Chocolate syrup is a sweet, sticky liquid made from cocoa powder, corn syrup or sugar, water, vanilla, and sometimes salt or other flavorings. It is commonly used as a topping or ingredient in desserts, drinks, and baked goods to add a rich chocolate flavor.
What are some common uses for chocolate syrup?
Here are some of the most popular ways chocolate syrup is used:
- Ice cream sundaes – Chocolate syrup is drizzled over ice cream sundaes as a topping.
- Milkshakes and smoothies – Adding chocolate syrup to milkshakes and smoothies gives them a chocolate flavor.
- Chocolate milk – Mixing chocolate syrup with milk makes an easy chocolate milk drink.
- Hot chocolate – Stirring chocolate syrup into hot milk or water makes hot chocolate.
- Cakes and cupcakes – Chocolate syrup can be used between cake layers, in cake batter, or as a topping for cupcakes.
- Pancakes and waffles – Drizzling chocolate syrup over pancakes and waffles adds sweet chocolate flavor.
- Bananas and fruit – Fresh banana slices or other fruits like strawberries can be dipped in chocolate syrup.
- Ice cream floats – For an ice cream float, chocolate syrup is added to carbonated beverages like root beer or Coke.
- Mocha drinks – Chocolate syrup and coffee are combined to make mocha lattes and other coffee drinks.
- Chocolate fondue – Melted chocolate and chocolate syrup are perfect for dipping fruit, cake, marshmallows, and more in fondue.
What ingredients are commonly found in chocolate syrup?
The main ingredients in chocolate syrup typically include:
- Cocoa powder – This provides the chocolate flavor. Natural or Dutch-processed cocoa powder is used.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar or corn syrup sweetens the chocolate syrup.
- Water – Water hydrates and thins out the syrup so it has a pourable consistency.
- Vanilla extract – Vanilla enhances the chocolate flavor and aroma.
- Salt – A small pinch of salt balances out some of the sweetness.
- Emulsifiers – Lecithin or polysorbate 80 help keep the syrup from separating.
- Preservatives – Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate extend shelf life.
Some chocolate syrups also include thickeners like xanthan gum or guar gum to give the syrup more body. Flavorings like coffee or mint may be added as well. High quality chocolate syrups rely on cocoa powder, sugar, and vanilla for flavor without many stabilizers or preservatives.
What are the different types of chocolate syrup?
There are a few main types of chocolate syrup:
- Traditional chocolate syrup – This is made with cocoa powder, corn syrup, and flavorings. It has a very sweet, intense chocolate taste.
- Gourmet chocolate syrup – Gourmet syrups use higher quality Dutch processed cocoa powder and natural cane sugar. They have a deeper chocolate flavor and less artificial taste.
- Sugar free chocolate syrup – For diabetics and low carb/low sugar diets, sugar free chocolate syrup is made with zero calorie sweeteners like sucralose instead of sugar.
- Mocha syrup – Adds a coffee flavor along with chocolate. Mocha syrup works well in coffee drinks.
- Other flavored chocolate syrups – Mint, orange, strawberry, caramel, and other flavors are sometimes available too.
Homemade chocolate syrup can also be made from just a few simple ingredients like cocoa powder, melted chocolate, maple syrup or honey, vanilla, and milk or cream.
Does chocolate syrup need to be refrigerated after opening?
Refrigerating chocolate syrup after opening will extend its shelf life and preserve flavor and texture longer. However, it does not necessarily need to be refrigerated due to the high sugar content and preservatives used in most commercial chocolate syrups.
Here are some syrup storage guidelines:
- Unopened chocolate syrup lasts 12-24 months stored in a pantry.
- Once opened, syrup will last 3-4 weeks in the pantry before quality declines.
- For best quality and longer shelf life, refrigerate opened chocolate syrup.
- Refrigerated opened syrup lasts 6-8 months.
If chocolate syrup develops any mold, thickening, separation, or strange smells or flavors, it should be discarded.
Does chocolate syrup go bad?
Yes, chocolate syrup can eventually go bad, although its high sugar content helps preserve it. Signs that chocolate syrup has gone bad include:
- Mold growing on the syrup
- Change in color to brown, gray, or green
- Separation, with the syrup becoming oily or watery
- Thick, clumpy texture
- Sour or rancid smell
- Change in flavor, such as bitterness or sourness
The above signs indicate the syrup should be thrown out. As long as it appears homogeneous in texture and color with no mold, chocolate syrup stored properly in an unopened container or refrigerated when opened can last over a year past any best by date.
Is chocolate syrup gluten free?
Most chocolate syrups are gluten free as they are made without barley, rye, or wheat. However, some chocolate syrups may contain malt or barley malt as an ingredient. Malt is sometimes derived from gluten containing grains.
To be sure your chocolate syrup is gluten free, check the label carefully looking for ingredients like:
- Malted milk or barley malt
- Malt extract or malt flavoring
- Dextrin
- Caramel color
Some brands that make gluten free chocolate syrups include Hershey’s, Smucker’s, AH!LASKA, Torani, Fox’s U-bet, and Santa Cruz Organic.
If you have celiac disease or a gluten allergy, only consume chocolate syrups that are certified gluten free to be safe. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer to ask about their manufacturing processes involving grains.
Is chocolate syrup vegan?
Some chocolate syrups are vegan while others contain milk ingredients or potential animal products. To be sure a chocolate syrup is vegan, check the ingredient list for:
- Milk, milk solids, or milk powder
- Butter or butterfat
- Cream
- Eggs or egg products
- Honey
- Gelatin
- Natural flavors (may come from dairy or meat)
Many brands that make vegan chocolate syrup include Santa Cruz Organic, Ah!Laska, Fox’s U-bet, Gertrude Hawk, Torani, and Hershey’s Special Dark syrup. Check labels carefully or contact the manufacturer to confirm no animal products are used in a particular chocolate syrup.
Is chocolate syrup keto-friendly?
Standard chocolate syrup is not keto-friendly as it is high in sugar, which increases carb content. Many keto dieters avoid chocolate syrup or only use it in very small amounts occasionally as a treat.
However, there are a few keto-friendly chocolate syrup options made with low carb sugar substitutes like erythritol or stevia. Brands making keto chocolate syrup include Walden Farms, Jordan’s Skinny Syrups, and Choc Zero.
When choosing a keto chocolate syrup, look for minimal carbs, no added sugars, and sweetening done with erythritol, stevia, monk fruit, sucralose, or inulin fiber instead of regular corn syrup. Check the nutrition label to ensure low carb and sugar content.
Can you make homemade chocolate syrup?
Yes, it is easy to make delicious homemade chocolate syrup with just a few ingredients:
Basic Homemade Chocolate Syrup
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Whisk together the cocoa powder and sugar in a small saucepan.
- Add the water, vanilla, and salt and whisk until smooth.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat and let cool. Syrup will thicken as it cools.
- Pour into a jar and store refrigerated up to 1 month.
For richer homemade syrup, substitute 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup whole milk for the water. You can also experiment with different sugars or sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or stevia.
No-Cook Homemade Chocolate Syrup
This quick no-cook chocolate syrup only requires whisking together for an easy homemade version:
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup sweetener like honey, maple syrup, or sugar
- 1/4 cup milk of choice
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Pinch of salt
- In a small bowl, whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
- Adjust milk or sweetener to reach desired consistency.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion
Chocolate syrup brings rich chocolate flavor, sweetness, and versatility to a wide variety of desserts, drinks, and other applications. It is made from simple ingredients like cocoa powder, sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla. While it can eventually go bad if left for too long, chocolate syrup has a long shelf life when stored properly and refrigerated after opening. With ingredients on hand, chocolate syrup can easily be whipped up homemade too.