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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
I used maple syrup for a natural sweetener and it came out divine
ooh, I bet that was great.
Thank you for sharing. I had my doubts. I tried .making your recipe. What a surprise. It turned out great . My husband said it reminded him of Hershey syrup. It was delicious. So simple too.
I’m so glad you like it!
What was the ratio for maple syrup?
My kids are in love with this recipe! I make it on snow days to go on top of bowls of fresh snow.
I’m happy to hear it!
This is basically my mother’s recipe from when I was a kid. It spoiled me so I could never use the commercial choc sauce because of the chemical aftertaste. She always cooked with coocoa because using block chocolate wasn’t a thing back then. I’m over 70 and I’m sure she made it for years before I was born as I’m the youngest of 7.
I love this. Food memories are so much fun and the fact we all share so many of them is awesome.
Question, when this is poured over ice cream, does it develop a kind of shell?
Thanks
This is not a magic shell. If you’ve looking for a sauce that will harden, here’s the recipe: https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-magic-shell-recipe-chocolate-covered-clementines-recipe/
Hi i have a question, i was wondering if this recipe would work from coating or dipping cookies in? As in if i put them in the freezer afterwards would it harden?
This is a chocolate sauce just like Hershey’s Syrup in the bottle at the store. It will not harden.
Very easy recipe for when you’re home and want a chocolate fix, or less preservatives. It thickens up a lot once chilled. Thank you!
I’m so glad you like it!
This is excellent! My Five Roses Flour Cookbook (for some reason) is missing all my sauce pages so I was freaking out as this was my moms go to sauce recipe for ice cream and milk. Yours has the same ingredients so at least I got proper measurements. It tastes exactly the same as moms, so now I have this recipe tucked away for safekeeping. Thanks kindly for sharing it. Yummy!
Awe! I’m glad you like it and have great memories of it with your mom.
Absolutely delicious! And so simple to make! I’ll never buy Hershey’s again! Thank you so much for this recipe!
Yay! I’m glad it’s a win.
Hi. Does this call for vanilla extract vs vanilla bean paste? Thanks.
I make this with vanilla extract.
Great chocolate sauce base- good on its own or with additions.
My secret is to add a little bit of instant espresso to mine. It adds a nice flavor that compliments the cocoa 🙂
Espresso is never a bad addition to chocolate!
I tried many other recipes and this one is the best! Thank you
I’m so glad you love the sauce!
Reminds me of Hershey’s syrup which we always had when I was a kid. With a list of only 5 ingredients it couldn’t be more simple and natural. Thank you for this recipe.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it.
I grew up n LA, or “Lower Alabama”, very rural & no grocerie stores w/in the vicinity. I found an old, church cookbook dated b4 my birth in ’58. It became lost as we grew up in the country, but also lived on the Gulf Coast. I worked yrs in radio in Fairhope, AL & have returned to an area in the country where there are no houses (no dogs barking or loud parties, ~EVER~ and finding your quick chocolate sauce is such a great find as the close the closest grocery store is 7 miles in either direction. Of course I’ve tried several times to “get that light & perfect flavor”. Your recipe said “water” – I was using milk.
Bahaha! My Mom use to say, “always use water for milk substitute”, such as a “Tad” in scrambling an egg so it’s not hard.
You now have a new follower. “I swanee” you could have been an awesome “Country Girl”. If you can climb the top of a thin, tall pine tree 🌲 and “ride it like a horse” I’ll add your name to the blonde, “Whoopsie Daisy” girls. : )
~Have a lovely summer~ May God bless you and your family. Thanks for the gift.
What a fun comment, Janet! I’m thrilled that you like the chocolate sauce too.
This was so easy to make and delicious. Will be making this often.
I’m so glad you like it!
Omg I just made this recipe for the first time and it’s delicious! 🥰 super easy to make, especially if you ran out of premade stuff and need it quick! This is great 👍
I’m so glad you like it!
I have made this chocolate sauce several times and always turns out creamy and yummy.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!
can I substitute stevia for the sugar.tyoe 2 diabetic here.thanks
I assume that will work, but haven’t tried it myself.
Really easy and delicious! I made it to top some ice cream that needed more chocolate flavor.
I’m thrilled it’s a hit.
I love this simple recipe. No more store bought with ingredients that I don’t want in my food. Thank you for a great recipe.
I’m glad you like the chocolate sauce!