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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 chocolate sauce recipe many years ago and tried it within a few days of finding the recipe. This was exactly what I wanted!
The sauce is not overly sweet and it is smooth and rich in flavor. This is even 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.
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.
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.
Simple Homemade Chocolate Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup cold water
- 1½ 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 4/20/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 3/9/23}
original recipe slightly adapted from and with thanks to Cate Linden
Thank you!! This is incredible and soooo easy. What a treat. Such pure clean ingredients.
Thank you, Susie.
Came out perfectly. I didn’t have regular cocoa powder, so I used the black variety instead. Tastes like Oreo sauce. Delish! Thanks for the recipe!
Oh, I bet that was good, Lauren.
Just made this for banana splits. It’s so yummy. This recipe is definitely a keeper 😋 thank you so much for sharing.
Banana splits sound amazing right now, Kim. I am delighted you enjoyed the recipe.
GREAT chocolate sauce and so easy!!! i made this to put on your cherry ice cream which was also great.
That is the best combination, Helen!
Glad this was the first recipe to come up; my husband loves it! Great, and so easy.
I’m thrilled you enjoyed it, Heather!
Easy and delicious. Will be making this often.
I am delighted to hear that, Marcia. Thank you.
Made this to pour over my sticky brownies! Wow easiest and best sauce ever. Very indulgent !!!
I’m so glad you loved the chocolate sauce, Claire!
made this today. easy to follow recipe and delicious. It did thicken a lot once it cooled.
Question: can you freeze the sauce?
Hi, Alisa! While I wouldn’t recommend freezing the chocolate sauce, you should be able to refrigerate the sauce for a few months without issue.
Can you use brown sugar and can you also use almond extract in place of vanilla?
Yes to both of those, Sarah. It will change the flavor a bit, but I think it will be delicious that way.
I thought the chocolate sauce was far too sweet.
Try using date honey instead of sugar.
Totally agree! But good otherwise. I’ll be using half the sugar next time.
Awesome recipe 10/10, simple, easy and tasty. Thanks you so much for sharing, I very much love it.
You are welcome, Cheryl. Enjoy the chocolate sauce!
It looks divine & the ingredients are very similar to the way my mom made it decades ago. Thank you for sharing.
I have a diabetic friend who loves it. Do you have tips to make it sugar free? Any idea what to sub for sugar that wouldn’t change the delicious flavor much?
I’ve heard from another reader that stevia works well in this sauce, but I haven’t tested that myself. It’s worth trying though.
Maybe try monkfruit sweetener?
So easy and very tasty!
I’ve tried several fudge sauce recipes and they all had a bitter after taste and called for heavy cream which I don’t normally keep on hand. I love that it tastes amazing and can be done with water. It is even better made with milk
I’m glad you found a chocolate sauce recipe that met your needs, Sarah. Happy cooking!
Craving chocolate milk but was looking for an easy solution to something healthier & quick in the frig for quick glass of chocolate milk for me or kids or sitting to pour over ice cream or sponge cake 😋
Didn’t want to wash a pan so I made it in a 2 cup Pyrex measuring cup in the microwave 30 seconds at a time blending with a hand held milk frother for 3-4 min til it started to bubble. Also, used Truvia cane sugar blend with stevia 75% less calories.
Came out ok ( for all my changes) I even decided to mix the dry ingredients & jar it for a quick jar of chocolate sauce next time or to bring to a friends. I have health issues & some days I’m Good & some days I’m not…so even if feeding bad I’m already half way to some yummy chocolate sauce.
Thanks for the recipe! 😊
I’m glad you’re enjoying the chocolate sauce! It’s a good product to have around. Happy cooking!
10/10!!! I made one batch as is and the second I added peanut butter and milk both are so freaking delicious
Yay!! Glad it’s a hit, Rachel.
This is a lovely simple chocolate sauce. Perfect for ice cream or atop some decadent profiteroles. It was become my go to.
I’m glad you’ve found the chocolate sauce so useful, Ingrid. We try to always keep a jar ready in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Can you store this room temp for any period of time?
Hi, Jen! I wouldn’t recommend shelf storage for the chocolate sauce. It really should be refrigerated.
Delicious and super easy to make! Thank you
You are welcome, Elle! Enjoy the chocolate sauce.
this was so easy to make and tastes so good, I’ll never buy store bought chocolate sauce again. thank you!
You are welcome, Joanne! Happy to hear that you’ve been enjoying the chocolate sauce.
Well dang! Now I’m in trouble!! This is so tasty and easy and I always have those ingredients in the house. Thank you!
I’m so glad it’s a win for you, Melinda!