Homemade Chocolate Syrup

Bold. Decadent. Velvety smooth. That’s everything you want in chocolate syrup. And this homemade version does not disappoint – it delivers that perfect, intense chocolate flavor your sweet tooth craves. This recipe for homemade chocolate syrup is similar to the stuff you buy in a squeeze bottle but it has a more pronounced chocolate flavor.  We used two types of chocolate for extra impact and REAL chocolate flavor. 

Chocolate syrup has reigned in the cupboards of almost all American kitchens. A staple in every chocolate connoisseur’s home, it’s a versatile, easy way to add extra gooey sweetness to your already-baked goods and sweet treats. 

This year, we dare you to kick it up a notch with our tried and tested homemade chocolate syrup. It’s seriously too good not to share. Not only does it knock the socks off of store-bought, commercially-made syrups, but it’s also a minimal-effort recipe that you can make within minutes. Try dipping these decadent Classic Almond Biscotti into the syrup and we’re certain you’ll become a converted believer. You’ll realize the grocery store version just won’t cut it.

Real chocolate flavor:

This homemade chocolate syrup uses bittersweet chocolate for an incredibly intense and rich chocolate flavor; the robust chocolate-y profile with subtle hints of molasses is everything that’s missing in Hershey’s chocolate syrup. Combined with vanilla, brown sugar, and cocoa powder, you’ll get a truly unique and bold taste that your family will crave over and over. And make sure you don’t skip the salt; it helps balance the sweet and bitter flavors. 

Ways to use chocolate syrup:

We especially like using this chocolate syrup to make the perfect cup of hot chocolate (especially when combined with this homemade marshmallow fluff). Most hot chocolate drinks are often too sugary, but the bittersweet chocolate in this syrup lets us drink to the last drop without any nasty aftertaste. 

Here are some other uses for this chocolate syrup

• Fruit dip. Strawberries, bananas, and apples to name a few.
• Drizzle over ice cream. Try it on strawberry basil ice cream or chocolate stout ice cream.
• Whisk into milk for some quick chocolate milk. Just 2 to 3 tablespoons stirred into some milk. 
• Pour some over a slice of pound cake. 
• Stir into coffee for a quick mocha.
• Fold into whipped cream. 
• Stir into yogurt. 
• Slather over cheesecake. 

Whatever you choose to do with this recipe, we’re certain it’ll make anything taste that much better. Whether you’re serving it with fresh fruit, drizzling it on ice cream, dressing up your pancakes, making a simple chocolate milk (oh how we reminisce), or using it as a base for hot chocolate like us – you’ll love having this sinfully sweet addition on hand to pour, drizzle, and devour. 

Ingredients needed for homemade chocolate syrup.

• Cocoa powder. Purchase unsweetened cocoa powder. 
• Brown sugar. Brown sugar gives the chocolate syrup a more complex flavor. We prefer light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar seemed to overwhelm the chocolate.
• Dark chocolate. Use a good bar chocolate. Do not use chocolate chips which have additives that prevent them from melting well.
• Vanilla extract. Use real vanilla. Not the imitation stuff. 
• Salt. The salt helps balance the sweetness.

How to make homemade chocolate syrup.

You can make this syrup in 3 easy steps. Make sure you scroll down to the recipe card for complete instructions.

1. Heat the sugar, water and salt over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk the cocoa powder until smooth.
3. Stir in the dark chocolate and vanilla extract until the chocolate melts.

Why add the chopped chocolate bar and vanilla extract at the end?

You should take the mixture off the heat before you stir in the chopped chocolate and vanilla. That way they won’t get too hot. If the chocolate gets too hot it can separate or burn. And if the vanilla extract gets too hot some of the extract will evaporate. 

How to store homemade chocolate syrup.

Store this syrup in a sealed container in the fridge. It will last for up to 1 month in the fridge. I have actually kept it for much longer than that knowing that sugar inhibits microbial growth. However, the safest bet is to store it in the freezer if you want to keep it for longer than 1 month. It will keep for up to 6 months in the freezer. 

So go ahead and whip up a jar of this ridiculously easy chocolate syrup. It’s better than the ready-made bottled version in all aspects. With ingredients that you probably have on hand (and can pronounce too), you know exactly what you’re giving your family. And that’s pure chocolate goodness. 

SOME OTHER RECIPES WE ARE SURE YOU WILL LOVE:

• Our decadent hot chocolate is like drinking a chocolate bar. Seriously, this stuff is meant for sipping, not chugging. It is incredibly rich, thick and creamy.
• When you slice into these molten lava cakes a rich, thick chocolate sauce pours out from the center. They make stunning desserts and they only take about 10 minutes to bake. 
• This velvety, smooth and rich chocolate sauce only has two ingredients. It is actually a chocolate ganache that has just the right amount of cream to make it a pourable sauce. 
• There isn’t anything more comforting than chocolate cake topped with chocolate buttercream? This chocolate cake is an all-purpose cake that will satisfy all your chocolate dessert desires.