Healthy Homemade Vegan Chocolate Sauce

Name: Healthy Homemade Vegan Chocolate Sauce
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; ½-1 cup sugar (, see note); 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/8 teaspoon sea salt

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This vegan chocolate sauce uses only 4 ingredients! It's healthy, homemade and so easy to make. Use it on ice cream or to make chocolate milk.

This chocolate syrup recipe is a family favorite. It's super versatile and perfect to keep on hand!

Glass bottle filled with chocolate sauce on a wooden tray

This post was originally published on August 16, 2021.

This vegan chocolate syrup is even better than the Hershey's chocolate syrup of my youth! Not only can you use it in traditional ways, but it's perfect poured over my vegan brownies for an even more chocolatey experience.

Ingredients

Chocolate sauce, that perfectly sweet and decadent condiment that's good on just about anything! While many store bought chocolate syrups are vegan, they still aren't as healthy as homemade.

In addition to water, you only need a few more simple whole food plant based ingredients to make this chocolate sauce recipe:

Unsweetened cocoa powder
Sugar
Vanilla extract
Sea salt

Ingredients needed to make homemade chocolate syrup in bowls in a wooden surface

How to Make Chocolate Sauce

Once you see how easy it is to make your own vegan chocolate syrup, you'll never go back to store bought! Here's what to do:

Whisk all ingredients in a pot.
Simmer and stir as it cooks until you see it thicken.
Allow to cool, then transfer to an airtight container.
Serve as you want!

Whisk mixing chocolate looking liquid in a pot.

Whisk mixing thick chocolate sauce in a pot.

What to Serve With Chocolate Syrup

Sure, you could just slurp this chocolate syrup up with a spoon, but I highly recommend pairing it with any of these:

Top ice cream
Dunk churros
Drizzle over waffles, pancakes, even oatmeal!
Add even more chocolaty goodness to Gluten Free Lava Cake, brownies, or a Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Make chocolate milk
Stir into coffee
Use as a dip for fruit

Preparation Tips

Here are some helpful hints for making homemade chocolate syrup:

Mix up the flavor by adding in different extracts or seasonings. Try mint or cinnamon, just get creative! Start small and add to taste.
You can adapt the sugar for how sweet you want it. Cane sugar works best but coconut sugar can work too, it will just have a slightly different flavor.
This will thicken more as it cools so keep that in mind when simmering.

Make Ahead and Storage Tips

Prepare this vegan chocolate sauce in advance to have on hand for all your chocolate needs!
Keep the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
It will be really thick when it is cold, you can gently rewarm on the stove or in the microwave to make it more pourable.

Common Questions

What chocolate syrup is vegan?

There are a number of vegan chocolate syrups, and homemade is your best bet to ensure they are completely plant based. Check the label to make sure there are no milk products used.

Is Hershey’s chocolate sauce vegan?

Yes! Hershey's is one of the store bought brands that are vegan.

Is there a difference between chocolate sauce and chocolate syrup?

The two terms are often used interchangeably. However, sauces thicker and are typically made with chocolate and cream. Syrups are a bit thinner and often contain corn syrup.

What is chocolate syrup made from?

Recipes vary, but chocolate syrup can be made simply with unsweetened cocoa powder, water, and sugar.

More Chocolate Vegan Recipes

If your sweet tooth is satisfied with chocolate, you need to try these plant based recipes!