Hot Stuff - Hot Fudge History - KitchenLane (2024)

By Nancy Baggett 3 Comments

Hot Stuff - Hot Fudge History - KitchenLane (1)

Real hot fudge sauce is different from ordinary chocolate sauce in that it’s made like old-fashioned chocolate fudge. In fact, hot fudge sauce is just a fudge that never sets! Cream or milk, sugar, and butter are slowly boiled down until slightly thickened and light caramel-colored. This boiling-down process not only gives the sauce it’s great gooey texture, but also contributes that special “fudgey” taste to the chocolate.

It’s a good bet that the first hot fudge sauces resulted from early fudge failures. Fudge-making—a traditional American activity—started catching on at several New England women’s colleges in the late 19th century. Sometimes, when the mixture wasn’t cooked enough, it wouldn’t set and had to be eaten with a spoon. By the 20th century, people began deliberately undercooking fudge so they could serve it warm over ice cream, often on banana split sundaes or other soda fountaion treats. Today, hot fudge sauce recipes almost always include corn syrup, which contains anti-setting properties that prevent fudge from turning into candy regardless of the cooking time. Click here for my hot fudge recipe; it’s from my All-American Dessert Book.

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Comments

  1. Hot Stuff - Hot Fudge History - KitchenLane (4)Nancy Baggett says

    Well, I really try to research the history of recipes. In this case, the answer is pretty simple–the authentic sauce is made the same way as classic fudge–except it doesn’t set.

  2. Hot Stuff - Hot Fudge History - KitchenLane (5)skaizun says

    I scoured the ‘net searching for an explanation as to the “hot” of a “hot fudge sauce,” and yours was the only one that mentioned it! Thank you! 🙂

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Hot Stuff - Hot Fudge History - KitchenLane (2024)

FAQs

Why is Sanders hot fudge hard to find? ›

In the fall of 2022, they paused production because of "manufacturing challenges and extremely high demand" for the toppings, made at the Clinton Township plant. They were also no longer shipped to grocery stores.

What's the difference between hot fudge and chocolate syrup? ›

Ingredients: Hot fudge sauce is typically made with chocolate, sugar, butter, and cream or milk, while chocolate syrup is made with cocoa powder, sugar, and water or milk. Consistency: Hot fudge sauce has a thicker and creamier consistency than chocolate syrup, which tends to be thinner and more liquidy.

Why is hot fudge so good? ›

In fact, hot fudge sauce is just a fudge that never sets! Cream or milk, sugar, and butter are slowly boiled down until slightly thickened and light caramel-colored. This boiling-down process not only gives the sauce it's great gooey texture, but also contributes that special “fudgey” taste to the chocolate.

What makes hot fudge taste different? ›

Hot fudge is made by boiling together cream, sugar, chocolate, and sometimes butter—the traditional ingredients for fudge—into what is essentially just an undercooked, unset version of the confection. It differs from plain old chocolate sauce by virtue of being gooier and more viscous.

What happened to Sanders Candy Company? ›

In 2021, Kar's and Sanders were united under the corporate name Second Nature Brands, acquired in 2022 by UK-based private equity company CapVest Limited.

Did Sanders quit making bumpy cake? ›

Sanders announced this week that production of their Bumpy Cakes will resume soon, now that they've found new partners to produce them. Production of the Bumpy Cakes were put on pause in 2023 after Livonia bakery Minnie Marie Bakers Inc. -- Sanders' longtime partner -- suddenly closed.

How long will homemade hot fudge last in the fridge? ›

Hot Fudge Recipe

Let cool for 20 to 30 minutes before using (it will thicken as it cools). Store in a jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To reheat, microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute until it's pourable but still thick.

Why is fudge called fudge? ›

The exact origin and inventor of this delicious confection are hotly debated. However, many believe the first batch of fudge was created by accident when American bakers “fudged” a batch of caramels. Hence the name “fudge.”

Is hot fudge the same as ganache? ›

Although the two are made from similar ingredients, they'll wind up with different consistencies. Ganache might solidify slightly but will remain smooth as a filling or icing. Fudge, meanwhile, will be soft enough to easily bite into while being solid enough to hold its shape after it has time to set up.

Who invented hot fudge? ›

Summary. Ice cream sundaes--ice cream topped with flavored syrup--were first referred to as "soda-less sodas." C.C. Brown, a Los Angeles ice cream parlor operator, is generally credited for introducing the hot fudge sundae in 1906.

What happened to Trader Joe's hot fudge? ›

Trader Joe's Is Discontinuing Its Fudge Sauce And Fans Aren't Pleased. There's always a new and exciting product with flashy packaging sitting on the shelf at your favorite grocery store that's just begging you to take it home and give it a try.

What is the secret to good fudge? ›

Valuable tips for successful fudge
  • Don't stir during cooking. Fudge can be cooked on the stove or in the microwave. ...
  • Avoid crystallization. During cooking, sugar crystals can stick to the sides of the pan. ...
  • Let cool before beating. After being cooked, the sugar must crystallize again to create fudge. ...
  • Beat the mixture.

Why did my hot fudge separate? ›

Fudge is basically an emulsion between sugar, butter and milk. If the butter gets too hot, it can separate, causing the fudge to become oily on top. This is easy to prevent by monitoring the temperature with a candy thermometer, but separated fudge can also be fixed.

Why is my hot fudge sauce gritty? ›

Be sure to serve warm, and, when reheating, reheat only the amount of sauce you intend to use; repeated heating and chilling can make the sauce grainy.

Why is my hot fudge too thick? ›

If the sauce seems too thick, you can always thin it out with some extra half and half. The sauce will get thicker when chilled in the refrigerator but will thin out nicely when it's warmed.

Is Sanders chocolate only in Michigan? ›

Started by Fred Sanders in Detroit, Michigan, the brand is now owned by Morley Candy Makers, Inc., with its own rich history dating back to 1919. Sanders products can be found in multiple retailers across the United States, at Sanders Chocolate & Ice Cream Shoppes in Michigan, or online at www.sanderscandy.com.

Who bought Sanders? ›

In 2018, Sanders® became a division of Kar's Nuts, a leading manufacturer of nut and trail mix snacks with its own rich Detroit history dating back to 1933. Sanders® products are currently sold in leading retailers nationally and online at sanderscandy.com. It also operates 2 Sanders® Chocolate & Ice Cream Shoppes.

Where is the best fudge made in United States? ›

While fudge was not invented on Mackinac Island, it most certainly – and most deliciously – was perfected here.

Why is fudge so hard to make? ›

Making fudge can be a challenging endeavor, requiring precision and attention to detail to achieve the perfect texture and consistency. The process of making fudge involves a delicate balance of cooking, cooling, and beating, and the smallest mistake can result in fudge that is too soft or too hard.

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