This easy Homemade Chocolate Syrup recipe -- made with five simple ingredients in about five minutes -- is a scrumptious topping for ice cream and makes perfect chocolate milk. And not only is it economical, but it's also lacking the additives and preservatives found in many store-bought brands!
In case you've never noticed, I've got quite a thing for making my own kitchen staples. There are dry mixes for the pantry, of course, from chili mix to pancake mix to cornbread mix. But I also like to stock my refrigerator with natural, homemade versions of what I used to buy at the grocery store, from barbecue sauce to honey mustard to coffee creamer. So it's only expected that l I should add a delectable Chocolate Syrup recipe to the list, dontcha' think?
Awhile back, I shared a recipe for my to-die-for Homemade Caramel Sauce that whips up in just FIVE minutes with only FIVE ingredients.
And guess what?
Today, I've got a 5-ingredient, 5-minute Homemade Chocolate Sauce recipe for you. It's reminiscent in flavor and consistency to the classic brand that's sold in those famous dark brown bottles and cans...but without any of the crazy ingredients!
Now this is not a thick fudge sauce, mind you. It's a thinner chocolate syrup that you can stir into milk to make chocolate milk or drizzle over ice cream for that perfect banana split.
Why Make Homemade Chocolate Syrup?
I stopped buying the “traditional” brand of chocolate syrup several years ago in an effort to feed my family real foods made with simple and natural ingredients.
Over time, we’ve tried a few organic brands of chocolate syrup, but they never tasted quite as good as our old standby. And they could be quite expensive.
But this chocolate syrup recipe? Not only does it taste better than the original, but it's also economical. It's totally cost effective to make in small batches or big batches. And best of all, you know exactly what's in it.
Ingredients
I love being able to control what goes into my chocolate syrup. And you can't get much more straightforward than five simple ingredients!
- Water. The base.
- Sugar. Combines with the water to form a simple syrup.
- Cocoa powder. You'll want to use a regular cocoa powder here, not Dutch-processed. As far as the brand, go with Hershey's cocoa powder if that's the brand of syrup you're trying to imitate, or a "fancier" cocoa powder for a more gourmet outcome.
- Vanilla. I recommend using a good-quality pure vanilla extract, since the flavor will shine through.
- Salt. It might seem counterintuitive to add salt to a sweet recipe, but just a tiny bit makes the chocolate flavor pop.
How to Make Chocolate Syrup
I think you will love having this easy recipe (that can be ready in mere minutes!) in your arsenal. Here's how to do it:
- Make a simple syrup. Dissolve the sugar into the water and cook for a few minutes while occasionally stirring.
- Stir in the cocoa powder and salt, and cook for a couple more minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Your chocolate syrup will be pretty runny at this point, so you'll need to refrigerate it in order for it to thicken further.
- Enjoy it warm or allow it to cool for a bit and then transfer to a jar and pop in the fridge until chilled.
And please keep in mind that this is Homemade Chocolate Syrup -- not fudge sauce. So while it will set up a bit more once chilled, it is never going to turn overly thick or gloppy.
This recipe makes about a pint and should keep in the refrigerator for three to four weeks...if it lasts that long!
The next time you're craving some yummy chocolate syrup to top that vanilla ice cream...or stir into that tall glass of milk...or sneak straight out of the jar with a spoon...I hope you'll remember this recipe and give it a try! This is one of those EUREKA-type recipes that makes me wonder why I didn't try it sooner.
It's a cinch to make, it's all-natural, it's economical, and it's delicious. You can whip it up in minutes with ingredients that you most likely already have on hand, and your family will deem you brilliant.
But the best part is -- let's be honest here -- it's CHOCOLATE SYRUP. Because at the end of the day, what's better than that? 😉
More Sweet, Made-From-Scratch Kitchen Staples
- Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix
- Homemade Strawberry Syrup
- Chia Seed Jam
- Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
Homemade Chocolate Syrup
Ingredients
- 1ยผ cups water
- 1ยฝ cups sugar
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- ยผ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small pot set over medium-high heat, mix water and sugar until dissolved. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3 minutes, stirring regularly.
- Stir in cocoa powder and salt, and continue stirring and simmering for about two more minutes or until cocoa powder is all dissolved and mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Store chocolate syrup in a jar in the refrigerator.
Notes
- This syrup will thicken as it cools and should have the consistency of store bought chocolate syrup once chilled. It is not supposed to get thick like a fudge sauce.
- It will keep in the refrigerator for three to four weeks.
Adapted from AllRecipes.com.
Originally published March 10, 2014.
Michael Carter
I'm definitely looking forward to making this! It sounds wonderful, but.....I gotta be a downer and ask if anyone knows what sugar-sub might work well in this mix?
Samantha Skaggs
I'm sorry, Michael...I haven't made this recipe using a sugar substitute, but hopefully somebody who has will chime in! ๐
Sonia Mehrotra
Hi,
Will this be good for making the syrup brownies replacing the Hersheyโs syrup?
Thanks
Samantha Skaggs
Hi Sonia! I haven't tried it myself, but as long as you get your homemade chocolate syrup to a consistency that's similar to Hershey's, I don't see why it wouldn't work. Good luck! ๐
Lisa
This sauce is absolutely perfect! And so easy!
Melissa French
I've been making my own chocolate syrup for years, one less thing I have to buy!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Isn't it great, Melissa? It's so nice to know you don't have to worry about running out, since the ingredients are so basic that you're likely to always have them on hand! ๐
Kimberlee
Thanks for sharing your recipe. I love quick and easy recipes! My sons will love this for their ice cream - I will be trying it out very soon - pinning now.
Samantha at Five Heart Home
You're welcome, Kimberlee! I'm all about quick and easy recipes as well...it's pretty much all I can manage whether I like it or not! I hope your boys (and you!) enjoy this chocolate syrup! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. ๐
Kera
Really loved this recipe! The only thing I did to make it a little better was add a couple handfuls of chocolate chips, both milk chocolate and semi-sweet which made it taste even better. But the original recipe was very good. I always add my own little extra something to every recipe I try.
Shelley
Just love this really simple, straight-forward recipe with no yucky additives! My oh my - I can dream up so many great uses for this scrumptious chocolate sauce! Yum! ๐
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thanks so much, Shelley! I hope you have fun using this chocolate syrup in lots of different ways. ๐
Rosvitha
Homemade is always the best, especially for children! Thanks Samantha! This recipe is great!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
You're welcome, Rosvitha! I especially love it when homemade is quick and easy. ๐ Hope you enjoy trying this one...thanks for stopping by!
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
You and your 5 minute 5 ingredient!!! Loved your caramel so I'm sure I will love this as well! Can't wait to make my own from scratch too fun. Thanks Sam! Hope you have a great rest of the weekend! Pinned
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Ha, Krista...if only I could make every recipe with five ingredients in five minutes...life would be a lot easier! ๐ I hope you enjoy this syrup as much as the caramel sauce. I honestly don't know which one I like better! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the pin. Happy Friday!
Lauralee
I am so excited to make this! I have stopped buying chocolate syrup because of the corn syrup. As I was scanning down, I was thinking, "please don't have it as an ingredient!" I am pinning and will be making this. Thanks!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Yay, Lauralee...I love hearing that! I avoid HFCS as well, which is part of the reason I've resorted to making so many kitchen staples from scratch these days. And oftentimes, as is the case with this chocolate syrup, it ends up being really easy to recreate the items I used to buy at the grocery store. ๐ Hope you enjoy this one...thanks for the pin!
Cindy Eikenberg
Samantha, my hubby is like, addicted to chocolate syrup - I've seen him on countless occasions standing at the fridge, pouring some right into his mouth! (Please don't tell him I told you! ๐ This is such a great idea and you are inspiring me, my friend, with all of your mixes! Pinning and hope all is well!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Ha ha, Cindy...now I have a mental image of your chocolate syrup bandit standing in front of the open fridge! You'll have to try this recipe and let me know what he thinks, since it sounds like he's a connoisseur. ๐ Thanks for the pin and hope you're having a great week!
Sammi @Sammi Sunshine
My husband is constantly wanting sweet snacks! This seems perfect if I just whip up a batch and tell him to make chocolate milk!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
That's a great idea, Sammi! This chocolate syrup keeps nicely in the refrigerator, so your hubby can enjoy chocolate milk for a good while on just one batch...just a little shake and it's as good as fresh! Hope y'all enjoy this...thanks for stopping by!
Kristin
This is a must try in our house! We are big chocolate fans, and I love the idea of making this with no additives. Thanks again for a wonderful recipe.
Samantha at Five Heart Home
You're so welcome, Kristin! I hope this is a big hit at your house, and hope you're having a great week! ๐