Your home sundaes will never be the same after you add this simple, incredibly delicious chocolate syrup recipe to your repertoire. It’s the best way to enjoy the distinctively chocolatey boost of Hershey’s without the cost or trip to the store.
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Hershey chocolate syrup
It’s a taste that brings many back to their childhood days — the rich, unique chocolatey flavor of Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup. For a century, it’s been one of the most popular ways to provide a sweet cocoa boost to desserts, milk, and, of course, ice cream.
But did you know you don’t even need to head to the store to enjoy it? It’s simple enough to make right in your own kitchen in just minutes.
What makes Hershey’s chocolate syrup so good?
What is there to say about chocolate — in particular, the instantly recognizable version produced by The Hershey Company? The slight tang accompanying the traditional sweet creaminess makes it distinctively craveable, especially in syrup form, where the ooey-gooey texture further enhances the experience.
Why you’ll love this recipe
Why spend the money on premade syrup when you can make this one that’s just as delicious right at home for a fraction of the price? A single canister of cocoa powder is enough for several batches of homemade Hershey’s syrup, while the other ingredients are cheap or used in small quantities, like vanilla.
It’s also fast. In just about ten minutes, you can go from raw ingredients to a sweet, rich, mouthwatering sauce that’s ready to use. Plus, with no cooking techniques other than measuring and stirring, it’s simple enough for anyone to make, no matter how much (or little) experience they have in the kitchen.
Chocolate syrup ingredients
This simple but delicious recipe requires just a few simple-to-find ingredients:
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Sugar
- Water
- Vanilla
- Table Salt
While the recipe calls for traditional Hershey’s cocoa powder, you can also experiment with alternatives like Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa Baking Powder for an even more decadent flavor twist.
How to make Hershey’s chocolate syrup
There are only a few simple steps to make this homemade chocolate syrup recipe:
- Combine cocoa, sugar, and salt in a saucepan.
- Add water and whisk until there are no lumps and the mixture is smooth.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, and boil for one minute. Be careful it doesn’t overboil.
- Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
- Add the vanilla extract and stir until combined.
How to use homemade Hershey’s chocolate syrup
We probably don’t have to tell you that one of the best ways to enjoy this Hershey’s syrup is poured over a bowl of ice cream and other sundae toppings. But there are plenty of other great options, too:
- Stir a spoonful or two into milk for indulgent chocolate milk
- Amp up the flavor of hot chocolate or mocha coffee drinks
- Drizzle it over baked goods, brownies, waffles, or pancakes
- Dip fruit like strawberries, apples, bananas, grapes, kiwi, and many others in it
- Dip pretzels for a sweet and salty combination
- Try it over hot buttered biscuits for true decadence!
How to store Hershey’s chocolate syrup
Homemade Hershey’s chocolate syrup is a great option to make in batches, so it’s ready when you’re craving a glass of chocolate milk or a sundae.
Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. A mason jar is great for storing it.
It’s generally not recommended to freeze the syrup, which can cause issues with texture and consistency when thawed.
How long does homemade chocolate syrup last?
When stored correctly, this homemade Hershey’s chocolate syrup recipe will last up to two weeks in the fridge. This is shorter than many store-bought versions since it’s free from preservatives, stabilizers, and other additives.
Like any sauce or condiment stored for extended periods, you should always check for any off smells or issues with texture before eating.
Is there a difference between chocolate syrup and chocolate sauce?
While many people use the terms interchangeably, there’s actually a firm difference between chocolate sauce and syrup. Chocolate sauce is a thick concoction based on cocoa powder, sugar, and cream. Syrup, on the other hand, is thinner and replaces the cream with water. It’s easier and more affordable to make, not to mention a bit healthier.
Love chocolate? Make these recipes
- Chocolate Lava Meltdown
- Chocolate Puff Pastry Turnovers
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treat Bars
- Quick and Easy Chocolate Pie
- Chocolate Pizza
- Chocolate Pecan Pie
- Homemade Truffles
- Chocolate Chip Biscotti Recipe
- Chocolate Pudding Cake Recipe from Scratch
Make homemade ice cream to top with chocolate syrup
Be sure to take a look at more of my easy dessert recipes and the best copycat recipes.
Homemade Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cocoa Hershey’s
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine cocoa, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Add water, and mix until smooth.
- Bring this mixture to a boil. Allow it to boil for one minute, be careful this does not over boil.
- Remove from heat, when this cools add the vanilla.
Annie Miller
I made this using hersheys special dark coco powder and coconut sugar. I made it to go in my coffee, its sooo good!!
Marshall
I made this exactly as written, except I let it boil for three minutes as some commenters recommended. Absolutely delicious and at least as good as the original, and at a fraction of the cost. Thanks!
Dylan DeWolf
Definitely BETTER than Any Store Bought Syrup, that I’ve tried over the years..
Merry Parker
Thank you for this recipe. ❤
Christine W.
I’m looking for a copy cat recipe like this one because I’m less concerned with the fat/ sugar intake. And more so about all the micro plastics. Moderation sure. But I trust my own cooking & storage methods over mega corporations who need to cut costs in order to keep product quality standards the same. So that being said. Thank you again! I look forward to whipping this up for a treat for my family.
Marie
I don’t want all the calories. Could I make this using Stevia?
~Thanks
Stephanie Manley
I am sorry I haven’t tried making a sugar free version.
Julie
I just finished making this chocolate syrup. My husband, the chocoholic, raved over how much better this was than the bottled Ghirardelli syrup. This gets 5 stars and 2 snaps up. Thanks for an easy (and delicious) homemade version.
Sharon
Have made this many times and it so good. The only time it did not turn out well was when I let it boil for an extra minute or so…was too thick to come out of the bottle. I was still buying Hershey’s when I found the recipe so I recycled the Hershey bottle and that is what I keep mine in the fridge. Thanks so much for the recipe 😀.
Mehndi
This recipe was very easy to follow and took no time at all.
Sam Fernandez
I got a good quality of chocolate syrup fresh from DeCocoa India
Michelle
I did everything the recipe said but it’s really thin how do I thinking it
Carlo
Yeah, yeah, I’m 2 years late, but In the future, try boiling it longer. The water will evaporate which will make it less runny
BK
how long does it store in the fridge?
Sharon
Not long enough if you ask my grandkids!s
Karen Wengert
I have made this before and it tastes like the real thing. Just make sure that you let it boil for the time it says and then let it cool completely before you put it in the bottle and it comes out great. I also store mine in the fridge, that helps to thicken it up too.
Cindy
I made this exactly as written but it seems too thin. Is there something I can do now that would thicken it?
Venesha Curry
I let it boil 1 to 2 min longe comes out perfectly
Howard K
It’s really fun that there are "kopycat" recipes especially since eating out is sooo expensive! But, it’s all fat and salt, creams, sugars, etc; it’s not healthy food! Boomers are paying the health price for growing up and indulging on this kind of food. Like I said, it’s really a great site but, good things in moderation folks! That bypass is a cinnabon away!
Frederic E. Kahler
Kopycat, like everyone else out there, from McDonald’s to Euell Gibbons, does not hold the spoon to your mouth and shout, “Devour!” And how many healthy foods require much of a recipe to copy? If you look at magazines during rationing years, e.g., WWII. and they will be replete with copycat recipes for name brand candy bars, but we were eating far fewer than these days. Most healthy or comfort foods are found in cookbooks already, so here they might appear redundant. And we can eat vicariously. We can read these dissections of name brand offerings for that pleasure alone, such is the Western fascination with answers. One thing we can take from copykat is that sugar can take the place of HFCS – that boomers and Millennials can eat a little healthier here.
Nicole R
Well said, it always amazes me what people complain about. If you don’t want to eat that way then don’t. However a special treat meal of “high fat, salt, cream and sugars” once in a blue moon is not going to kill someone.