 4 oz for this recipe.
- Butter – Used to create a richly smooth, velvety texture.
- Vanilla – A warming flavor that is very common in fudge. Vanilla has a quiet confidence that rounds out the flavors of the hot fudge nicely.
Making Microwave Hot Fudge
One of the best things about this easy recipe is it’s basically foolproof. There’s no stirring chocolate over the stove, hoping it doesn’t burn. There’s no boiling, constant stirring, or all the extra dishes. This is literally one dish, in the microwave, and bam!
The chocolate isn’t actually what goes in the microwave. It’s the salt, milk, and sugar that gets put into a microwave-safe dish to heat up to a boil. Then the chocolate gets added and melts from the residual heat into a smooth luscious hot fudge sauce. Crazy right? Then, the vanilla is added and you’re done! I mean, seriously.
Once the sauce is cool enough to handle, pour the warm hot fudge into one of these handy glass syrup dispensers. I love them because you can keep them in the refrigerator and then just screw the top off and pop the jar in the microwave to reheat the sauce next time!
The question then becomes, how many things can I use it on?!
What are the ways I can use hot fudge?
- Ice cream sundaes
- S’mores sundaes
- Banana splits
- German oven pancakes
- Brownies
- Waffles
- Breakfast crepes
- Drizzle over pie
- A dip for your fruit
- Spoon a bit over a piece of homemade oreo ice cream cake
Make a S’Mores Hot Fudge Sundae Like So:
This delicious concoction starts with your choice of ice cream (I’m a fan of rocky road myself), topped with this homemade hot fudge and buttery graham cracker crust crumbles. Marshmallow cream is drizzled over the top to finish it all off. There really are no limits to what this amazing hot fudge can do!
Graham crackers are even better when you mix them with butter and sugar and toast them in the oven, am I right? Use a food processor to make 1 ½ C. graham cracker crumbs. Add ½ C. melted butter and ⅓ C. granulated sugar. Mix well, then press out on top of a sheet of aluminum foil on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes at 375 degrees. When the crust cools, crumble it and sprinkle over your ice cream sundae!
FAQs
Can I use chocolate chips instead? I’m definitely a fan of using high-quality chocolate wherever possible, especially when it means I’m able to control the ingredients. You can (if you must) use chocolate chips, whether semi-sweet or milk chocolate, but it might just mean you need to adjust the amount of added sugar. If this is the case, you may also want to melt the chocolate chips with the butter in the microwave first for 30-second intervals, and once melted, then add the remaining ingredients. It is a much faster version, however not quite as good (but I mean, chocolate is chocolate!).
How long will hot fudge last in the fridge?
Make lots because this stuff lasts for a few weeks in the fridge! Keep stored in a cute airtight and use it to pour directly from when serving a crowd. It also makes a great gift for a friend or neighbor!
Microwave Hot Fudge Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 ½ C. sugar
- ¼ tsp. sea salt
- 1 can 5.3 oz evaporated milk
- 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate squares
- 2-3 TBs. butter
- ½ tsp. vanilla
Instructions
- Combine sugar, sea salt, and milk in a 9x9 square, glass dish.
- Microwave 5-6 minutes until mixture is boiling.
- Stir in chocolate squares and butter until melted.
- Add vanilla and whisk until sauce is glossy and smooth.
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Comments & Reviews
Charity says
Mmm, a s’mores sundae is a great idea! I make a fudge sauce that’s even simpler… I melt semi-sweet chocolate with cream in the microwave. It has a texture like truffles when it’s cold. =) I’m more likely to have cream on hand than evaporated milk, but next time I have the milk I’m going to try your recipe. =)