How to Make Chocolate Hot Fudge Sauce From Scratch
How to Make Chocolate Hot Fudge Sauce From Scratch is a easy American recipe that serves 8. 130 calories per serving. Recipe by America's Test Kitchen on YouTube.
Prep: 5 min | Cook: 13 min | Total: 28 min
Cost: $2.56 total, $0.32 per serving
Ingredients
- 1.25 cup Granulated Sugar (measured in standard US cup)
- 0.66 cup Whole Milk (any dairy milk)
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt (fine sea salt)
- 0.33 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (prefer Dutch‑processed for richer flavor)
- 3 ounce Unsweetened Chocolate (high‑quality, broken into pieces)
- 4 tablespoon Unsalted Butter (cut into 8 pieces, room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (pure vanilla)
Instructions
Gather Ingredients
Measure out all ingredients and cut the butter into eight equal pieces before you start heating.
Time: PT5M
Dissolve Sugar
Combine the sugar, milk, and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium‑low heat, whisk continuously for 5–6 minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture begins to bubble around the edges.
Time: PT6M
Incorporate Cocoa
Reduce the heat to low and whisk in 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder until the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute.
Time: PT1M
Melt Unsweetened Chocolate
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the 3 oz unsweetened chocolate pieces, let the mixture sit for 3 minutes, then whisk until the chocolate is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
Time: PT4M
Emulsify Butter
Add the half‑stick of butter (cut into 8 pieces) to the sauce. Whisk until the butter is completely incorporated and the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
Time: PT2M
Finish with Vanilla
Whisk in 1 tsp pure vanilla extract until just combined.
Time: PT30S
Cool and Store
Transfer the sauce to a clean jar, let it cool to room temperature, then seal and refrigerate. The sauce keeps for up to one month.
Time: PT5M
Reheat When Needed
Place the desired amount in a microwave‑safe container. Heat on medium power, stirring every 10 seconds until warm and pourable (about 1–2 minutes).
Time: PT2M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 130
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbohydrates
- 20 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fiber
- 2 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian, Contains dairy, Gluten-Free
Allergens: Milk, Butter (dairy)
Last updated: April 7, 2026





