You only need a few ingredients to make this Homemade Chocolate Sauce and it tastes better than any chocolate syrup you can buy at the store. Smooth, sweet, and incredibly chocolate-y, this is the chocolate sauce I tried for years to make.
Along with all the ice cream that everyone is making, this copycat Hershey’s syrup has become one of the most popular recipes on the website over the past few months. It’s been fun to see what we can make from home instead of immediately running to the store.
Homemade Chocolate Sauce
When I first made this, I wanted a simple homemade chocolate syrup similar to Hershey’s syrup; something that I could use to make chocolate milk for my boys or use as an ice cream topping.
Over the past few years, I’ve made numerous chocolate sauces: rich creamy hot fudge sauces and basic melted chocolate sauces (i.e. Homemade Magic Shell).
I ran across this recipe many years ago and tried it within a few days of finding the recipe. This was exactly the chocolate sauce that I wanted!
This chocolate sauce is not overly sweet and it is smooth and rich in flavor. This is better than the Hershey’s syrup that I remember. I am excited to have this in the refrigerator now and I can hardly wait to make a treat with it after dinner tonight!
How To Make Chocolate Syrup
When I found this recipe for homemade chocolate sauce, it was almost too simple to believe. No fancy ingredients, no dairy, just sugar, cocoa powder, and water. A pinch of salt and a tiny splash of vanilla finish it off perfectly.
This sauce tastes like Hershey’s syrup, only better. The fact it’s so incredibly easy to make means there is almost always a jar of this chocolate syrup in my refrigerator.
Ice Cream Recipes
Pour this over the best and easiest Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, Cherry Ice Cream, or Salted Caramel Ice Cream.
This Peanut Butter Ice Cream by Pint Sized Baker is begging for some chocolate sauce and I can’t wait to drizzle some chocolate sauce over this Take 5 Ice Cream Pie by Beyond Frosting.
Pictured here is our much-loved Cookies and Cream Ice Cream, not to be confused with Oreo Ice Cream, which is a completely different kind of awesomeness. I recommend you try them both and pick your favorite.
Chocolate Syrup Recipe
- In a cold saucepan, whisk together the cocoa and the sugar until all lumps are removed.
- Add the salt and the water and bring to a boil over medium to medium-high heat.
- Reduce to a simmer; stirring constantly. Simmer for about 30 seconds and then remove from heat.
- Let cool and then add vanilla. Pour into a glass jar and refrigerate until needed.
Simple Homemade Chocolate Sauce
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Instructions
- In a cold saucepan, whisk together the cocoa and the sugar until all lumps are removed. Add the salt and the water and bring to a boil over medium to medium high heat.
- Reduce to a simmer; stirring constantly. Simmer for about 30 seconds and then remove from heat. Let cool and then add vanilla. Pour into a glass jar and refrigerate until needed. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 4/20/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 5/18/20}
Omar says
So easy! So delicious! Ty!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the chocolate sauce, Omar.
Lisa Dominguez says
Just the recipe I’ve been looking for….simple and delicious! And you’re right, better than any Hershey’s. Don’t have to go to Trader Joe’s to avoid corn syrup.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like it, Lisa!
Susan M says
made this today for the first time and WOW! So simple to make, just beautiful in texture, flavor and consistency…….how did I not find this recipe and make it sooner? Thank you for this recipe- I will use it often in the future
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like the chocolate sauce, Susan.
Kathy says
I am on a keto diet and sustituted the sugar with 25 packets of sweet n low. A little bitter but not horrible. Tasted great in my mocha frappee.
Mary Younkin says
Glad you liked it, Kathy. You might try Swerve next time as a substitute too. I’ve used it successfully in the past.
JanisT says
I’ve been making this choco sauce for 50 years! Really! My Mom used to make it and I carried on. We couldn’t afford storebought’ sauce. It’s still the best. Yesterday, Sunday Family Dinner, good vanilla ice cream, grilled peaches, from the backyard tree and a drizzle of warm choco sauce. oMG!!
Mary Younkin says
This is awesome, Janis. I’m so glad that you love it!
Jewell Pradier says
My first homemade chocolate sauce and it was fabulous! Had it over a slice of homemade pound cake and plain vanilla ice cream…wicked good. Thank!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like the chocolate sauce, Jewell.
Sarah Endarawes says
Can I reduce the sugar to 1/2 cup and keep the rest of the ingredients the same?
Mary Younkin says
I’ve never tried that, Sarah. I’m not sure how well it will thicken that way.
Liyah Isaacs says
This chocolate sauce was incredibly easy and hella delicious – I used it to make lamington-style snowballs, with Vanilla mousse in the middle.
This choc sauce recipe is officially my #1 go-to.
Thanks for Sharing 🙂
With Love, from Cape Town
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying the chocolate sauce, Liyah!
Cindy says
Delicious. But somehow a little amaretto dribbled in. Umm. Thanks
Mary Younkin says
mmmmmmm that’s my kind of addition, Cindy!
Camaro says
Super easy to make, I was surprised , and just did it for the first time, and it came out great. Awesome recipe. I might “tweak” it to my liking a bit in the future, but again, great one.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like it!
Charlotte says
Hi, where it says to reheat before serving dies that make it very thin again or does it stay thicker?… Thanks
Mary Younkin says
It will thin out a bit, but will still be thicker than when it finishes cooking, Charlotte.