I want to share one of my all-time favorite recipes with you. This hot fudge sauce has been a constant in our family ever since we were a family. The only difference is that now I make a double batch because one pint of hot fudge sauce just doesn’t cut it around here.
A Hot Fudge Sauce Origin Story
In my previous life I worked at the library in my little hometown in Oklahoma. We grew up going to the library every week and it was a dream to work there as a young adult. Four of us had a lunch group we called JAKK after our initials and we had some good old times. One day Judy, the J in JAKK , gave me a cookbook that had been donated for the book sale, which was technically a tiny library misdemeanor but that’s how we rolled.
This book happened to be a huge volume of dessert recipes published by Gourmet magazine. I poured over it and dreamed of making fancy tortes and meringues. I still have that book but only make two recipes from it, an incredible lemon meringue pie and this hot fudge sauce.
Of course I think of Judy every time I make this recipe. I also think of her when my first zinnia blooms in the garden because she introduced me to zinnias from her amazing garden. I miss you Judy!
Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe
- 1/3 cup butter
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix butter, cocoa powder, sugar, water, and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook at a low but steady boil for 8 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
Cool slightly before pouring over ice cream or pouring into a jar to store in the fridge. I’m more likely to sneak a luscious spoonful now and then than have it over ice cream. This is something I highly recommend, it makes your day better.
Makes one pint that should be stored in the fridge.



Tips and Tricks
- Double the recipe if your family is like mine or you are serving this at a party.
- Try different cocoa powders to make a darker or lighter sauce
- Use dairy free butter for a vegan or allergy friendly version
- If the sauce is too thick or grainy when it cools, heat in a microwave or saucepan to make it pourable again.
- This makes a great gift in a nice jar with a ribbon tied around it. Be sure to add a tag explaining what it is and that it should be stored in the refrigerator.