Homemade Ice Cream and Fudge Sauce

This year, Santa delivered a sweet surprise to our family—a shiny new ice cream maker for my 11-year-old daughter, Hannah!

She was thrilled, and honestly, so was I. As a family of devoted ice cream lovers, we couldn’t wait to dive into creating our own homemade frozen treats. The kids are hooked on the fun of it all, but I have an ulterior motive: learning how to make delicious lower-fat versions of our favorite indulgence.

Our family has a tradition of celebrating big, hearty Sunday dinners together. Life gets hectic during the week, so this is our chance to sit down, reconnect, and savor a meal that everyone has anticipated for days. The planning starts early in the week—what will we eat, and more importantly, what dessert will we have to top it all off? This past Sunday, Hannah took charge of dessert, crafting her first-ever batch of chocolate ice cream paired with a rich, homemade fudge sauce. Sundaes on Sunday? Yes, please!

Now, I know it’s the start of a new year, and many of us are trying to rein in the sugar and focus on healthier habits. But let’s be real: there are times when indulgence is just plain necessary. If you’re going to treat yourself, make it count with something truly worth the calories. Homemade ice cream and fudge sauce fit the bill perfectly—they’re rich, creamy, and utterly satisfying.

No Ice Cream Maker? No Problem!

You don’t actually need an ice cream maker to try this recipe at home. While our new KitchenAid attachment makes the process fun and quick, you can achieve equally delicious results with just a freezer and some patience.

Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream

Adapted from AllRecipes

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 egg yolks, lightly beaten
• 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, milk, salt, and cocoa powder. Heat over medium, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to simmer.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks. Gradually stir about 1/2 cup of the hot liquid into the yolks to temper them, then return the mixture to the saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens slightly. Do not let it boil.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped chocolate until completely melted. Transfer the mixture to a container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
4. Once cold, stir in the heavy cream and vanilla. For soft-serve texture, use an ice cream maker. For firmer ice cream, pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 4 hours or overnight.

A Note About the KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment:
This attachment creates soft-serve ice cream by chilling a frozen bowl for at least 15 hours, then stirring the batter in the bowl for 20–30 minutes. For a firmer texture, you can skip the soft-serve step and freeze the mixture directly in an airtight container.

Homemade Fudge Sauce

Adapted from The New Boston Globe Cookbook

While your ice cream is freezing, why not whip up a decadent fudge sauce to drizzle over the top? This sauce is rich, velvety, and elevates any dessert to indulgent perfection.

Ingredients:

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
• 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (or semisweet chocolate chips)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth.
2. Stir in the chopped chocolate, sugar, and evaporated milk. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Serve the sauce hot or transfer it to a container to refrigerate for later use. To reheat, warm it gently over medium-low heat or microwave a small portion for about 20 seconds.
4. This recipe makes about 2 cups of sauce—plenty for sundaes, drizzles, and maybe a little spoonful straight from the jar!

Making Sundaes an Occasion

With homemade chocolate ice cream and fudge sauce on hand, dessert becomes an event in itself. Layer scoops of creamy chocolate ice cream with warm fudge sauce, top with whipped cream, and add your favorite sprinkles, nuts, or even a cherry for the ultimate sundae experience.

Why Homemade?

There’s something deeply satisfying about creating your own ice cream and toppings from scratch. Not only can you control the ingredients and adjust the flavors to suit your taste, but the process itself is a joy—especially when shared with family. Hannah’s excitement as she watched the soft-serve ice cream form was contagious, and the pride she felt in serving her creation made the whole experience even sweeter.

So, if you’re looking for a way to brighten up your week—or turn your Sunday into a celebration—give homemade ice cream a try. Whether you use an ice cream maker or stick to the trusty freezer, the results are sure to delight. And don’t forget the fudge sauce; after all, no sundae is complete without it.

Mangia Mondays are all about bringing joy to the table, whether through hearty meals, sweet desserts, or both. This week, homemade ice cream and fudge sauce were the stars of the show, proving once again that food has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories. So go ahead, indulge a little—it’s worth it!