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
Mary I says
Can you substitute the cup of sugar with 1/2 cup of Truvia?
Mary Younkin says
I’ve never tried that myself, Mary, so I have no idea who it might work.
Chris Crowe says
What would happen if milk was used in nstead of water? Other than an increase in fat and calories which I don’t care because its DESSERT. LOL!
Mary Younkin says
I’m guessing that the milk will work fine, Chris. However, it will not keep for as long in the refrigerator.
Monica S says
I made this to put over homemade vanilla ice cream…..the ice cream was great but this chocolate sauce took it to a whole other level. So easy and sooo delicious. Thanks for the recipe miss Mary, it’s a 10 out of 10!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that you love the chocolate sauce, Monica!
Akanksha Goel says
How can I store it and for How long?
Mary Younkin says
This will keep nicely in the fridge for a week or two at least, Akanksha.
Kelly says
Super simple and my husband loves it for his mochas at home. I didn’t save the recipe the first time and have been hunting for it for a few weeks now. Glad I found it again! Definitely saved it this time. Might try dark chocolate next time!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like the sauce, Kelly!
Julie says
Do you think I could substitute unsweetened ‘cacao’ powder for the unsweetened cocoa powder?
Mary Younkin says
That will work fine, Julie.
Patsy says
I have never liked the store bought chocolate syrup. It just didn’t have that fresh flavor. We found your recipe and put it on our banana splits and it was “YUMMY!!”” thanks so much for this very simple, great tasting syrup.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like the syrup, Patsy.
Isabel says
Rich, yet not overpowering. Delicious, cheap and easy to make, store-bought chocolate sauce has nothing on this homemade version. Bet a couple of drops of some kind of liqueur wouldn’t hurt either. Thank you for the recipe!
Mary Younkin says
So glad you like the sauce, Isabel.
DCMom4Life says
Found this recipe while looking for a quick chocolate sauce and decided to give it a try sans refined sugar (which I do not eat). Subbed out cane sugar for coconut sugar (1 for 1) and followed the rest of the recipe exactly. This recipe resulted in a chocolate sauce that reminded me of every amazing sundae I had as a child–only better!! Will def pass your website along and cannot wait to try out more of your recipes. Thank you so much!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like it!
Urooj says
Loved it! Awesome with pancakes too!
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you are enjoying the chocolate sauce, Urooj.
Yeni says
I made this today and it was silky smooth, I used it in homemade ice cream. Can I use it to bake Brownies please?
Mary Younkin says
I have no idea how that might work, Yeni.
Frankendoll says
Delicious recipe!!! I used Hershey’s cocoa and one tablespoon added into the half of a cup of Hershey’s extra dark cocoa and a pinch of instant coffee….sooooo good!!!😋😋😋
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that you like the sauce!
Miara says
Is this the same as chocolate syrup?
Mary Younkin says
Yes, this tastes like Hershey’s syrup, Miara.
jack says
does it have to be that certain salt?
Mary Younkin says
Kosher salt is larger than table salt, Jack. So, you can use table salt, but only half as much or it will wind up tasting salty.
MACKENZIE ALLEN says
Question, please.
Will this stay liquid on ice cream or will it congeal the way ganache does when it hits the cold?
Many thanks!
Mac A.
Mary Younkin says
It stays fairly liquid, Mackenzie.
Ame says
how much time do we let it cooking while stirring?
Mary Younkin says
Once it comes to a boil, you’ll reduce the heat to a simmer and then it only needs to simmer for 30 seconds, Ame.
Valentina Chavarry says
Very good Chocolate sauce overall. Just a suggestion, I added a dash of cinnamon to give it more depth of flavor! Great recipe!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like it, Valentina!
Jennifer says
Just discovered this recipe! Thank you for sharing!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like it, Jennifer.
CinnamonChild says
Wondering if you could replace the cocoa powder for something like chocolate chips
Mary Younkin says
I haven’t tried that with this recipe.
Barbara says
Wow!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like it, Barbara!
Catherine Scott says
I was so excited to find a chocolate sauce that was easy and not loaded with cream! But I’m disappointed in how thin it is. Is simmering it 30 SECONDS correct? I thought maybe that was a mistake, and a longer simmer would reduce it more.
Mary Younkin says
Yes, you can simmer it longer, Catherine. It will also thicken as it cools.