Chocolate Syrup

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 cup tap water

1 cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla

Find a 2 quart saucepan.  In it, mix the cocoa and water with a wire whisk or fork.  Heat the chocolate water over medium heat, stirring occasionally.  Add the sugar and continue to stir until the sugar dissolves.  Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil.  Reduce the heat to medium low and boil for a full 3 minutes.  Remove the syrup from the heat.  Add the salt and vanilla, stirring to blend.  Pour the syrup into a clean pint sized canning jar, or a clean ketchup container.  Put a good lid on the jar and store it in the fridge.  Use this chocolate syrup to make chocolate milk, or serve it over ice-cream. 

Pancake Syrup

1 cup water

1 cup raw or brown cane sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1 tsp vanilla

a pinch of salt

1 tablespoon butter (optional)

Bring all ingredients to a boil and boil for about 5 minutes or to thicken slightly, then take off of heat and let cool. 

Pioneer Mom's note: This syrup usually gets rave reviews because it simply tastes great! And it costs so little compared to what you have to pay when you buy it. You could make this maple flavored if you prefer, but I think this is so good there is no need to add anything.