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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’ve tried several recipes for chocolate syrup but this is the best one I’ve ever made. I’ve tried it in milk and over vanilla ice cream. This recipe is so simple and so easy and I always have the ingredients on hand. Now that I know I can make my own chocolate sauce I never have to buy it again.
I’m so glad that you are enjoying the syrup, Patricia!
Your post mentions wanting to make a syrup that you can drizzle over icecream, and make chocolate milk. I can see that the drizzling over icecream looks successful in your pictures, but how about the latter use; to make chocolate milk?
This syrup works perfectly for chocolate milk, Jessica.
Delicious!
I’m glad you like it, Lilianne!
Mary, I am sure it gets five stars but there was no recipe, just instructions! Please send so that I can make it!
Hi Dianna, if you scroll to the bottom of this post, there is a printable recipe card for the chocolate sauce. Enjoy!
This stuff is delicious! I made it because my mom keeps buying “sugar-free” brand syrups which taste terrible. Thank you for my life
I’m so glad you like the syrup, Aster!
Amazing chocolate sauce. Served it this weekend over sweet crepes filled with chocolate hazelnut spread, sliced bananas, strawberries marinated for four hours in Grand Mariner, then topped with ice cream and chocolate sauce. My guests were literally licking their plates. Better than any store-bought sauce I have tried. Thank you!
That sounds incredible, Barb!
I have made and used this sauce for two years. I would suggest to all that it is crazy to buy chocolate sauce, this is so much easier and seems to last for ever!! good luck!!!!
I’m so glad you love it, Joseph! That’s what I think as well. It’s just so easy to make!
I just made this sauce and it’s the best !
Yay! I’m glad you think so. We love it, Gail!
Great recipe! Simple and delicious! My boys said their hot chocolate with this sauce was even better than the store bought sauce! Thank you!
That’s awesome to hear, Jessica!
Hi, vanilla extract or vanilla essence? Thank u!
I use vanilla extract, Kat.
Hi Mary, this sauce sounds great. I plan to make to pour over a Christmas ice cream cake. Do you have a recommended cocoa powder that use use?
Honestly, Jane, I use plain Hershey’s cocoa most of the time.
Made a few times and have tweaked it a touch with milk or heavy cream instead of water and half c sugar, half c cocoa powder. Sometimes I add a dash of chili powder or a tbsp of espresso depending on what it’s being used for.
I also toss a pat of butter in at the end with the vanilla.
Oh! A heaping tbsp of peanut butter us a very nice touch mixed in esp over vanilla ice cream. Yum!
I’m loving all those variations, Lanie! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the chocolate sauce.
I just made this. It is absolutely delicious ! So easy. No need to buy sauce when can whip this up in no time
I used 3/4 cup of sugar as that is all I had at hand.
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the chocolate sauce, Amy.
This has been my go-to chocolate syrup recipe since finding it solve time ago. Everyone loves it!
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoy the chocolate sauce, Dawn!
Great choco sauce. Thanks
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying it, Diane!
THE BEST CHOCOLATE SAUCE EVER!!!
You say that it can be poured into a container and kept in the fridge. Mine didn’t even make it to the fridge!
I am absolutely thrilled that you loved it, Luna!
Can you substitute cacao powder for cocoa powder?
I’ve never used cacao powder, Jeanne. However, to the best of my knowledge, it should work fine.
I plan to make this again but wonder what I did wrong to have it go grainy when it was refrigerated. Not held at boiling long enough?
The sugar might crystallize in the refrigerator, but the sauce typically will smooth out when reheated, Claudia.
I believe this is the same chocolate syrup on
the Hershey cocoa box long ago. Best ever.
That’s very cool, Jimmy. I had no idea.
Very good chocolate sauce & easy to make
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the chocolate sauce, Buffy!
I added 2 tablespoon of unsalted butter- delicious. BCB
I’m glad you like the chocolate sauce, Claire.