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
{originally published 4/20/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 3/9/23}
original recipe slightly adapted from and with thanks to Cate Linden
Holly Phelps says
Happy new year! I’m making this tonight and serving it over peppermint ice cream. Can’t wait. I know it’s going to be delicious. Thank you for sharing. Best wishes!
Mary Younkin says
I hope you love the chocolate sauce, Holly!
Sharon says
I’m gonna make this right away! My Mom always had chocolate sauce she made with cocoa! Now I will too! Thank you!
Mary Younkin says
I hope you love it, Sharon!
Dana says
This is so simple to make, but the result is soooo delicious!!! I could eat this sauce alone with spoons! 🙈 Also, similar sauces are rather expensive here in my country, however, this homemade is not only way cheaper, but healthier (no odd additives) and tastes better! Thank You for sharing this recipe!
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you like it, Dana!
Angelica says
Perfect and Easy! I made it this evening for our vanilla ice cream and it was crazy easy to make and the result was perfect. I won’t buy store bought sauce again, as this avoided the weird store bought chemical additive taste. Thank you.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy that you love the chocolate sauce, Angelica!
Terri says
Really yummy. I added a pinch of cayenne to mine.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you are enjoying the chocolate sauce, Terri!
Richard Doi says
Delicious.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like it, Richard!
Monica Kearsey says
Made this today. Added it to milk for hot chocolate. Delicious! Thanks
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you’re enjoying the chocolate syrup, Monica!
Anna says
I always have a jar of this sauce in my fridge. It’s lasts several weeks, and is soo much better than store bought! I I first made it because I was out of syrup and wanted chocolate milk 😂 but I kept making it even when we had the other kind. Definitely recommend!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like it that much, Anna!
Mika says
I can’t wait to make it …..
Mary Younkin says
I hope you love it, Mika!
Morgan says
Better than Hershey’s by far. Very easy to make. The only thing I may change is to lower the sugar a touch, it’s almost too sweet for me and my fiance, but I’m talking like by a tablespoon and that’s just our preferences. Have used it for mochas, chocolate milk, and, you know, on a finger to lick. Already finished a batch. About to go make a double. Thank you, this is a keeper.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the chocolate sauce, Morgan!
Helen says
I made this just now for dinner guests tonight, to accompany a flourless chocolate torte. The only changes I made were to substitute orange juice for the water, black cocoa for the chocolate cocoa (richer and darker), and a splash of orange oil for the vanilla. I licked the pan clean, and it was delicious! Can’t wait to see how it goes over tonight with my gluten-free guests.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you liked the chocolate sauce. I bet it was amazing with the orange flavor too, Helen!
Andy MacPherson says
I made this today, and had it hot on vanilla ice cream. So good. The rest is in the fridge and has thickened up a lot. Thank you.
Mary Younkin says
I bet that was amazing, Andy!
Dee says
I made this but it never thickened after it simmered. It still had a good taste. I’m thinking I might bill it longer the next time I make it.
Mary Younkin says
Hi Dee, the sauce should thicken nicely as it cools.
ReReinDC says
Made this tonight, and mine had a “skin” on the top with very fine bubbles. I poured it into a glass jar, then skimmed that off, and it was perfect! Maybe I cooked it too fast? Not sure. Anyway, in the end it was absolutely delicious. Thank you!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you liked it!
Tracy says
So first I have to say that having 2 Autistic kids means that they rarely (if ever) appreciate things from scratch. This being said, they love this! We keep chocolate on hand for my youngest just to get her to drink milk. With the stay at home orders, this has been nearly impossible. I never thought to make my ownbecause of her reaction to things made from scratch. This however, has passed the test and saved me!! Thank you!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that they’re enjoying the chocolate sauce, Tracy!
Lynn says
Delicious and easy! My son is so happy.
Mary Younkin says
That is great to hear, Lynn!
Liz says
I am so happy to find this recipe. Made it this morning as I *really* wanted chocolate milk. Didn’t have real vanilla, and didn’t want to use the imitation vanilla that we had, so I left it out altogether. It is so good! I imagine it’ll be even better with the vanilla, but wanted to mention here in case someone else comes across this recipe but doesn’t have any vanilla on hand. Thank you Mary for sharing.
Mary Younkin says
I am so glad that you like the chocolate syrup, Liz!
Frances says
Very easy and simply. Highly recommend
Mary Younkin says
Happy to hear that you like the chocolate sauce, Frances!
Kat says
this is a great recipe. The first time I made it it was a little runnier than I wanted, so the second time I used just a tad less water and cooked it in a double boiler so it could boil longer. These modifications led to my accidentally making fudge, which still worked great for my purposes. I’ve never successfully made fudge before, so it’s hilarious that I did it on accident. Make sure to add the full amount of vanilla, it brings out the chocolate flavor and makes it less sugary.
Mary Younkin says
What a fun discovery, Kay! I’m glad you’re enjoying the chocolate sauce.
Dionne says
This is a great recipe! Simple, smooth in texture and amazing flavour.
Mary Younkin says
I’m happy to hear that you like the chocolate sauce, Dionne!
Teresa says
Omg! I am a chocolate addict and stumbled across this. So easy to make and I would put it up against any others! I am well in my way to gaining a ton of weight during quarantine. I am not sure whether to thank you or be upset with you! (Thank you!!).
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you love the sauce, Teresa.