This luscious Keto Chocolate Sauce is smooth and creamy and full of rich, fudgy flavor. Drizzle it over your favorite keto ice cream for an amazing dessert experience!
Here we are in the dead of winter and I am craving ice cream. A big bowl of keto ice cream topped with ribbons of this luscious keto hot fudge sauce. It’s one of my favorite things in all the world.
You know those people who are always complaining that they are cold? I am one of those people. And yet, I could eat ice cream with hot fudge sauce any time of year. It doesn’t matter if it’s high summer and broiling, or dead winter and freezing. A sugar-free dessert like this makes me happy!
But it’s not just for ice cream. This keto chocolate sauce is so darn good, you can drizzle it over keto brownies, spread it on some keto chocolate chip cookies, or spoon it over keto cheesecake. Or you could just eat it with a spoon!
Why you will love this recipe
I first created this hot fudge sauce way back in 2015, and it was delicious. But much has changed in the intervening years and I wanted to see if I could make it better. Do I even need to tell you that it was a success?
This sauce is just as thick and velvety and chocolatey as it ever was. It pours over that ice cream, melting it just slightly as it goes, and becoming more fudgy as it cools against the frosty dessert.
But I also made it a little bit lighter in calories, and it stays gooier and softer. I switched out the sweetener so it no longer recrystallizes as it cools. And it’s easier to reheat.
And the best part is that you can adapt it for interesting flavors. Consider mint extract instead of vanilla. Or orange extract! Or coffee, or raspberry, or caramel. Can you see why I am craving ice cream?
Reader Reviews
“Very good recipe. I made this tonight and served it on top of low-carb vanilla ice cream with toasted pecans. My teenage daughter and I both thought it was delish!” — Tanya P.
“THE. BEST. FUDGE. SAUCE. EVER! I frankly eat it like pudding.” — Sheila B.
“Oh my goodness, I have now me this over and over. I keep the leftovers in the refrigerator. Swirl this in some low carb ice cream (no matter the flavor) it is to die for! Thank you!!!!!” — Nancy
Ingredient Notes
- Heavy whipping cream: This is the creamy base of the hot fudge sauce. You could also use coconut cream.
- Water: I used a little water to help thin the sauce and reduce the calories and fat a bit. Your ice cream provides plenty of that anyway!
- Allulose sweetener: The sweetener you use determines the final consistency of the sauce. You can use erythritol, but it will solidify and recrystallize as it cools. Allulose makes it more fudgy, and it stays creamy (although it still firms up).
- Butter: This helps the sauce thicken and also adds creaminess.
- Unsweetened chocolate: Make sure to choose chocolate that is 100% cacao, with no sweeteners at all. It is lower in carbs and also helps the fudge thicken and set properly.
- Espresso powder: This is optional but it really brings out the chocolate flavor.
- Pantry staples: Vanilla extract and salt.
Step by Step Directions
1. Add the wet ingredients: Combine the cream and water together a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the sweetener and butter.
2. Simmer the mixture: Bring to a simmer, whisking until the sweetener dissolves. Cook 5 minutes, whisking frequently. Do not let it boil.
3. Add the chocolate: Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate and let sit 3 minutes, to melt. Add the vanilla extract, espresso powder, and salt, and whisk until smooth.
4. Use as desired: Drizzle over your favorite low carb ice cream or use as chocolate fondue. It can also be used to glaze cakes or donuts.
5. To rewarm: Place the desired amount of sauce in a bowl and microwave on 50% power in 20 second increments. You can also add the sauce to a heat-safe bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, stirring frequently.
Tips for Success
As mentioned above, the sweetener you use makes all the difference. Allulose keeps this keto chocolate sauce softer and it won’t recrystallize. You can use other sweeteners but the consistency won’t be quite the same.
I prefer unsweetened chocolate for recipes like this, so I can control the sweetness and the consistency. Many sugar-free chocolate brands contain erythritol, and that will change the outcome.
I often add espresso powder to chocolate recipes to deepen and enhance the chocolate flavor. It does not make the recipes taste like coffee or mocha in small quantities, but it does bring out the best notes of the chocolate.
Different brands of unsweetened chocolate can affect how thick the sauce is. If you find your sauce not thickening up as it cools, whisk in a little cocoa powder (1 to 2 teaspoons). Alternatively, if it’s too thick, return to low heat and whisk in some cream. Different brands of unsweetened chocolate can
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a very different recipe than my Sugar-Free Chocolate Syrup. That recipe is made with water and cocoa powder, and is a thinner syrup similar to Hershey’s. It’s great for beverages and cocktails, although it works as an ice cream topping too. This Keto Hot Fudge Sauce is cream based and made with real chocolate, so it has a richer flavor and a velvety consistency. Both are great recipes!
Store this sugar-free chocolate sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week. It It will firm up and become more like soft fudge in the fridge. To use, gently warm until melty.
This keto hot fudge sauce recipe has 3.9g of carbs and 1.9g of fiber per serving. That comes to 2.0g net carbs for 2 tablespoons.
Serve this sugar free hot fudge sauce over:
Keto Chocolate Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup allulose sweetener
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon espresso powder optional
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Whisk the cream and water together in a measuring cup. Pour into a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the sweetener and butter.
- Bring to a simmer, whisking until the sweetener dissolves. Cook 5 minutes, whisking frequently. Do not let it boil.
- Remove from heat and add the chopped chocolate and let sit 3 minutes, to melt. Add the vanilla extract, espresso powder, and salt and whisk until smooth.
- Drizzle over your favorite low carb ice cream or use as chocolate fondue. It can also be used to glaze cakes or donuts.
Michelle says
It is amazing! Very easy to make. The only thing I did different was use a little less swerve. Thank you!
Christi Gates-Hale says
I ran into the same issue with it being thin but I used stevia sweetened milk chocolate chips. I just added more chips until it got thick enough to drizzle over my keto cheesecake. This chocolate sauce is so amazing!
shannon says
I tried this tonight…. love it. I added a teaspoon of cinnamon (since it works so good in chocolate cake. I’m letting it cool a little more before trying it on my ice cream but I had a taste and it’s great. I didn’t have powdered swerve so I combine regular with allulose (of course it required a little more using the granulated but it turned out lovely. Thank you. the other recipes I found are a bit more complicated than I’m looking for.
Having to me so many more things from scratch doing Keto I look for simple recipes when I can find them. I also made your no-bake chocolate cheesecake which was also terrific and I will be making it again.
Carolyn says
Glad you liked it!
Mia says
Hi, a bit confused on the net carb count. 3.7 Carbs, 1.47 Fibre… Shouldn’t that be 2.23 net carbs not 1.23 net carbs? or am I missing something?
Carolyn says
Yes, it’s very possible that I did the calculations incorrectly.
Mia says
Thanks, just didn’t want to miscalculate. It looks amazing though and can’t wait to try it. Thank you for all your wonderful recipes.
Margaret says
I didn’t see if anyone asked whether you could sub in coconut milk for cream, and whether it would be just as yummy?0
Carolyn says
You can. Whether or not it’s as yummy is up to your tastebuds! 😉
Susan Gautier says
This is so delicious! I substituted cocoa powder (9 Tbs) and it was thick and rich but I forgot to whisk the cocoa powder with the Swerve so it was a bit challenging to work it in but it turned out great. I also substituted granular Swerve for the powdered. Still perfect! It thickened a lot as it waited in the pan for dessert. I warned it up a few minutes on the stovetop.
Thank you for having such great reliable recipes. I’ve found out the hard way that not all published recipes turn out right. But yours are dependably tasty.
Nicole S Devrieze says
Does this thicken when cooled? Im looking for something to spread on top of a pie.
Carolyn says
Yes, it certainly does. But search my blog for chocolate ganache and you will find an even better recipe.
Patti says
Made this last night, turned out nice. I had a little problem with the chocolate sauce as I only had Lilly darkbaking chips. Just added some cocoa powder and it thickenednicely, just wasn’t real dark . Thanks for a great recipe!!! Wish I could post a picture of it
Christi says
Carolyn, would it be possible to use Lilly’s chocolate to make this? I have your brownie cheesecake in the oven but no unsweetened chocolate.
Carolyn says
Yes, but it doesn’t thicken up as much as unsweetened so you may want a bit of cocoa powder in there too.
Sheila M Bassett says
THE. BEST. FUDGE. SAUCE. EVER! I frankly eat it like pudding
maureen says
Mine is very thick and dark just like hot fudge- however, its not as sweet as i like, almost a tiny bit bitter. I used the correct ingredients but the only 100% unsweetend chocolate I found was Bakers- the bar kind. I am guessing that is the culprit? I will try to find Lindt 90% and try again or just add more swerve to it..
Carolyn says
Well, you may simply like it sweeter but if it’s thick then that is indeed the Baker’s chocolate. It’s not as high quality as Lindt or Ghirardelli.
Kathy says
I have to say I don’t normally comment on a recipe; however, this has to be one of my most favorite low carb recipes I have made. To all of those who have problems with consistency my advice would be to whisk, whisk and keep whisking. And follow ingredients exactly! By the way, I fooled my diabetic husband with this topping on carb smart vanilla ice cream and he thought he was having a real hot fudge sundae! I had to show him the container I put it in in the fridge, then he wanted more! I just scoop out a spoonful or two and microwave it about 6 seconds and it has a very nice topping consistency. Thank you for such a wonderful treat!
Carolyn says
I am so happy to hear that. Glad it is helping your husband.
Rhonda says
Ohhh, yeah! This is totally awesome. I’ve made the sauce just to nosh on it when the chocolate craving hits!!! 😉
Karen McGuffin says
Is it whipping cream or heavy whipping cream? Was neutered and the whipping cream was like choc milk and I did use 100% choc.
Carolyn says
I always use heavy whipping cream but they are so close in fat content, it shouldn’t matter.
Jen says
Hmmm, well, I used the exact sweetener and Ghiradelli unsweetened chocolate and it looks like dark chocolate milk, not thick at all. Followed the recipe to a T. 🙁
Jen says
Good news — I refrigerated it for a while and it thickened and looks just like the picture. And tastes…..amazing! I put it on some of my homemade almost-sugar free peppermint ice cream. I love how it thickens a little more when it’s on the ice cream. The best.
Doreen says
Love this! Have you ever tried Nick’s keto ice cream? I think it’s relatively new. Fabulous flavors – the best keto ice cream I’ve ever tried. (It’s Swedish.) Even their Vegan Keto flavors are fabulous. In some stores, but they also ship (free if you buy 12 pints) and they frequently have specials. Any one of their flavors plus this recipe – I’m in heaven. Can enjoy ice cream, again. Thank you!
Amanda Matasick says
Can this be kept in the refrigerator? And if so, how long will it keep?
Carolyn says
It can be but it will harden and be like fudge. RE-warm it gently. It can keep for 5 days or so.
Baila says
Hi I would love to make this choc sauce, it sounds amazing. I’m just a little confused, u write sugar free, and all the whipped topping I see has sugar. Which one do u use that is sugar free?
Carolyn says
It’s not whipped topping. It’s heavy whipping cream – the liquid cream itself which is just really thick cream.
Judy says
Just made again for the ????th time. Chocolate goodness for sure!
Nancy says
Oh my goodness, I have now me this over and over. I keep the leftovers in the refrigerator. Swirl this in some low carb ice cream (no matter the flavor) it is to die for! Thank you!!!!!
Angela says
Thank you for all your recipes. Really helps a low carb girl out!