Homemade Chocolate Syrup

I got this recipe from my friend Kiley.  Super yummy and cheaper than store bought.  After I finished using up a Smuckers caramel sauce, I washed the bottle.  It is PERFECT for our homemade chocolate syrup!

1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 cup water
2 cups sugar (or little less)
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp vanilla

Mix the cocoa powder and the water in a saucepan.  Heat and stir to dissolve the cocoa.  Add the sugar, stir to dissolve.  Boil 3 minutes over medium heat (be mindful not to let it boil over!).  Stir int he salt and the vanilla.  Let cool.  Pour into a clean container, and store in the refrigerator for several weeks - if it lasts that long!  Yield: 2 cups.

You can certainly toy around with this recipe.  Add some cinnamon (and maybe a dash of cayenne for the bold) for instant Mexican chocolate flavor to your [insert desired sweet].  Or how about some peppermint extract?  Orange extract?  Get creative!

This makes absolutely delicious hot chocolate and is of course perfect for ice cream
!  I also use it with half/half, a pinch of sugar, and normal amount of coffee to make a wonderful mocha latte.  See you less frequently, Starbucks!