Homemade chocolate syrup is so easy to make, you’ll never buy it at the grocery store again!

Chocolate syrup being poured on a small bowl of ice cream.

Have you ever looked at the backside of bottle of chocolate syrup and read the ingredient list? There are some that are better than others, but you’ll be surprised to know just how easy it is to make homemade chocolate syrup.

Made with five very simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, it’s easy to prep, and this easy chocolate syrup recipe cooks for only a few minutes.

Once it’s done, it is ready for ice cream, cakes, cookies, pancakes, or whatever delicious treat you have in mind.

Use it right away (be careful, it’s hot!) or let it cool a bit. It will thicken as it cools, so it’s preferred to let it cool at least a touch before using.

Homemade chocolate syrup in a clear glass bottle.

About this chocolate syrup

The vanilla in this chocolate syrup brings out the fudgy flavor, and this creamy chocolate syrup brings out the best in your cooking and baking. 

Sweet, rich, fudgy, and just right for drizzling, dipping, and swirling, this chocolate syrup is a delicious addition to whatever you have cooking.

This syrup makes the best chocolate milk in the summer and hot chocolate in the winter, and is great mixed into cocktails like mudslides or chocolate martinis as well. 

Homemade chocolate syrup being poured on a tall stack of pancakes.

Chocolate sauce is also the perfect consistency for topping waffles and crepes. Try it on strawberry waffles, along with a sliced fresh strawberries for a real treat. Chocolate sauce is a great chocolate dip for snacks like pretzel rods and graham crackers, too.

And of course, it’s great on pancakes! Try it on chocolate chip pancakes, banana pancakes, buttermilk pancakes, or double chocolate pancakes.

A stack of pancakes with chocolate sauce being poured on them.

Try it in malts, milkshakes, sundaes, and more! 

Whenever you need a little chocolate syrup in your life, this one’s got you covered.

Cut pancakes on a fork, being dipped into chocolate syrup.

What’s in this recipe

It couldn’t be easier! Truly, only 5 ingredients.

  • Cocoa Powder – Make sure to use the unsweetened kind, since you’ll be adding sugar as well. Dark cocoa powder also works for a richer, darker sauce.
  • Sugar – Just regular ol’ granulated sugar.
  • Water – Seriously this recipe couldn’t be any easier.
  • Vanilla Extract – The addition of vanilla really draws out the flavors of the cocoa and adds nice balance.
  • Salt – This balances out the sweetness. You won’t notice it’s there, but it’s important.
Five small bowls of ingredients: cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla, water, and salt.

How to make homemade chocolate syrup

Grab a medium size saucepan, and whisk together cocoa powder, sugar, and salt.

Sauce pan with sugar, salt, and cocoa powder in it.

Whisk in water and heat over medium heat until boiling. Boil for 2-3 minutes, or until thickened slightly. Keep a close eye on it, stirring it nearly constantly.

Sauce will thicken as it cools.

In process picture of chocolate sauce in a saucepan.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Saucepan with chocolate, small bowl of vanilla extract next to it.

Cool and store in the fridge, ready and waiting to be drizzled on all our favorite things!

Chocolate syrup in three small bowls with spoons.

How to make this chocolate syrup your own:

  • Make it minty. Add ¼ teaspoon mint extract to make a chocolate mint sauce. Other extracts can be added, too. Be creative!
  • Make it mocha. Add a dash of espresso powder for a hint of coffee. 
  • Add it to coffee drinks. This syrup is great in coffee drinks or cocktails that use a coffee or a chocolate base, like kahlua and cream, or a chocolate martini made with vodka, chocolate sauce, and amaretto, cream, and Irish cream.
Chocolate sauce on a spoon.

Make Ahead Ideas

This recipe is great to make ahead. It’s better if it has a chance to cool a bit. Plan to make it the day before you want to use it and you’ll have it ready to go!

Storage Suggestions

Store in a covered container in the fridge. We like to keep it in a squeeze bottle. It will keep for a few weeks in your fridge.

Bottle of brown liquid, small bowl next to it, cocoa powder all around.

More sauce and topping recipes

Close up of ice cream with syrup.
Chocolate syrup dripping off a spoon into a small bowl.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Syrup

Homemade chocolate syrup is so easy to make, you’ll never buy it at the grocery store again!
4.80 from 5 rating

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • In saucepan, whisk cocoa, sugar, and salt.
    Sauce pan with sugar, salt, and cocoa powder in it.
  • Whisk in water and heat over medium heat until boiling. Boil for 2-3 minutes, or until thickened slightly. Sauce will thicken as it cools.
    In process picture of chocolate sauce in a saucepan.
  • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
    Saucepan with chocolate, small bowl of vanilla extract next to it.
  • Cool and store in refrigerator.
    Chocolate syrup in a white bowl.

Notes

  • makes about 2 cups
  • adapted from allrecipes.com
  • double batch pictured
Serving: 2tablespoon, Calories: 62kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 38mg, Potassium: 82mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 13g, Calcium: 7mg, Iron: 1mg