Let’s start the year off right… with chocolate! As many of us adjust our eating habits a bit, this simple treat could be the perfect way to satisfy a sweet tooth without falling off the wagon entirely. Mix this delicious chocolate syrup into a glass of skim milk, and you have a sweet, yet still light treat.
I love when I can re-create a recipe at home that is as good or better than the store-bought version, and this homemade chocolate syrup makes the cut! I have recently had a hard time finding store bought chocolate syrup that doesn’t contain overly processed sugars (high fructose corn syrup), preservatives and artificial flavors. A simple look in my old Better Homes and Gardens cookbook revealed an easy recipe that sounded like it could be a great solution. Of course the real test is, does it actually taste good… and I’m very pleased to say, yes! In fact the flavor and thickness of this homemade syrup is extremely similar to that familiar brown bottle of Hershey’s. I would even go so far as to say this taste better!
Homemade Chocolate Syrup
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I use Ghirardelli)
1 cup water
dash of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
In a small saucepan, add sugar, cocoa, and salt. Whisk together gently. Add water. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and cook 1 minute. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Cool. Store in the refrigerator.
For delicious chocolate milk, add 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup to 8 oz. of milk. Heat for hot chocolate.
For milk shakes, combine 1 cup cold milk, 1/4 cup chocolate syrup and 2 cups (1 pint) of vanilla ice cream to a blender. Blend.
This syrup would also make a delicious dessert garnish or ice cream topping.
Recipe source- Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook, 1968.
I put the cool syrup into a icing bottle I already had on hand (available at craft stores in the cake decorating department). A bottle designed for ketchup or dressing could also work.
How to Make Homemade Chocolate Syrup
Homemade Chocolate Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder I use Ghirardelli
- 1 cup water
- dash of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, add sugar, cocoa, and salt.
- Whisk together gently.
- Add water.
- Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat and cook 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and add vanilla.
- Cool.
- Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
{Prop notes: The large bottle I have the milk in I bought from Cost Plus World Market, but they are also sold at Farmhouse Wares. The smaller bottles I put the chocolate milk in I bought on Etsy a while back, and the shop is no longer open. I also own a few I’ve bought at antique stores and on Ebay. Shop Sweet Lulu has some similar, smaller ones.}
Enjoy!
Cookin' Canuck says
Now this is the kind of chocolate syrup I would like to serve my kids. Real ingredients, without all the questionable items in store-bought versions.
Jo says
Looks delicious. Would love for you to share your pictures with us over at foodepix.com.
Tracy says
I wonder what the cost breakdown is compared to store bought? My kids will only drink chocolate milk. AND I LOVE THOSE MILK BOTTLE GLASSES! Where do I get them?
Lea says
YUM!!! Thanks for sharing.
With Style and Grace says
now that's homemade chocolate milk, i love it!
The Sweet Cupcaker says
photos are wonderful and I'm so excited to make my own! Thank you!
The BearFoot Baker says
Oh!! I can't wait to make this:) Thanks for sharing! Your photos are beautiful!!!!
mividaenundulce says
Thanks for this recipe, I always like something home made and this syrup looks very easy to do. Not sure how many time we can store it at the fridge, but I think it will disappear very fast…!!!
Jen @ Craftincowgirl says
Yummo!! Do you know how long it keeps in the fridge? Of course, we probably don't have to worry about chocolate syrup going bad in our house, lol! Thank you for sharing this!
Tamara says
Thank you!!! My kids have been dying for chocolate syrup, but I hate all the dyes and chemicals used to make commercial ones. I never thought about making it from scratch, and I have everything we need! I can't wait to try this out.