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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  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

Has Sanders stopped making hot fudge? ›

On Wednesday, the Clinton Township-based company announced that manufacturing of the iconic caramel and fudge toppings has resumed. The famous and much-loved toppings have been scarce and hard to come by since last fall because of a production pause.

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

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's the difference between chocolate sauce and chocolate fudge? ›

The main difference is the texture. Hot fudge is thicker and more rich while chocolate sauce is thinner and more pourable. Chocolate sauce stays sauce in the refrigerator, while hot fudge gets cold and thick…like fudge.

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.

Who bought Sanders hot fudge? ›

That happened shortly after Sanders' owner, Second Nature Foods, was acquired by CapVest, a London-based private equity firm. Second Nature blamed manufacturing challenges and extremely high demand for its decision to pull the fan favorite from distribution.

What happened to Sanders Candy Company? ›

CBS Detroit - Sanders Candy, a quintessential Detroit brand since 1875, known for its caramel toppings, chocolates, and bumpy cakes is the latest company that has had to rethink its business model from COVID-19.

Is fudge healthier than chocolate? ›

Fudge typically contains more sugar than chocolate, so it may not be the best choice for those looking to limit their sugar intake. On the other hand, dark chocolate is a good source of antioxidants and can provide health benefits when consumed in moderation.

What makes fudge taste like fudge? ›

Fudge incorporates sugar, milk, butter, and other ingredients such as cocoa for chocolate fudge. The chocolatier then heats these products together until they melt. After this, the mixture is beaten during the cooling process. Think of fudge as a food consisting of crystallized sugar.

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.

Should hot fudge be refrigerated? ›

So to recap, it's best to store proper fudge at room temperature. Keeping it in the fridge takes out all its moisture, drying it out. Homemade fudge is best in the fridge. No matter where you store it, the goal is to protect the fudge from exposure to the elements so airtight containers are best!

What is the shelf life of hot fudge? ›

Unopened store-bought hot fudge topping can last up to one year past the 'best by' date on the packaging if properly stored. Once opened, you should aim to consume it within a month, although it can last up to three months in the refrigerator.

Why did my fudge fail? ›

If your fudge is tough, hard, or grainy, then you may have made one of several mistakes: You may have overcooked it, beaten it too long, or neglected to cool it to the proper temperature. Don't throw out the whole pan, because you may be able to melt the fudge down and try again.

Does Sonic have hot fudge? ›

Our Hot Fudge Sundaes start with creamy, vanilla soft serve swirled together with hot fudge, and finished with whipped topping and a cherry.

How do you pronounce Sanders fudge? ›

Is it pronounced Sanders or Saunders? Many people have referred to us as Saunders for years, but we actually call ourselves Sanders. If it's difficult to kill the old habit of calling us Saunders, don't worry; we won't correct you! How can I track my order?

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