This Homemade Chocolate Sauce is made with just 5 ingredients and perfect for drizzling on all your favorite desserts!
When it comes to desserts, we ALL know that homemade is best. Whether it’s brownies or cupcakes or chocolate chip cookies… there’s nothing you can buy in a store that will ever compare to the taste of homemade.
Of course, finding the time for it is another story. It’s so much easier to just grab a cake mix or some brownies or literally anything from the bakery… and truth be told… I do it often!
But there’s one rule I always try to follow. And that is to make sure that SOME part of the dessert is homemade. Whether it’s the frosting or the Cool Whip or the addition of homemade Lemon Curd… I’ve discovered that dressing up a store bought dessert with something homemade actually works!
And this Homemade Chocolate Sauce is one of my FAVORITES. It’s rich and chocolatey and insanely delicious, and it instantly takes any dessert to the next level!
what you’ll need for this recipe
Sugar – Sugar is the main ingredient in this chocolate sauce. I used 1 cup of granulated sugar.
Cocoa powder – The second main ingredient, and the one that gives this sauce delicious chocolatey flavor, is cocoa powder. I used 1/3 cup of regular (unsweetened) cocoa powder.
Evaporated milk – 3/4 cup of evaporated milk gives this chocolate sauce an ultra smooth, silky texture. Evaporated milk is made by removing water from fresh milk and then reheating it. The resulting liquid is thicker and creamier than regular milk.
Butter – I also used 1/4 cup of salted butter in this recipe. Butter adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
Vanilla – Finally, I added 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra depth of flavor. You can feel free to substitute almond, raspberry, or orange extract for a different flavor if you’d like!
how to make homemade chocolate sauce
Combine cocoa powder, sugar, and evaporated milk. In a small saucepan, combine the cocoa powder and sugar. Whisk in the evaporated milk and heat over medium-high heat.
Add butter and cook. Add the butter and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to boil.
Stir in vanilla extract. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Serve or store. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later.
*I prefer this chocolate sauce warmed up in the microwave or stovetop.
our favorite desserts to drizzle with chocolate sauce
- No-Churn Cherry Vanilla Ice Cream
- Grandma’s Banana Cake
- Chocolate Mug Cake
- Banana Split Dump Cake
- Banana Split Kabobs
- Frozen Death by Chocolate Pie
- Million Dollar Pie
Homemade Chocolate Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup evaporated milk
- 1/4 cup salted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cocoa powder. Whisk in evaporated milk.
- Add butter and cook and stir, stirring constantly, over medium-high heat until mixture begins to boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for later. For best results, reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop before drizzling over your favorite desserts.
Jess says
Yum! I would love to make this and most definitely be the most favored parent… At least for today. As always Cathy, thank you for the delicious recipe and wonderful inspiration. I love the way your little jars look to give as gifts… So cute.
Lisa says
Made tonight.. super easy and Yum!!!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats says
This looks amazing! I just want to lick the spoon. Your parents sound pretty amazing too 🙂
tanya says
Looks divine Cathy! I could probably just drink this!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
I really loved reading about your family in this well-written post, Cathy! How many brothers and sisters do you have?
This chocolate sauce looks amazing! I like to use chocolate syrup from time to time, but I don’t like to buy the corn syrup versions. More natural chocolate syrups and sauces are very expensive! Next time I’ll try making my own with your recipe instead 🙂 Thanks!
Happy Valley Chow says
I don’t need a spoon, just hand me the jar 🙂 Haha great recipe
Happy Blogging!
Happy Valley Chow
whatjessicabakednext... says
Brilliant idea for Valentine’s day- the sauce looks so silky and velvety! I would happy just eat a whole jar full of that! 🙂
Tonia says
Looks fantastic! My MIL makes chocolate sauce and I take my ice cream with a lot of sauce and a little ice cream!
Jenn says
Love chocolate sauce!
Megin says
This look so yummy! And I’ve been wanting to try making my own sauce.
I’m visiting from Whimsy Wednesday and I’d be so honored if you would share at Brag About It Link Party on VMG206.
~ Megin of VMG206
Marti says
Yumm! I could eat this by itself! I would also add raspberry flavor to it..I love chocolate and raspberry together. Great recipe!! Thank you for sharing it with us at Sewlicious Home Decor! Pinned to the party board! 🙂
Marti
Pam says
Easy, super rich, thick and creamy!!
Cathy Trochelman says
Thanks, Pam!!
Lorraine Hayes says
I just made this chocolate sauce for a Christmas Tea. It is delicious. It is elegant. This sauce was very popular on the homemade butter cake. Thank you.
shannon says
We’re out of chocolate syrup and I wanted a sundae … this took less time to make than a trip to the store, and it reminds me so much of my grandma’s homemade chocolate sauce! Yum, thanks for sharing!! A keeper for sure ????
Cathy Trochelman says
So happy to hear this, Shannon!
Debra says
This is so good. I didn’t discover I was missing evaporated milk until I already dumped the sugar and cocoa into the pot. I substituted with half and half. The sauce still came out fantastic. I’ll use the evaporated milk next time just because I love the caramel undertones. No more store bought sauce for us. Thanks!
Janice Rose says
Thank you for posting this recipe. It is so delicious. . . doesn’t make too much. My grandchildren will love it this Christmas! Will be good over peppermint ice cream or coffee ice cream with a brownie on the bottom! Am really glad I found it!
Sandie B says
This sauce looks yummy! Can you say what the shelf life would be in the fridge?
Thank you!
Cathy Trochelman says
It will be fine in the refrigerator for 2-3 months
Diana says
Can’t wait to make this yummy looking chocolate sauce. I have Vanilla Bean ice cream in the freezer now….and might try making your Cherry Vanilla ice cream.