Chocolate Simple syrup is easy enough to do but can make a giant impact on your chocolate baked goods! (Not to mention a cocktail!) 😜
A few years ago I started using Simple Syrup on my cakes. I absolutely love what it does to my homemade baked goods!
What is Simple Syrup?
Simply put it keeps the cake moist throughout every stage of assembly and decoration. Not only does it help keep your cake moist, it adds a slight sweetness which is always good!
How Do You Store Simple Syrup?
I like to store my simple syrup in a plastic bottle that has easy pouring and can close/seal. If you do not have a bottle you can store it in an airtight container and brush it over the cake with a pastry brush. It lasts about 2 weeks in a refrigerator.
How to Make Chocolate Simple Syrup
The simple syrup recipe is beyond easy, and the chocolate simple syrup recipe is simply a couple more ingredients! Just 4 ingredients and about 10 minutes (including cooling time!) are all you need. Feel free to use dark cocoa or dutch process cocoa in this recipe.
How to Use Simple Syrup
When your cake is out of the oven, cooled to room temperature, and leveled if needed, pour chocolate simple syrup over cake. The amounts vary, but I generally pour over the entire top of the cake and allow it to soak in.
After I pour the simple syrup over the cake (and it soaks in) I will wrap it in plastic wrap then store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
If I am freezing cake I will soak layer with simple syrup, wrap in plastic wrap, then place the wrapped cake in a sealable plastic bag or air-tight container. (I have stored cakes this way for up to 3 months.)
Chocolate Simple syrup is easy enough to do but can make a giant impact on your chocolate baked goods!
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
-
Place a medium saucepan over medium heat.
-
Add all ingredients to the pan and stir continuously with a whisk allowing the simple syrup to come to a boil, about 3-4 minutes.
-
Remove from heat and let syrup cool to room temperature.
-
Pour over cakes as needed.
Never thought of chocolate simple syrup. Usually, I make a plain one and keep it on hand for cocktails. What a clever idea.
Can u send/post ur recipe for simple syrup?
I want to try this, but I’m confused about the instrctions. Does it take 3-4 minutes for the mixture to come to a boil or should it boil for 3-4 minutes?
Hi, Joan! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. Bring it to a boil, and then boil it just long enough to get all the sugar dissolved before removing it from the heat. I hope that helps, and have a great day!
YES! YES! YES and YES!!!
There really is nothinh else to say…
What kind of simple syrup would you recommend for red velvet CUPcakes?
This one! <3
Where can I find the cool little pitcher with the perforated top that you use to pour the syrup over the cake?
I got it at my local grocery store 🙂
can i store it on ref for only one day if i need already the cake?
Would this work using a no/low carb sweetener such as swerve instead of sugar?
Could you please give us some tips on how to thicken the Chocolate Simple Syrup?
Not sure why you need it thicker?
I love your posts..they really helped me ..thank you
I presume this would be on vanilla ice cream 🙂
This rescued me! I’m making a cake for my SIL’s 40th. Her daughter has Celiac and I did a ton of research on the best gluten free chocolate cake. Did my best. It came out…ok. Fine. But more like a frosting delivery device than anything you would want to eat on its own.
I had just heard about soaks from Bon Appétit’s Baking School on YouTube (it’s awesome…go watch. I thought I knew a lot but I learned plenty). I realized I’ve used a soak before on a Black Russian Kahlúa cake.
Anyway….I made this. I used the whole portion on three layers and made all the difference. Brought in moisture (even though the cake wasn’t over-baked$ and great flavor.
Thank you!!!!
The sugar worked out to 200 g, mixed in the chocolate and 100 g of coffee.
Brought to a boil, then added a tbsp vanilla extract when it had cooled a bit.
Brushing the hot syrup top and bottom to chocolate fudge cake while it was still warm took it to another level.
Thanks for the lead!
Can I use this syrup on ice cream?
If I’m going to make the cakes the day before I frost them, should I soak them, wrap in plastic and refrigerate them? Or, soak them right before I frost them?
Do I have to reduce the amount of sugar I use in the cake batter and buttercream as the syrup would make the cake more sweet?
Thank you for this recipe! I was looking to make my chocolate cake that extra level of chocolatey deliciousness, and this definitely helped me to achieve that. Cheers!
Thank you!! Saved the day.
Have not tried ss yet.
The last cake I made was a bit dry, want to try this.
For use after refrigeration, do you leave out til it is room temp, or can you heat it?
The syrup was amazing, thanks a bunch
Hi what dos c sugar mean and c water ? Xx
Hi, Faye! I work with iambaker and am happy to help with questions. It refers to cups. I have updated the recipe. I hope this helps, and have a wonderful day!
I just stumbled across your blog and I am addicted!!! Thank you so much for sharing “real” ideas, tips, tricks and recipes.. and thank you for making it easy to follow!!
What a delicious simple syrup. Used it for my chocolate cake filled with cookies and cream filling. What a difference from regular simple syrup.
Oh wow! First time trying simple syrup in cake. I used your chocolate recipe. The cake is so much better!! I’m sold!!
Hi…I wanted to use this syrup in red velvet cake,will the syrup effect the colour of red velvet cake?
No, it does not affect color at all.