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Like the name says, this stuff is seriously the best ever hot fudge sauce. What it doesn't say is that it's so easy you'll hardly believe it!
This is almost embarrassing - but we're friends, right? Every word in the title of this recipe, Best Ever Hot Fudge Sauce, is true, although I didn't include the most important word...
EASY. As in super easy!
The reason I feel a little sheepish is because it's so easy it's actually embarrassing to even call it a recipe. Am I exaggerating? Nope; this is how it works - throw all the ingredients in a blender except the half and half which is heated in the microwave till it's good and hot, then quickly added to the blender contents. Cover and push the ON button. Less than 2 minutes later you'll be staring at the most luscious, deep, dark, rich, silky-smooth chocolate sauce you've ever had the pleasure of meeting.
See what I mean? Embarrassingly simple. But you know what? I won't tell a soul if you don't. We'll just keep this magically delicious, super simple secret to ourselves and enjoy the accolades, okay?
Oh, and speaking of secrets; there is one important little detail I need to share regarding this recipe. Use a good quality chocolate. It can be semisweet or bittersweet, I've had good results with both. Good quality chocolate chips will work as well bars of fine chocolate, like the French Broad chef's tablet that you see in the pics.
What's French Broad chocolate? If you don't live in North Carolina or haven't visited Asheville, NC, you may not be familiar with The French Broad Chocolate Lounge. It's a one-of-a-kind, charming little chocolate shop located in the heart of Asheville. There's almost always a line spilling out the door because the stuff they have is absolutely amazing. I think this review from YELP sums up The French Broad Chocolate Lounge perfectly:
"If I could give 6 stars, I would. I am an avid chocolate lover, and thusly, I eat chocolate as often as possible and certainly when I am on vacation. I can honestly say that this is easily in my top 3 chocolate experiences, and in my top 10 foodie experiences. The line can get long...stay strong!!! It is worth the wait. Charming place, fantastic backstory, they pay their workers a living wage, they source as locally as possible, and their staff was nice. But the chocolate. Oh, the chocolate. I had this milk chocolate mousse concoction that was layered with a peanut butter cream served in a small milk bottle. Literally one of the best things I have ever put in my mouth. I will be making the 5-hour drive back to Asheville as soon as possible for this one place."
Scott and I became familiar with French Broad Chocolate last month when we attended an amazing blogging conference in Asheville called Food Blog Forum. The food scene in this beautiful mountain town is phenomenal and Asheville literally rolled out the red carpet for the attendees of the conference. We were able to personally meet many of the local proprietors, chefs, farmers, vinters and craft beer makers. We were wined and dined beyond anything I'd imagined and were taken on a private culinary tour of the famous Biltmore House. The tour was followed by an incredible dinner prepared by local chefs and served in a large white tent on a hillside overlooking the lovely Biltmore.
The beautiful Biltmore House, from our dinner venue, a big white tent up on the hillside.
The Atrium, a beautiful sight as you walk through the front doors of the Biltmore Estate. It was where Cornelia Vanderbilt was married in 1924.
We were given a fascinating behind the scenes culinary tour and full photography privileges, which are usually forbidden inside the estate.
Good thing I don't have this many pots, can you imagine the trouble I'd get into in the kitchen?
And If I had a stove this size for all those pots...
Everyone we met in Asheville was so friendly and hospitable, but I must say, we really enjoyed meeting the folks from The French Broad Chocolate Shop. Jael, one of the owners, couldn't have been sweeter and the samples of their wonderful chocolate creations were unbelievable; it's the stuff that chocolate lover's dreams are made of! When I was looking through the swag (goodie) bags from the conference and noticed large bars of their bittersweet chocolate, well let's just say - I let out a little squeal and began planning what I would do with it. I knew for sure that some of it would go into this wonderful chocolate sauce.
I've made this dessert sauce a zillion times, but I have to say the French Broad chocolate took it way over the top. If you've got a get-together coming up and you don't have time for a fancy dessert, don't worry, no one will care. Pick up some good vanilla ice cream and whip up a batch of this Best Ever Hot Fudge Sauce. Everyone will think you're a culinary whiz for making this heavenly, homemade chocolate sauce - just don't tell them about the missing word that starts with an e.
P.S. French Broad Chocolate can be found in specialty shops all over the U.S. and can also be ordered directly from frenchbroadchocolates.com.
Disclosure: We were given French Broad Chocolate at the conference, but have not been compensated for this post. The opinions are our own.
- 6 ounces good quality semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate coarsely chopped (you also can use good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips)
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- a pinch of sea salt
- ½ cup half & half a bit more to thin, if needed
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Place all ingredients except half and half into a blender container.
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Measure half and half into a medium-size microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup. Heat in the microwave on high power for 75-90 seconds or until it's boiling. Make sure to use a largeenough container to allow the liquid to boil without rising over the top.
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Immediately pour over contents into a standard blender container and cover with the blender center cap removed. Holding several thicknesses of paper toweling over the center hole (to allow the steam to escape), blend on medium-high speed for 1 minute. Remove cover carefully and scrape down sides of blender container with a rubber spatula. Cover and blend again for another minute. The sauce should be smooth, silky and thick. Depending on the type of chocolate you use, the sauce may be too thick at this point. If you want to thin it a bit, add more half and half, 2-3 teaspoons at a time and blend briefly till combined. Continue until desired consistency is reached.
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Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container or glass jar. Keeps for 1-2 weeks. Sauce will get thicker when chilled, but will return to a looser consistency when warmed. Heat before serving on medium power in the microwave, stirring every 15 seconds until desired temperature.
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Makes approximately 1 cup of chocolate sauce
*Half and half can also be heated on the stovetop over medium heat until boiling. Stir frequently.
Don't attempt this recipe if you don't have a standard blender with a center cap that can be removed.
Barb says
Made your Hot Fudge Sauce, it’s Memorial Day weekend. Have a peanut butter pie calls for hot fudge sauce on the side and this recipe is outstanding. Delicious sauce. Have a great Memorial Day.
Thank you,
Barb
Chris Scheuer says
Awesome, Barb! Thanks for letting us know!
Chrystal McCormick says
I just made the fudge hot sauce to go with the Leprechaun shortbread bars and ice cream. So easy and delicious! Thanks. I used Kirkland 60% chocolate chips.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks for sharing your results, Chrystal!
Nancy Nielsen says
Wow great recipe. After reading through the other comments I took the advice of one of your readers and put 6 oz of Ghirardelli 60% cacao chips and the other ingredients in a glass pint jar while I heated the cream. Poured it into the jar and stirred for a couple minutes, and Voila!. Perfect velvety sauce. Super easy. Thanks.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Nancy!
Cathi says
Hi Chris, This sounds wonderful. But I am wondering, does this sauce get chewy when poured over ice cream ?
I am looking for one that does not. Could I add 2 t. honey to make it more pourable?
Thanx,
Cathi
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Cathi, I'm not sure exactly what you mean by chewy. This sauce doesn't harden like some do. Is that what you mean?
Ashley says
This was great! I used six ounces of just regular chocolate chips and it was delicious. I blended mine with an immersion blender which works really well for blending hot mixtures.
Chris Scheuer says
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your results, Ashley. I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
Kathryn says
Divine! It does not get easier than this.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Katryn!
Kathy says
Would love to purchase the french broad chocolate but cannot seem to find the same bar as you show. The only bar on their website is Peru (vegan) 70%. Thoughts? Would prefer the chef's tablet.
Thanks,
Kathy Stanton
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Kathy, I know the French Broad Chocolate company has changed some of their products. I would probably just go with a bar of good quality chocolate even if it isn't French Broad.
Joan Ostler says
I wanted to make this and started to, but found out I was out of 1/2 and 1/2 so I melted 1/2 cup of vanilla bean ice cream and added a little milk to it and boiled it. I left out the vanilla because the ice cream had a lot in it. I used a scant cup of sugar because I didn't want it too sweet. It turned out very well and it was delicious. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips but will try it again with dark or baking chocolate. Thank you for the different and easy recipe.
Chris Scheuer says
You're very resourceful, Joan! So happy you enjoyed this sauce. We love it and I love that it's so darn EASY!
Barbara Ruka says
Oh my gosh, just made this! Perfect texture and consistancy! What flavor! Very silky and smooth. Not grainy at all! Literally had it done in 5 minutes. Can't wait to put this over some ice cream for national ice cream day! Perfection!
Maria says
What is half and half
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Maria, half and half is a combination of milk and heavy cream. If you live in the UK, it would be a 2:1 ratio of pouring cream and full-fat milk. You could also make this with straight pouring cream.
Lauren says
Thank God for Pinterest! The sauce is so delicious! Glad to have found your site too!!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much, Lauren. So happy you enjoyed it and welcome to The Café!
Winnie says
Easy! Made it tonight using microwave for 1/2 n 1/2. I did use a quart jar & I wouldn't recommend anything smaller. Maybe could have heated it once more after putting it all together but came out really good. Minute bits of chocolate not melted but enjoyable. WI used a scale for measurement of dark chocolate chips, only chocolate in the house, and that worked well. Will definitely make it again and share. Teenage grandchildren will have no problem making it.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks, Winnie, so glad you took the time to share a comment!
Peggy says
I have made this several times using two Lindt Bars (total 7 oz). I usually use either 85% or 90% and it makes the most w nderful thick hot fudge sauce. I do usually have to thin it a bit and I do add about 1 Tbs extra sugar to account for the extra weight of chocolate. Thanks for an easy WONDERFUL recipe!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much for sharing your results with us Peggy!
Beth Portwood says
Hi Chris, just found your fabulous blog when I was looking for a really good choc fudge sauce. I am in the UK - Hampstead, London - and used single cream instead of half and half, which as you know we don't have. I also used Lindt Chilli Chocolate. Apart from these I followed the recipe carefully, It was very e.... and tastes wonderful, however it is quite runny - it is chilling in the fridge as I write but is still runny. I blended for 2 and a half minutes and boiled the cream in the microwave for 90 secs. How can I thicken it up so it looks like yours? Hope you can help, many thanks, Beth.
Chris Scheuer says
Wait till it's completely chilled Beth (a couple of hours) that should help thicken it. If it's still thin, melt one to two ounces of chocolate, combine it with the sauce in the blender and chill it again.
Janine says
I just made up a batch and it really is great. But I hate to clean up my blender, and hate to waste chocolate so here is an even easier and faster method. I nuked 1/2 c half&half in a pint canning jar (any heatable jar with a lid would work, I have a cute vintage one) until bubbly, almost 3 min. You could also set the jar in a pan of boiling water. Meanwhile I broke up a bar and a half of ghiradeli 60% dark and got out butter and extracts. I used some coffee extract that I had just bought in addition to vanilla. I added the chocolate, 2 tbsp butter, 1+ tsp extracts, and skipped the sugar. I stirred it vigorously and had to reheat a bit to get everything to melt together.
Then I poured some over Hagen Dazs vanilla ice cream! Wow! The only cleanup is to lick the spoon!
By itself the sauce is somewhat bitter and I can taste the extract alcohol, but on the ice cream it was plenty sweet. The sauce may be more runny but it thickened up when it got cold. I suspect it will get thicker upon reheating. I'll add more comments if anything weird happens.
Chris Scheuer says
Great idea!!
Judy Davis says
Just made this only had Nestle chips. Was so good and easy too. Kids loved it. Wasn't any left to save. Thank you
Chris Scheuer says
You're so welcome Judy! It's a real keeper, isn't it?
Wendy says
Yum! Made this in 2 minutes! Extra star 6 for how easy it was!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Wendy! Glad you enjoyed it!
Joyce says
I tried to give the hot fudge sauce 5 STARS...what's up with that? I'll try again. 🙂