Get ready to experience dessert perfection. These Hot Fudge Sundae Brownies are the absolute pinnacle of indulgence, combining deeply fudgy, chewy brownies with a rich, velvety homemade hot fudge sauce, creamy vanilla ice cream, and all your favorite sundae toppings. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a celebration in a bowl, guaranteed to make any occasion feel special. If you’ve been searching for a truly show-stopping dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make, you’ve found it.
We’re ditching the box mix and creating a from-scratch brownie that’s dense, moist, and packed with pure chocolate flavor. Paired with a simple yet luxurious hot fudge sauce, it’s a combination that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Hot Fudge Sundae Brownies Recipe
- Unbelievably Fudgy: We use both melted chocolate and cocoa powder for a complex, deep chocolate flavor and an ultra-fudgy texture.
- Simple Homemade Hot Fudge: Forget the jarred stuff! This homemade sauce is silky, rich, and comes together in minutes with just a few pantry staples.
- Crowd-Pleasing Classic: This is the kind of dessert that brings pure joy. It’s perfect for birthdays, holidays, or just a Tuesday night treat.
- Completely Customizable: Set up a toppings bar and let everyone build their dream sundae. The possibilities are endless!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, high-quality ingredients to create a truly spectacular dessert. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Fudgy Brownies
- Unsalted Butter: The foundation for a rich, flavorful brownie.
- Granulated & Brown Sugar: A mix of both provides moisture, chewiness, and the perfect level of sweetness.
- Large Eggs: Binds the ingredients and adds to the rich texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the chocolate flavor.
- Unsweetened Chocolate: Melted into the batter for that deep, fudgy base. Choose a good quality baking chocolate.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure without making the brownies cakey.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds another layer of intense chocolate flavor.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness perfectly.
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For the Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce
- Heavy Cream: Creates the silky, luxurious texture.
- Light Corn Syrup: Prevents crystallization and keeps the sauce smooth.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: The star of the show for a rich, chocolatey sauce.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: Melts into the sauce for extra richness and gloss.
- Butter & Vanilla Extract: Added at the end for flavor and shine.
For the Sundae Toppings
- Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: The classic, creamy counterpart to the warm brownie.
- Whipped Cream: For a light and airy finish.
- Chopped Nuts: Pecans or walnuts add a fantastic crunch. For a similar nutty crunch, try these chocolate pecan turtle clusters.
- Maraschino Cherries: The iconic finishing touch!
How to Make Hot Fudge Sundae Brownies
Follow these simple steps to create the most incredible brownie sundaes right in your own kitchen. We’ll make the brownies, whip up the sauce, and then assemble it all into a masterpiece.
Step 1: Make the Fudgy Brownies
- Prep Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the brownies out later.
- Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter and unsweetened chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Whisk the granulated sugar and brown sugar into the cooled chocolate mixture. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan.
Step 2: Prepare the Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce
- Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream, corn syrup, cocoa powder, and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, whisking until the sugar and cocoa have dissolved.
- Simmer: Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has slightly thickened.
- Finish the Sauce: Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the dark chocolate chips, butter, and vanilla extract until everything is melted and the sauce is glossy and smooth.
Step 3: Assemble the Perfect Sundae
- Cut the Brownies: Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brownies from the pan. Cut them into nine even squares.
- Build Your Sundae: Place a warm brownie in a bowl. Top with a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
- Drizzle and Garnish: Drizzle a liberal amount of the warm hot fudge sauce over the ice cream. Finish with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of chopped nuts, and a maraschino cherry on top. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Brownie Sundaes
- Don’t Overbake the Brownies: For that perfect fudgy texture, it’s better to slightly underbake than overbake. The brownies will continue to set as they cool.
- Use Quality Chocolate: The flavor of your brownies and sauce depends heavily on the quality of your chocolate. Use a brand you love to eat.
- Warm the Brownies: Before assembling, gently warm the brownies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. The contrast between the warm brownie and cold ice cream is what makes this dessert so irresistible.
- Serve the Sauce Warm: Hot fudge sauce is best served warm for that perfect drizzling consistency. You can gently reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Customization and Variations
While the classic is hard to beat, feel free to get creative with your Hot Fudge Sundae Brownies!
- Different Ice Cream: Try chocolate, strawberry, or even mint chocolate chip ice cream.
- Sauce It Up: Add a drizzle of caramel or peanut butter sauce along with the hot fudge.
- Extra Mix-Ins: Add chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even crushed Oreos to your brownie batter. If you love Oreos, you should try these delicious mint Oreo truffles.
- Fruity Twist: Top with fresh berries like raspberries or sliced strawberries for a fresh contrast.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Fudge Sundae Brownies
Yes, the hot fudge sauce is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare it up to a week in advance and keep it in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Gently reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving to restore its smooth, pourable consistency.
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, you can substitute your favorite boxed brownie mix for the from-scratch version. Simply prepare the brownies according to the package directions and then proceed with the homemade hot fudge sauce and assembly steps.
A crinkly, paper-thin top is the hallmark of a great brownie! The key is to dissolve the sugar completely into the wet ingredients. Whisking the sugar thoroughly with the eggs and warm butter-chocolate mixture helps create that signature crust during baking.
Store leftover, untopped brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Store leftover hot fudge sauce separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
For the best flavor, use a good quality baking chocolate (around 60% cacao) for the brownies and a combination of unsweetened cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips for the sauce. This creates a deep, rich, and complex chocolate flavor.
More Decadent Desserts To Try
If you loved this recipe, you’re sure to enjoy some of our other favorite chocolate desserts. For a rich and creamy option, try this No-Bake German Chocolate Cheesecake (coming soon). Or, for a classic combination, you can’t go wrong with these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes (coming soon).
Recipe Card
Hot Fudge Sundae Brownies: The Ultimate Decadent Treat
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the unsalted butter and unsweetened chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Whisk the granulated sugar and brown sugar into the cooled chocolate mixture. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Let the brownies cool completely in the pan.
- In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream, corn syrup, cocoa powder, and brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, whisking until dissolved.
- Let the sauce simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in the dark chocolate chips, butter, and vanilla extract until the sauce is glossy and smooth.
- Cut the cooled brownies into nine squares.
- Place a warm brownie in a bowl and top with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Drizzle generously with warm hot fudge sauce and garnish with whipped cream, chopped nuts, and a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: The hot fudge sauce can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently before serving.
Tip 3: Don't overbake the brownies! Pull them out when a toothpick has moist crumbs for the ultimate fudgy texture.
Share Your Creation!
We know you’ll love making and eating these incredible Hot Fudge Sundae Brownies. They are truly the perfect dessert for any chocolate lover. If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and share a photo of your masterpiece on Pinterest! We can’t wait to see your amazing sundaes.
