Simple Homemade Chocolate Syrup Recipe | Easy & Quick
When it comes to indulging in something sweet, nothing beats using real ingredients in your own kitchen. One of my favorite ways to elevate simple desserts is by making sauces and syrups from scratch, like this homemade chocolate syrup recipe.
This Chocolate Syrup recipe is part of my Harvest Jar Gift Series where I’m partnering with Roots and Harvest to share great gift ideas to give in their glass pint and quart jars over the holiday season. If you like this post make sure to check out the others we have in this series! And thank you to Roots and Harvest for making such high quality jars and canning supplies. Check them out and use code Eryn15 for 15% off your order + free shipping!
Harvest Jar Gift Series:
Along with my homemade caramel sauce, this syrup has become a staple in our home. It’s easy to whip up using simple ingredients like unsweetened cocoa powder, organic cane sugar, and water. Plus, you know exactly what’s going into it, so you can avoid the high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors found in many store-bought brands.
Whether you’re mixing it into a cup of milk for a decadent homemade latte or drizzling it over ice cream, this syrup offers endless possibilities. Trust me, once you try this homemade syrup, you’ll never go back to Hershey’s syrup or any other store-bought brand!
Why Make Your Own Chocolate Syrup?
The simple truth why you should make your own is in this ingredient list from the standard syrups in stores:
The reason they add all these questionable ingredients into your chocolate syrup?
Simple: Shelf Life & Profit.
Real food doesn’t last as long (I.E. years on a store shelf) So it’s not cost effective to use whole food ingredients. Plus, it’s more expensive for companies to make high quality ingredient products. Which is all kinds of disappointing.
But I digress.
My homemade chocolate syrup keeps well in the fridge for up to two months. But, honestly, with its rich, decadent flavor, it’s likely to disappear long before then! Luckily, whipping up another batch is a breeze.
Making Your Own Syrup Benefits:
I love making this syrup, and not just because it’s delicious. When you make your own chocolate syrup, you’re in control of the quality of the ingredients—no more worrying about what’s lurking in those store-bought bottles!
Plus, you avoid high fructose corn syrup and get to enjoy a clean recipe with real food. Here are just a few reasons why this is a favorite in my kitchen:
- Simple Ingredients: Just five pantry staples you probably already have, including unsweetened cocoa powder and sugar.
- Long Shelf Life: This syrup stores well in the fridge for weeks, making it an easy go-to when the craving for chocolate hits.
- Versatility: Use it as an ice cream topping, stir it into hot chocolate, or drizzle it on fresh fruit.
- Homemade Tastes Better: The rich, chocolaty flavor is far superior to anything you can get at the grocery store.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This simple recipe only requires a few pantry staples:
- 1/2 cup quality unsweetened cocoa powder (Azure Standard is my go-to)
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups organic cane sugar
- 1/8 tsp salt (I love the Redmond Real Salt brand)
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract (Find out how to make your own in this post)
How to Make Homemade Chocolate Syrup
This wonderful recipe comes together in just a few simple steps. In under 15 minutes, you’ll have a delicious homemade chocolate sauce that’s perfect for drizzling on the top of ice cream or stirring into hot cocoa!
Instructions:
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar, and water until smooth.
- Place over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly to ensure the sugar dissolves.
- Once it starts bubbling, let it boil for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking.
- Remove from heat and stir in the kosher salt and vanilla extract.
- Let the syrup cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container like a mason jar or glass jar.
Feel free to experiment with different sweeteners, like coconut sugar or maple syrup. Just know the thickness at the end will change based on what you use. It will still taste amazing either way!
Storing Your Homemade Chocolate Syrup
This syrup can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container like a mason jar or a squeeze bottle for easy pouring. It will keep for 1-2 months, so it’s always ready for your next batch of chocolate milkshakes or homemade latte.
Pro Tip: If the syrup thickens too much after refrigeration, simply set in a bit of warm water for around 15 minutes before using.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Customize the Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet syrup, reduce the sugar to 1 1/2 cups, or use agave syrup for a natural sweetener.
- Extra Richness: For an even richer flavor, add a tablespoon of instant coffee powder when you combine water and cocoa.
- Add a Seasonal Twist: Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or a few drops of peppermint extract for a festive touch.
- Make It Dairy-Free: This recipe is naturally dairy-free, making it perfect for vegans or those avoiding dairy.
- Chocolate Gravy?: For a Southern twist, serve this syrup warm over biscuits like a decadent chocolate gravy!
Why This Recipe Works
This easy homemade chocolate syrup is a perfect balance of sweetness and rich chocolate flavor, thanks to the unsweetened cocoa powder and just the right amount of organic cane sugar. The touch of vanilla rounds it out, while the pinch of salt enhances the depth of the cocoa. It’s versatile enough to be used as an ice cream topping, a mix-in for hot fudge or chocolate milkshakes, or a drizzle on top of a freshly baked cheesecake.
Serving Suggestions
This syrup is incredibly versatile. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:
- Stir into warm or cold milk for a quick, homemade hot chocolate or chocolate milkshake.
- Drizzle over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or freshly baked desserts like brownies or cakes.
- Add it to iced coffee or use it to create your own homemade latte.
- Pour it over fresh fruits like strawberries or bananas for a healthy dessert.
- Or, enjoy it by the spoonful when you’re in need of a chocolate fix!
Never Looking Back
Once you try this homemade chocolate syrup recipe, you’ll never go back to any other chocolate syrup store-bought brand again. The real ingredients and rich flavor make all the difference, and you’ll love how versatile it is—from drizzling on your favorite desserts to stirring it into hot cocoa or coffee.
Give this clean recipe a try, and I’m sure your whole family will love it as much as mine does!
Chocolate Syrup
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup quality unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups organic cane sugar
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar, and water until smooth.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly to help the sugar dissolve.
Let it boil for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
Remove from heat and stir in the salt and vanilla extract.
Let cool completely before transferring to an airtight container like a mason jar.
