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!
I just made this for the third time. I love that I can use organic staple ingredients for much less that we’d pay for organic bottled chocolate syrup (almost $7 a bottle where we live!) Unlike some of the comments I read regarding the syrup not thickening, I haven’t had this happen and find it thickens nicely in the fridge.Thanks for the delicious recipe!
While my syrup didn't really thicken, it's the best syrup EVER! Delicious and so simple. Will never buy Hershey's again!
Made this yesterday with my son and it's REALLY good! Unfortunately, it's also really thin. Is it supposed to thicken up? I cooked it longer than the recipe called for, but that didn't help, and it didn't thicken after it chilled.
How long will this last in the fridge?
As luck would have it, I just found some cool straws on garnish.com They are paper, though and come in blue and white polka dot or striped, red and white polka or striped, and gray and white striped. They look cute!
I'm trying this with my little ones in the morning. As for the milk bottles, I'll be using Starbucks Frappuccino bottles I "accidently" forgot to throw out. They look just like old milk bottles for that nostalgic feeling 🙂
Gonna make this recipe right now. So glad I found it, now i can make chocolate milk without the guilt! =)
Can you tell me where you got those straws? I've been trying to find the red striped ones thy show in Hershey commercials, but no avail….
Can't wait to give this a try. I will be linking this up on my blog for Friday Food Finds. Thanks for sharing!
You just made my day!! As a big chocolate lover, I was devastated when I all of a sudden developed a chocolate allergy over the holidays. I have discovered carob, a bean very similar to cocoa, and purchased some powder to try in various recipes. I am anxious to try it with this one! Thanks!!