Brownie Sundae

This brownie sundae is proof that sometimes, there isn’t anything better than a classic. Rich, fudgy brownies meet cool ice cream and equally rich hot fudge sauce in a timeless dish that brings back memories of sports games, celebrations or just because. No frills needed.

Start sweet new traditions with your family and friends with this hot fudge brownie sundae recipe. Maybe it’s the way a baseball game ends or a congratulations after a big day. Or maybe it’s just a cozy dish to end the night.

While we love how chocolate forward it is, the brownie sundae recipe is simple enough that it offers endless opportunities for customization to delight every palate. Happiness on a plate, achieved.

Brownie Sundae Ingredients

Brownies:

• Butter: To get fudgy brownies, butter is key. It lends itself to a softer, richer dessert and accentuates the chocolate’s flavor.
• Semisweet chocolate: We use semisweet because it strikes a good balance of sweetness and bitterness. If you prefer a deeper chocolate flavor, you can swap in bittersweet, which has more cacao (what cocoa is made from) and less sugar.
• Eggs: Eggs act as an emulsifier and bind dry and wet ingredients together. Eggs also help brownies rise and contribute to their rich flavor.
• Sugar: Along with sweetness, sugar plays another key role in making brownies: It helps them become moist and can keep them softer.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract helps lift the chocolate flavor, providing a little additional depth to your brownies without making them taste like vanilla.
• All-purpose flour: We opt for all-purpose flour here because we find that it results in a moister brownie (sense a trend?). If you want to get technical, it also has an ideal amount of protein for creating a dish like a brownie.
• Chopped walnuts (optional): Walnuts add a healthy crunch to an indulgent dessert, but they can easily be swapped out as desired.

Hot Fudge Sauce:

• Heavy whipping cream: This is the trick to a delightfully rich hot fudge sauce. Heavy whipping cream will result in a thicker, more luscious final product.
• Sugar: Like with the brownies, the sugar here helps boost the texture of the fudge sauce, making it thicker.
• Butter: Butter will also help thicken the sauce and give it a nice gloss. You can use salted or unsalted; your choice will have a subtle effect on the flavor, so pick based on your preference.
• Baking cocoa: Also known as cocoa powder, this ingredient will lend the deep, chocolate taste you’re craving. It’s a staple in most hot fudge sauce recipes, so we don’t recommend replacing.
• Vanilla ice cream: Either store-bought or homemade vanilla ice cream works here. This will be drenched in your hot fudge sauce.
• Whipped cream and maraschino cherries (optional): You might as well go big. These toppings are quintessential, adding lighter flavors to the rich chocolate.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the chocolate mixture for the brownies

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a small heavy saucepan, melt the butter and chocolate for the brownies over low heat; stir until smooth. Let it cool.

Step 2: Make the brownie mixture

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar for the brownie recipe on low speed until combined. Then, beat on medium-high until thickened and lemon-colored, about five minutes. Beat in the vanilla and the chocolate mixture. Fold in the flour and salt until just blended—the batter will be thick. Fold in the walnuts, if desired.

Step 3: Bake the brownies

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

Transfer the brownie mixture to a greased 13×9-inch baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool the brownies on a wire rack for 15 minutes.

Step 4: Start your sauce

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

While the brownies are cooling, begin your hot fudge sauce by combining the cream, sugar and butter in a small saucepan. Cook and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Bring the mixture to a boil, and don’t stir. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for two minutes. Cool for three minutes.

Step 5: Get fudgy

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

Place your cocoa in a heat-proof bowl. Carefully whisk the hot liquid mixture into the cocoa until smooth (do not scrape the pan).

Step 6: Build your sundaes

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

Cut the brownies into squares; serve with ice cream and hot fudge sauce. Garnish with whipped cream and cherries, if desired.

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

Brownie Sundae Variations

• Switch up the ice cream: It’s hard to go wrong with your ice cream choice. Stay on trend with chocolate, freshen it up with strawberry or opt for one of the more creative flavors in your grocer’s freezer. As long as the main flavor goes well with chocolate, it will be delicious.
• Get saucy: You can swap in your sauce of choice for the hot fudge, depending on your mood, like salted caramel sauce or a butter pecan sauce.
• Play with toppings: As you can tell, you can really make these brownie sundaes your own. Add crushed cookies, crushed candy bars, sprinkles or fresh fruit (like strawberries) on top. You could go tropical, with shredded coconut and candied pineapple. If you like it sweeter, try bits of toffee or mini marshmallows.

How long do brownie sundaes last?

Once assembled, you’ll want to enjoy your sundae immediately. However, you can store the different parts of the dish separately. Brownies can be left in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or in the fridge for up to a week. Place your hot fudge sauce in an airtight container in the fridge; it will be good for up to two weeks. Of course, return the ice cream to the freezer.

Can you make brownie chocolate sundaes ahead of time?

You can make the different components ahead of time (see above for how long each lasts). Reheat the hot fudge sauce and the brownie prior to serving, for optimal results.

Can you freeze brownie sundaes?

Yes, you can. Just wrap your brownies in plastic or put them in a plastic bag, then store them in the freezer for up to three months. In an airtight container, hot fudge sauce can last for up to two months in the freezer.

Brownie Sundae Tips

Julia Hartbeck for Taste of Home

How can I reheat my brownies?

To reheat brownies for this brownie sundae recipe, you can microwave them quickly (start with 10 to 15 seconds). If your brownies have been frozen, thaw them before reheating. They can be thawed overnight in the fridge or on the counter for a few hours.

Can I use box brownie mix?

To cut down on bake time, you can definitely use a boxed brownie mix in place of making the brownies from scratch.

How do I keep my brownies moist?

Make sure you’re storing them in an airtight container; exposure to air will make them dry out. You can also add a slice of bread into their container to help maintain moisture (the brownies draw on the moisture from the bread).

Can I make these brownie sundaes gluten-free?

You sure can. Just use a gluten-free brownie recipe instead, like our gluten-free peanut butter blondies. The rest is naturally gluten-free (although always double-check the ingredients in store-bought ice cream).