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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
Delicious!!! And I don’t miss the dairy! 🙂
I’m so glad that you like it, Brigid.
Reminds me of Hershey’s chocolate syrup without the chemical after taste. Made to put on some homemade vanilla ice cream and stored the rest in a mason jar, it was gone in less than a week. Will definitely make again!
I’m thrilled that you like it, Hillary.
The sauce tastes amazing, it’s a bit on the thin side though. Next time I’ll try to simmer for a bot longer. I hope that doesn’t make it bitter though.
It should thicken nicely as it cools, Nida.
EASY AND SATISFYING. YUMMM
I’m glad you’re enjoying the chocolate sauce, Janice!
This is the second time I made this sauce, It beats hersheys sauce is better and cheaper!!!
I’m so glad that you like the sauce, Joseph!
Wow so quick to make and tastes far better than store bought. We ran out and my teen son, who does not cook, was able to make it with out any help.
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the sauce, Mary!
THERE IS LITERALY DAIRY IN IT STUPID
Normally, I would edit your comment to be a bit more polite before replying, but right now I’m just laughing too hard. There is LITERALLY no dairy in this recipe. All you need are the ingredients listed above: cocoa powder, sugar, salt, water, and vanilla. None of those are dairy, my friend.
To make the chocolate syrup more keto-friendly I made this with sweetner (Erythritol) … it is pretty good! I added it to my espresso to make a keto mocha. It did come out too thick so i added more boiling water (nearly another 1/2 cup) to thin it back out a bit. The sweetener also made it a bit minty (normal for this type of sweetener), next time I will try a monk fruit sweetner. Thank you for the recipe!
I’m glad that you enjoyed it, Abi!
When I was 9 I HAD to make Cottage Pudding for my whole family of 7 – I was the youngest! My mother passed years ago and her recipe tin was lost! I have been searching for the chocolate sauce recipe for decades!! Mary, you have found IT!!!
Thank-you
ps … can you find the original cake recipe?
I’m glad you’re enjoying the chocolate sauce, Susan! I’m unfamiliar with cottage pudding, but I’ll keep my eyes open for something like that.
Wanting to try this soon! Is there a possibility that I can use salt instead of kosher salt? … I was wondering if it’ll really ruin the taste?.. haha I’m trying to use what I have here at home,, hope to hear from you soon ^^
Yes, just use half the amount. So, a very tiny pinch really, or you’ll run the risk of it turning out salty. Enjoy!
This was so easy and it tastes great! im looking forward to putting this in my coffee! Do you think it could be stored in a squeeze bottle, or is it too thick?
This will be pretty thick cold from the fridge, but it should still work from a squeeze bottle, Stephanie.
Delicous, simple and perfect, not too sweet. I will never buy chocolate sauce again!
I’m happy to hear that you are enjoying the chocolate sauce!
Just decided to make it on a whim, and it’s simple and delicious! Can’t wait to use it! Can it be used in cold milk for chocolate milk, or will it thicken when it hits the cold and not mix?
This will work nicely for chocolate milk, Brittany. I’m glad you like the chocolate sauce.
proper
I’m glad you like it!
So easy! I had everything in my pantry. Mmmm… delicious on butter pecan ice cream! I used special dark cocoa. Not too sweet.
That sounds perfect, Lisa!
Why must your saucepan be cold?
It’s only specified as cold, so that you know you’re combining everything before you start the heat under the pan, Judith. It doesn’t need to be especially cold.
Awesomely simple!! Ran out of chocolate milk for grand kids, so I made your sauce! A hit the first try! Thanks, you made Grampa a rock star during quarantine!
I’m so glad that you like the chocolate sauce, Ed.
This is the best chocolate sauce ever!!
I’m so glad that you like the sauce, Kathie!
How long can it be kept the refrigerator? Thank you
I’ve kept it for several weeks without any problems, Andrea. That said, my typical “food safety” answer is up to a week. Enjoy!
Really easy and good taste
I’m glad you like it, Fiane!