Warm fudgy brownies topped with ice cream, hot fudge, and whipped cream
Brownie Sundae
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6
6 sundaes
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Moderate
$$
Brownie Sundae
Warm fudgy brownies topped with ice cream, hot fudge, and whipped cream
★4.4(7)
Warm, fudgy brownie squares topped with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. The ultimate indulgent dessert.
20m
Prep Time
25m
Cook Time
50m
Total Time
6
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
A brownie sundae is peak dessert indulgence — a warm, fudgy brownie serving as the foundation for scoops of ice cream, a river of hot fudge, clouds of whipped cream, and all the toppings you can dream of. It is the dessert that makes everyone at the table smile.
This recipe includes a from-scratch brownie and a simple homemade hot fudge sauce that comes together in minutes. The hot fudge is silky, glossy, and pourable — not the thick, sticky kind from a jar. It pools around the ice cream and soaks into the warm brownie for a multi-layered chocolate experience.
This is not subtle. This is not restrained. This is pure, unabashed, over-the-top chocolate joy.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (hot fudge)
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (hot fudge)
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup (hot fudge)
- 1 tablespoon butter (hot fudge)
- Vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream
- Maraschino cherries
- Chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment.
- 2
Melt butter and 4 oz chocolate together. Stir in sugar, then eggs and vanilla.
- 3
Fold in flour, cocoa powder, and salt until just combined.
- 4
Spread in the pan. Bake 22-25 minutes until set with moist crumbs on a toothpick.
- 5
Make hot fudge: heat cream until simmering. Pour over 4 oz chopped chocolate, corn syrup, and butter. Stir until smooth.
- 6
Cut brownies into 6 pieces. Place each on a plate or in a bowl while still warm.
- 7
Top each brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, drizzle with hot fudge, add whipped cream, and finish with a cherry and chopped nuts.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with classic coleslaw and cornbread on the side
Pair with fresh-cut fries or roasted potato wedges
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving
Substitutions
Homemade browniesStore-bought or boxed mix brownies
Saves time — the toppings compensate
Hot fudgeCaramel sauce or Nutella
Both make excellent sundae drizzles
Vanilla ice creamAny flavor ice cream
Coffee and salted caramel are particularly good
AromaBrew
Test Kitchen Pick
Espresso
Helpful Pantry Staple
Why the coffee matters
For recipes like this, better coffee pays off quickly. Stronger, fresher beans give you more flavor without having to compensate elsewhere.
This recipe tastes closer to its intent when the coffee is doing real work.
- More aroma and depth in the final result
- Useful beyond this single dessert or drink
Good espresso beans are usually a more noticeable upgrade than a more complicated gadget.
Shop espresso for this recipeTips & Storage
Pro Tips
Warm the brownies slightly before assembling — the contrast with cold ice cream is key.
The hot fudge can be made ahead and gently reheated.
Assemble just before serving so the ice cream does not melt.
Set up a sundae bar and let guests customize their own toppings.
Storage
Brownies store well for 4 days. Hot fudge keeps refrigerated for 2 weeks. Assemble fresh.
Reheating
Warm brownies in the microwave for 15 seconds. Reheat hot fudge in 15-second bursts, stirring between.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1 sundae) · 6 servings
Calories520
LowModerateHigh
A hearty, energy-rich serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein8g
Carbohydrates56g
Fat32g
Fiber3g
Sugar40g
Sodium140mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use store-bought brownies?
- Sure, though homemade takes just 10 minutes of prep and is significantly better.
- What other ice cream flavors work?
- Coffee, chocolate, mint chip, salted caramel, and peanut butter all pair beautifully with brownies.
- Can I make this for a crowd?
- Yes. Bake brownies in a 9x13 pan, set up a sundae bar with toppings, and let guests serve themselves.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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