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I spend time testing every single recipe I share, and that includes homemade hot fudge sundaes. I’ve made these so many times for my family, and now I’m sharing my perfected recipe with you, including a hot fudge sauce with the perfect consistency that takes this up a notch!
A hot fudge sundae was my absolute favorite ice cream treat when I was a kid. What’s not to love about ice cream topped with a bunch of fun toppings? Sundaes just scream summertime, and now you can create a sweet sundae experience right in your own kitchen!
Plus, it only takes a few minutes to make, and everyone can customize the toppings to their liking, so it’s the perfect family dessert and a great treat for summer parties! Make your own hot fudge sundae bar, anyone?
For the hot fudge topping, you can grab a jar at the store, or you can use my hot fudge sauce recipe to make the easiest and best hot fudge sauce! The full recipe is below, and trust me, you will be hooked once you try it!
Why You’ll Love This Hot Fudge Sundae
- Simple Steps
- Perfect Summer Dessert
- Easy customizable
- Simple Ingredients
What You’ll Need to Make This Hot Fudge Sundae
Your whole family will love making hot fudge sundaes at home! Get the full recipe details in the recipe card below.
Hot Fudge Sauce
- Heavy cream
- Granulated sugar
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Butter, salted or unsalted
Sundae
- Ice Cream
- Whipped Cream
- Peanuts
- Rainbow Sprinkles
- Maraschino Cherries
How to make a Chocolate Fudge Sundae
It starts with my delicious hot fudge recipe, and then you get to assemble your sundae with all the yummy toppings! Get the full details in the recipe card below.
Hot Fudge Sauce
- Prep chocolate chips. Place the chocolate chips in a small mixing bowl or dish. Set aside.
- Heat heavy cream and sugar. In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream and granulated sugar. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Combine mixture and chocolate chips. Pour the mixture over the chocolate chips and add in the butter. Allow the mixture to sit for 1-2 minutes, then stir to combine.
- Cool and store. As the sauce cools, it will thicken. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. To reheat, place your desired amount of hot fudge in a small microwave safe container and microwave for 15-20 seconds, or longer as needed.
Sundae
- Assemble your sundae. Add ice cream to a bowl or glass. Drizzle hot fudge over the ice cream. Add whipped cream, chopped peanuts, rainbow sprinkles, and a maraschino cherry.
Fudge Sundae variations
- Customize Toppings: Common toppings for hot fudge sundaes are marshmallows, crushed peanuts, shredded coconut, peanut butter chips, and even strawberry or caramel sauce. You could even add banana slices and give it a banana split kind of flavor or make it a brownie sundae by piling all of the ingredients on top of a slice of warm brownie. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your favorite toppings!
- Make it a dirty hot fudge sundae: Just swap the vanilla ice cream for chocolate ice cream!
- Add Brownies: How to make box brownies better or Homemade Brownies
The Best Toppings for a Hot Fudge Sundae
Here are some classic and popular toppings for a Hot Fudge Sundae. But don’t let this list limit you, get creative and add whatever sounds delicious to you!
- Whipped cream
- Maraschino cherry
- Chopped nuts (such as peanuts, almonds, or pecans)
- Rainbow sprinkles
- Chocolate shavings
- Sliced bananas
- Crushed Oreos or other cookies
- Crushed candies (such as reese’s, snickers, or butterfinger)
- Caramel sauce
- Marshmallows
- Fresh strawberries or other berries
Storing this Ice Cream Sundae Recipe
There isn’t a good way to store a hot fudge ice cream sundae once it is assembled. This delicious dessert is best served freshly put together. Your hot fudge can be refrigerated for up to once a month, and your ice cream, of course, will need to be frozen.
More Ice Cream Recipes
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Hot Fudge Sundae Recipe
Ingredients
Hot Fudge Sauce
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp butter, salted or unsalted
Sundae
- Ice Cream
- Whipped Cream
- Peanuts
- Rainbow Sprinkles
- Maraschino Cherries
Instructions
Hot Fudge Sauce
- Place the chocolate chips in a small mixing bowl or dish. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream and granulated sugar. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Pour the mixture over the chocolate chips and add in the butter. Allow the mixture to sit for 1-2 minutes, then stir to combine.
- As the sauce cools, it will thicken. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. To reheat, place your desired amount of hot fudge in a small microwave safe container and microwave for 15-20 seconds, or longer as needed.
Sundae
- Add ice cream to a bowl or glass. Drizzle hot fudge over the ice cream. Add whipped cream, chopped peanuts, rainbow sprinkles, and a maraschino cherry.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclosure
All nutritional values are approximate and provided to the reader as a courtesy. Changing ingredients and/or quantities will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
