Homemade Chocolate Syrup
Homemade chocolate syrup is a delicious treat that tastes great drizzled over pancakes or as a topping for ice cream. It’s also a healthier option than grocery store-bought chocolate syrup because it is made with natural ingredients and contains no artificial sweeteners or preservatives. This homemade chocolate syrup recipe is simple, inexpensive, and easy to make.
Chocolate syrup has long been a favorite dessert topping. The sweet, thick liquid is often served alongside desserts such as ice cream, cakes, pies, and cookies. It can be used to make chocolate milk, chocolate milkshakes, chocolate lattes, and hot chocolate, too.
While chocolate may be the nectar of the gods, don’t confuse this sweet syrup concoction for a drink. While you might want to drink it by the gallon, it is not a drink – it’s chocolate syrup.
Why Make Your Own Chocolate Syrup?
- You’ll save money by making it yourself.
- It’s easy to make with basic kitchen equipment and simple ingredients.
- It’s delicious and versatile – use it on ice cream, cake, cookies, waffles, pancakes, French toast, etc.
- It’s dairy-free and vegan-friendly. (It makes delicious chocolate almond milk!)
This stuff is really good. I don’t make it often, because it is really good. (I have to practice moderation, you know?) What is great about it is that there are no weird chemicals in this homemade version of chocolate syrup. No binders, no emulsifiers, no HCF – that’s high fructose corn syrup.
Cocoa powder is a natural food additive that gives baked goods their distinctive flavor. Cocoa powder is also known for its health benefits. It contains antioxidants and other nutrients that promote heart health, brain function, and energy levels.
Ingredients
Let’s take a quick look at all of the ingredients in this recipe.
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
How To Make Chocolate Syrup
To make the syrup, whisk 1 cup cocoa powder (the regular variety, not Dutch-processed cocoa) with 2 cups of sugar and ¼ teaspoon of salt in a medium saucepan.
I use a nifty little whisk that I picked up from the Pampered Chef years ago. Use whatever works best for you. You want to make sure that there are no lumps.
Once you have all of the dry ingredients mixed well, add 1 cup of water and stir well. Turn the stove on medium-high heat and stir occasionally.
After about 10 minutes, the mixture will start to boil and will rise. Keep a very close eye on the chocolate mixture. You may need to turn the heat down a bit to keep it from boiling over. Keep stirring and let it gently boil for about 2 minutes, turn off the heat, and remove the saucepan from the burner.
Allow it to cool for 10 minutes and then add 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. Stir it well and then let the syrup cool for about an hour before bottling and refrigerating it.
The longer the syrup boils, the thicker it will end up being. It will also thicken some after it has been refrigerated.
Storage
Store syrup in a mason jar, glass jar, or other airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 months.
Ways To Use Chocolate Syrup
Using homemade chocolate syrup is a great way to add some deliciousness to your life! You can use it as a topping for ice cream, you can drizzle it over cakes or pancakes, or even mix it into plain yogurt. If you’re feeling experimental, you could even try making a chocolate syrup-based cocktail.
You can use it the same way that you would use Hershey’s syrup. You can pour it into a glass of milk and stir to make your own chocolate milk. Place it in a blender with milk and ice cream to make a chocolate milkshake. There are all kinds of things you can use it for. You can even put it in your morning coffee!
What’s the difference between chocolate syrup and fudge sauce?
Chocolate syrup is made by cooking cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt in water. Hot fudge sauce is made using dairy products such as heavy cream, evaporated milk, and/or butter. Both sauces are delicious!
My syrup is too thick. What am I doing wrong?
It’s most likely that the syrup was cooked too long. If that has happened, whisk in a little water to help thin the consistency.
Homemade Chocolate Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla
Instructions
- Place cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a medium-size saucepan and whisk until blended, being sure to break up any clumps.
- Add water and whisk well. Turn heat on to medium and stir often.
- Once mixture begins to boil, boil for 2 more minutes or until it begins to thicken.
- Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes.
- Stir in vanilla and cool for about 45 minutes.
- Pour into container and refrigerate.
Nutrition
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”
― Charles M. Schulz
Be sure to come back and tell us how your chocolate syrup turned out!
Want to see chocolate syrup being made? Take a look at this video by Crouton Crackerjacks:
