This recipe was born from a happy accident when I ran out of cocoa powder while making brownies and substituted melted hot fudge sauce instead. The result was a decadent chocolate quick bread with the dense, fudgy texture of a brownie and a crackling top that makes each slice irresistible.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 55 minutes
Serves: 10 slices
Calories: 320 per slice

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Hot Fudge Brownie Bread combines the best of both worlds: a tender chocolate quick bread with the rich, fudgy texture of brownies. Made with hot fudge sauce in the batter, it creates an intensely chocolatey loaf that’s perfect for dessert or an indulgent breakfast.

Ingredients & Equipment

For the Bread:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup hot fudge sauce, room temperature
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup buttermilk

For the Topping:

• ¼ cup hot fudge sauce
• ½ cup chocolate chips

Equipment:

• 9×5 inch loaf pan
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Cooling rack

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare Pan:

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Line pan with parchment
• Grease parchment

1. Mix Dry Ingredients:

• Whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder
• Add baking soda, salt
• Set aside

1. Mix Wet Ingredients:

• Beat hot fudge, butter, sugar
• Add eggs one at a time
• Mix in vanilla

1. Combine:

• Alternate dry ingredients and buttermilk
• Mix until just combined
• Don’t overmix

1. Bake:

• Pour into pan
• Top with chocolate chips
• Drizzle hot fudge
• Bake 50-55 minutes

Tips & Variations

Expert Tips:

• Room temperature ingredients blend better
• Don’t overbake – center should be set but fudgy
• Cool completely before slicing

Common Substitutions:

• Buttermilk → regular milk + vinegar
• Hot fudge → chocolate spread
• Dutch cocoa → natural cocoa
• Chocolate chips → chopped chocolate

Troubleshooting Guide:

• Sinks in middle: Don’t overmix
• Too dry: Reduce bake time
• Not fudgy: Use more hot fudge
• Tough texture: Overmixed batter

Variations:

• Add nuts or dried fruit
• Swirl in peanut butter
• Add espresso powder
• Top with ganache

Storage

Store well-wrapped at room temperature up to 4 days. Can be frozen up to 2 months – wrap in plastic and foil. Thaw overnight at room temperature. Best served slightly warm.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought hot fudge?
Yes, any quality hot fudge sauce works.

Why did my bread crack?
Normal for quick breads – adds character!

Can I make muffins instead?
Yes, bake 20-25 minutes at same temperature.

Is it very sweet?
Moderately – similar to brownies.

Can I reduce the sugar?
Can reduce by ¼ cup without affecting texture.

This Hot Fudge Brownie Bread combines two beloved desserts into one irresistible loaf. Perfect for chocolate lovers, it’s an easy way to create a special treat any day of the week.