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Updated July 2026
July 25th is National Hot Fudge Sundae Day (November 11th is National Sundae Day).
How to celebrate? With a DIY hot fudge sundae bar!
Every ice cream flavor works well with fudge sauce, so you can stick with vanilla or offer as many flavors as you like.
You don’t need sundae dishes, although anything glass shows off the dessert better than ceramic bowls.
If you don’t have enough bowls, see if you can borrow some. The bowls can be mixed designs; in fact, trendy restaurants often use mismatched plates, bowls and glasses.
If you don’t have pretty bowls, consider wine glasses. The easiest option is 9-ounce hard plastic party cups.
> The difference between hot fudge and chocolate sauce.
> Sundae bar ingredients.
> Beverage pairings.
Elsewhere on The Nibble:
> The history of the ice cream sundae.
> The history of hot fudge sauce.
> The history of ice cream.
> The different types of ice cream and frozen desserts: a photo glossary.
> The year’s 50+ ice cream holidays.
> The year’s 8 ice cream drink holidays.
[6] Is it hot fudge or chocolate sauce? The answer follows (photo © Sugar Plum Chocolates).
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOT FUDGE & CHOCOLATE SAUCE
While many people—even those in the industry of making it or developing recipes—use the terms interchangeably, there is a difference.
Hot fudge is thicker, richer, and solid, much like actual fudge at room temperature. You need to warm it to pour it; hence, “hot” fudge. And that’s what’s in the photo above: warmed to be pourable.
Chocolate sauce is thinner and pourable at room temperature.
HOT FUDGE SUNDAE BAR INGREDIENTS
Ice cream
Fudge sauce, warmed
Whipped cream
Maraschino cherries or brandied cherries
Plus:
Garnishes Of Choice
Bananas
Berries
Brownies, blondies, or pound cake (cubed)
Candies: Andes Mints, crushed toffee or brittle, mini peanut butter cups, sprinkles, etc.
Chocolate chips or other flavors (butterscotch, mint, peanut, etc.)
Cookies or cookie crumbs
Nuts
Waffles, whole or cubed
Preparation
1. SET out the ingredients plus scoops, spoons, napkins and service plates (to catch drips).
2. SET the fudge sauce over a tea candle or other burner to keep warm and pourable.
3. GET ready to Instagram!
BEVERAGE PAIRINGS FOR HOT FUDGE & OTHER CHOCOLATE ICE CREAM SUNDAES
Non-Alcoholic Beverages: cherry or cream soda, chocolate milk or mocha, cold milk, espresso or macchiato, iced coffee, root beer or cola.
Non-Alcoholic-Adults: iced Earl Grey tea, ginger tea, mint tea; sparkling water; Italian soda.
Beers: chocolate stout/porter, milk stout, raspberry lambic.
Cocktails: chocolate or espresso Martini, White Russian (Kahlúa and cream).
Liqueurs: amaretto, Baileys or other Irish cream liqueur, chocolate liqueur, nut liqueur (hazelnut/Frangelico, nocino/green walnut, pistachio, or other nut).
Wines: ruby or tawny Port.
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[1] The classic from the soda fountain (photo © Kelly Cline | iStock Photo).
[2] Pretty bowls work fine (photo © The Wholesome Junk Food Cookbook).
[3] Chocolate on chocolate (photo © Viktor Hanacek | Pic Jumbo).
[4] What can beat a sundae built on a blondie, brownie, or waffle (photo © Very Best Baking)?
[5] Chocolate stout, which makes a great adult ice cream float, can also accompany a hot fudge sundae. See more beverage pairings below (photo © The Nibble).
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