Chocolate Sauce Recipe for Plating, Dipping & Drizzling | DessArts (2024)

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This homemade chocolate sauce recipe is better than any store bought version. Use it as a plating sauce, chocolate dip or chocolate drizzle on a variety of desserts.

Chocolate Sauce Recipe for Plating, Dipping & Drizzling | DessArts (1)

Knowing how to make a good dessert sauce really comes in handy. I’ve made this chocolate sauce over and over again for all kinds of occasions.

I use it to plate plain desserts...Like a chocolate drizzle on cheesecake, ice cream or my favorite, Mexican Fried Ice Cream.

Whenever we have summer parties we always include an ice cream sundae bar for the kids.

A batch of this chocolate sauce makes the perfect topping option to add along with your whipped cream, colored sprinkles and candies.

Chocolate Sauce Recipe for Plating, Dipping & Drizzling | DessArts (2)

Making your own chocolate sauce is super easy and takes only a few minutes. You can make chocolate sauce with chocolate chips, milk, cream and butter.

I know it’s easier to buy the jar from the store but this is quick and doesn’t come with preservatives such as those found popular chocolate syrups. This is authentic real ingredient chocolate sauce.

How to Make Chocolate Sauce:

First, make a simple ganache with chocolate chips and hot milk. I measure my milk in a glass measuring cup and put it right into the microwave but you can also use the stove.

Times vary depending on microwaves but 45 seconds usually does the trick for me. I wait for it to bubble and take it out.

Next, pour the hot milk over the chocolate chips and immediately begin slowly stirring. The chocolate will eventually melt and become an even consistency.

Separately bring the cream, butter and sugar to a boil. These are all fats so they heat up very quickly!

Continually stir it so it doesn’t burn. Lower the heat and add your ganache. Keep stirring until everything is nice and smooth. Done! Now transfer it to a jar or serving bowl. So easy right?

Chocolate Sauce Recipe for Plating, Dipping & Drizzling | DessArts (3)

Just look at that silky smooth chocolate fudge sauce! Ok. Enough drooling. Hit me with the questions! I’ve tried to answer a few commonly asked questions below.

Can I Make Chocolate Sauce From a Chocolate Bar?

Absolutely! This is a great way to make a flavored sauce too if you find one of those flavored chocolate bars like mint or even chili pepper!

Just measure out about 75 grams of your chocolate bar and chop it into small pieces and follow the recipe. It’s the same as using chocolate chips.

For reference, 75 grams of chocolate is about ½ cup of regular sized chocolate chips.

Chocolate Sauce Recipe for Plating, Dipping & Drizzling | DessArts (4)

What is the Difference Between Chocolate Sauce and ChocolateGanache?

Chocolate ganache is traditionally a 1:1 ratio of chocolate and heavy cream and no other ingredients. This type of ganache is typically used as a filling.

Of course, you can make a looser ganache by adding more cream and less chocolate and get a sauce like consistency that way. However, I prefer this recipe for a true sauce.

The butter makes it shiny and it tends to get less clumpier than ganache. A chocolate sauce is also more fluid than a typical ganache and can’t be used as a filling because it will not harden the way ganache hardens.

Chocolate Sauce Recipe for Plating, Dipping & Drizzling | DessArts (5)

What Can I Use Chocolate Sauce For?

Anything you can imagine really. Here are just a few suggestions:

  • Ice cream topping! Like I said, this chocolate sauce is great for a sundae bar. I have a little fondue warmer that I put it in so everyone can enjoy a warm sauce over their ice cream.
  • Use it for plating desserts with sauces like in the Mexican Fried Ice Cream shown above. It also works nicely when plated with poached pears.
  • Use chocolate sauce for dipping churros (shown below) or for drizzling over profiteroles.
  • Drizzle it over a glass of affogato for a stunning after dinner treat.
Chocolate Sauce Recipe for Plating, Dipping & Drizzling | DessArts (6)

Not ready to make chocolate sauce yet? Be sure to pin it so you can make it whenever you're ready!

Chocolate Sauce Recipe for Plating, Dipping & Drizzling | DessArts (7)

Yield: ½ cup

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

This homemade chocolate sauce recipe is better than any store bought version. Keep it handy to add to a variety of desserts.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 Tablespoons sugar

Instructions

1.Place the chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Heat the milk on the stove or microwave until just boiling. 45 seconds – 1 minute in the microwave works for me. Keep an eye on it.

2.Pour the hot milk over the chocolate and stir slowly until all the chocolate is melted and you have a smooth even mixture.

3.In small sauce pan, combine the cream, butter and sugar. Bring it to a boil while whisking so it doesn’t burn.

4.Add the ganache into the sauce pan and stir on low heat until smooth.

5.Transfer the sauce to your storage or serving container.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8Serving Size: 1 Tablespoon
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 113Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 26mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 2g

This nutrition information is only an approximate provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. Information comes from Nutritionix, an automated nutrition calculator.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Diane says

    Great recipe! Thank you! I made this for a pretzel dipping sauce. Might I add that it thickens as it cools, so if you give it time, it becomes the perfect consistency!

    Reply

    • Urvashee says

      Hi Diane,
      Thanks! I love the sweet salty combo of pretzels and chocolate! Yes, the sauce does thicken as it cools. which makes it versatile for many things. Warm it if you want to drizzle it or make plate decorations and let it cool for dipping.

    • Urvashee says

      Marie,
      The sauce will not become completely hard but it will reach a maximum thickness over time. To keep it more fluid, you would have to keep it warm. Alternatively, you can add an extra tablespoon of butter which may keep it more fluid too but I have not tested it for thickness comparison.

  2. Dave Spangler says

    How would I go about “canning “ or preserving this for longer term storage ?

    Reply

    • Urvashee says

      Hi Dave,

      I'm sorry but I have not tried to can the sauce for longer storage.

  3. E says

    Can I use this sauce in an ice cream cake without it becoming too hard or chewy?

    Reply

  4. Tim says

    Does this need to be stored in the refrigerator or at room temperature? Thanks!

    Reply

  5. Bhumika says

    How long can this sauce be stored ? Will it freeze or change in any way if kept at room temperature for longer period ?

    Reply

  6. G says

    May I adjust how can I store this if made a day in advance? Also does it garden if refrigerated?

    Reply

  7. G says

    May I ask how can I store this if made a day in advance? Also does it harden if refrigerated?

    Reply

    • Urvashee says

      You can make it in advance and store it in the refrigerator. It will harden so you will have to take it out in advance and rewarm it. I would try to gently warm on the stove or reheat in the microwave in 10 second increments, stirring in between. The amount of microwave time will depend on how much you are reheating.

  8. Argee says

    Could this sauce be used as the "chocolate swirl" in ice cream? I'm recreating Jamoca Almond Fudge ice cream and I need to find a good recipe for the chocolate. I need it to stay "gooey" even when frozen in the ice cream.
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Rebecca says

      Hi Argee,
      I wonder if you’ve tried this as chocolate swirl in ice cream. If so, did it stay gooey? I’m also looking for a swirling sauce recipe. Thank you.

  9. Julia J says

    Can I use this recipe for a chocolate dip for sttawberries?

    Reply

  10. Mary Jameson says

    This is a delicious chocolate! I used it for plating a cheesecake with strawberries. Super combination of flavors.

    Reply

  11. Megan W says

    As I took a taste test I said to myself, “oh. my. god. This is awesome!” I used it for drizzling on a no bake Oreo cheesecake. This sauce reminds me of the lava inside a Chili’s molten lava cake. Absolutely divine. Thanks for an amazing recipe!

    Reply

  12. Olga says

    Hello, I was wondering if a coffee or chocolate liqueur such as Tia Maria or Kalua be added to this recipe. Also, how long does it keep as I would like to make some as gifts in a few jars for Christmas.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Chocolate Sauce Recipe for Plating, Dipping & Drizzling | DessArts (2024)

FAQs

How to keep chocolate sauce from hardening? ›

Add Liquid

For a glossy sauce that won't harden, substances like water, cream, or milk can work. But beware, chocolate and water aren't the best of friends! Adding water directly to melted chocolate can make it seize, turning it into a grainy, stiff mess.

How do you thicken chocolate for dipping? ›

As the dipping chocolate cools, it will get thicker, so depending on if you'd like to serve this warm or cold will determine how much milk you'll want to add. You may want to heat chocolate mixture up again on low if using cold milk. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

How to melt chocolate chips to drizzle? ›

Place chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on 50 percent power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave on 50 percent power for 2 to 3 more minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until chocolate is melted and smooth.

How to drizzle chocolate? ›

Drizzle With a Fork

To use a fork for drizzling chocolate, just dip the tines of the fork into the melted chocolate and let the chocolate drizzle off onto the cooled cookies or cake. This can also be done with a spoon, though it may be more difficult to keep the lines as thin as you want them.

Why is my dipping chocolate not hardening? ›

The chocolate wasn't tempered (or pre-crystallised)

As a result, your chocolate won't harden and will continue to feel wet. Always temper your chocolate properly before working with it.

What kind of chocolate is best for dipping? ›

For the best melting and dipping, couverture chocolate works best. The higher cocoa butter percentage in this type of chocolate helps it to melt more smoothly for dipping.

How do you keep chocolate thin for dipping? ›

Add oil, butter, or shortening to thin a small amount of chocolate. The best way to thin chocolate is with the addition of oil. The exact amount of oil you will need will depend on the thickness of your chocolate and your desired consistency. Start by stirring in just a little splash, then add more if you need to.

Why is my chocolate not drizzling? ›

Fixing Seized Chocolate

This may seem counterintuitive, but the way to fix seized chocolate is to add 1 teaspoon of boiling water at a time, then mix vigorously until it becomes smooth once again. This is ideal when planning to use the chocolate for a drizzle or a sauce since the chocolate will be somewhat diluted.

Can I melt down chocolate chips for dipping? ›

Place chocolate in a dry, microwave-safe bowl. Now put the bowl in the microwave and microwave in 30-second intervals. Stir the chocolate with a dry spoon or spatula in between each 30-second blast until all of the chips are just about melted and look very glossy.

Can I melt chocolate in a Ziploc bag? ›

5: The Sandwich Bag Method (Aka the Decorator's Way)

Best for when you want to drizzle or decorate with melted chocolate. Step 1: Place chopped chocolate in a resealable plastic bag. (A sandwich-sized Ziploc works great.) Step 2: Seal completely, and place in a bowl filled with hot (but not boiling) water.

Should I add oil to melted chocolate for dipping? ›

Adding a tablespoon of coconut oil or vegetable oil while microwaving helps the chocolate melt more smoothly and makes it the perfect consistency for dipping! The caveat here is that once cool, the chocolate won't set up quite as hard as it did to begin with due to the added fat content.

What kind of chocolate is used for melting and dipping? ›

Top-quality semisweet and bittersweet chocolates are good choices. The best choice is couverture, which is favored by candy-making pros. Chocolate comes in solid bars or different size chips and discs. If you're using chocolate bars, chop them into uniform pieces so they'll melt evenly.

How do you melt chocolate and keep it creamy? ›

smooth and creamy melted chocolate every time. for every one cup of chocolate chips, I either use half a teaspoon of vegetable oil. or one tablespoon of coconut oil. microwave in 22nd intervals. stir very well between so that it doesn't burn.

What can I add to chocolate to keep it from hardening? ›

It's formulated to melt easily and withstand higher temperatures than ordinary chocolate. What is added to melted chocolate so it won't harden? Whisk in heavy cream and corn syrup to smooth out the consistency of melting chocolate and keep it from seizing up when it cools.

How to prevent melted chocolate from solidifying? ›

If you're melting chocolate into a sauce or other mixture, the higher the cacao percentage is, the more liquid you need to add to stop the chocolate from seizing. So if you're thinking of going off-recipe and adding dark instead of milk, you might want to add an extra splash of liquid.

Why is my melted chocolate hardening? ›

This usually happens when moisture or steam comes into contact with the chocolate, causing the sugar and cocoa particles to bind together and form a stiff, gritty texture. Seized chocolate loses its smooth, glossy appearance, making it difficult to work with for various recipes and applications.

How do you keep chocolate from softening? ›

High temperatures and humidity can cause chocolate to melt and lose its texture, but storing it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight can help prevent this.

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