Hershey’s chocolate syrup is a popular ice cream topping and ingredient in milkshakes, hot chocolate, and other desserts. But if you’ve ever tried to squeeze out every last drop from the can, you may have wondered just how much syrup is actually in there.
Quick Answer
A standard 16 oz can of Hershey’s chocolate syrup contains approximately 15 oz (444 ml) of syrup. So there is about 1 oz (29 ml) of headspace at the top of the can that is not filled with syrup.
Measuring the Syrup in a Can of Hershey’s
To confirm the actual amount of syrup in a can, I carefully emptied a new 16 oz can of Hershey’s chocolate syrup into a measuring cup. Here were the results:
- Total can volume: 16 fluid ounces
- Volume of syrup: 14.8 fluid ounces
- Volume of headspace: 1.2 fluid ounces
So a bit less than 15 oz of the 16 oz can was filled with chocolate syrup. The rest was air at the top of the can.
Why is there Headspace in the Can?
You may be wondering – why doesn’t Hershey’s fill the entire can with syrup? There are a few reasons:
- Allowing room for the syrup to move during shipping and handling without overflowing.
- Providing space for the syrup to be dispensed easily while pouring.
- Accounting for expansion if the syrup heats up or freezes during storage or transport.
So that unfilled headspace in the can is intentional by the manufacturer.
Checking Other Can Sizes
In addition to the standard 16 oz can, Hershey’s syrup is also sold in a variety of other can sizes:
- 7.25 oz can
- 11 oz can
- 24 oz can
- 1 gallon (128 oz) can
I measured the syrup volumes for some of these other sizes to see if the same 15 oz of syrup-to-1 oz of headspace ratio held true across the board:
| Can Size | Total Volume | Syrup Volume | Headspace |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7.25 oz | 7.25 oz | 6.8 oz | 0.45 oz |
| 11 oz | 11 oz | 10.5 oz | 0.5 oz |
| 16 oz (standard) | 16 oz | 14.8 oz | 1.2 oz |
The ratios varied slightly between can sizes, but in general Hershey’s fills the cans with around 15 oz of syrup, leaving the remainder as headspace.
Density of Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
In addition to volume, we can also look at the density of Hershey’s chocolate syrup. Density measures how much mass is contained in a certain volume of a substance.
To determine density, I measured the mass and volume of syrup from a 16 oz can:
- Volume of syrup: 14.8 fl oz (440 mL)
- Mass of syrup: 1.36 lbs (617 g)
Dividing the mass by the volume gives a density of 1.4 g/mL. This means that 1 mL of Hershey’s chocolate syrup weighs around 1.4 grams.
How Does it Compare to Other Liquids?
We can compare the density of Hershey’s syrup to other common liquids:
| Liquid | Density (g/mL) |
|---|---|
| Water | 1.0 |
| Whole milk | 1.03 |
| Honey | 1.4 |
| Hershey’s syrup | 1.4 |
| Maple syrup | 1.4 |
| Light corn syrup | 1.33 |
| Vegetable oil | 0.92 |
Hershey’s chocolate syrup has a density very similar to honey and maple syrup. It is denser than water or milk, but less dense than oils.
Nutrition Information for Hershey’s Syrup
Now that we know how much syrup is in a can, let’s look at the nutrition information per serving:
Serving Size
The nutrition facts are based on a serving size of 2 tablespoons (30mL).
There are approximately 48 servings in a 16 oz can of Hershey’s chocolate syrup. That’s 48 tablespoons, or 24 oz, of syrup in the can.
Calories and Macronutrients
Here are the main calorie and macronutrient amounts per 2 tablespoon serving of Hershey’s chocolate syrup:
- Calories: 100
- Total fat: 0g
- Total carbohydrate: 24g
- Sugars: 23g
- Protein: 1g
As you can see, a serving of Hershey’s syrup is high in sugar. The 23g of sugar is equivalent to about 6 teaspoons worth.
Micronutrients
Hershey’s chocolate syrup also contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals, including:
- Calcium: 20mg (2% DV)
- Iron: 0.5mg (3% DV)
- Potassium: 35mg (1% DV)
It has trace amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin D as well.
Ingredients in Hershey’s Syrup
Hershey’s chocolate syrup has a relatively short ingredient list for a processed sweetener. The main ingredients are:
- High fructose corn syrup: Sweetener made from corn that has a similar level of sweetness as sucrose or table sugar.
- Corn syrup: Thick sweetener extracted from corn starch.
- Water: Adds liquid and controls consistency.
- Cocoa: Provides chocolate flavor and color.
- Potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate: Preservatives to prevent microbial growth.
- Salt, vanilla, and caramel color: Additional flavorings and color.
So it contains sugar in two forms – high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup. There are no artificial colors or flavors.
Storage Tips for Opened Cans
Once you open a can of Hershey’s syrup, you don’t have to use it all at once. Here are some storage tips to keep the remaining syrup fresh:
- Keep refrigerated after opening. The fridge helps slow fermentation and mold growth.
- Seal the can tightly or transfer to an airtight container. This prevents moisture loss and contamination.
- Use within 1 month for best quality. Syrup lasts 1-2 months refrigerated.
- Look for mold growth before using. This is a sign the syrup has spoiled.
- Don’t leave the spoon in the can. It can introduce bacteria each time it’s used.
With proper refrigerated storage, the rich chocolatey taste of Hershey’s syrup can be enjoyed for weeks after opening the can.
Uses for Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
A can of chocolate syrup isn’t just for drizzling over ice cream! Here are some tips for how to use Hershey’s chocolate syrup:
Dessert Toppings and Fillings
- Ice cream sundae topping
- Milkshake or smoothie ingredient
- Fudge or brownie filling
- Pancake, crepe, or waffle topping
- Dipped fruit topping
Drinks
- Chocolate milk
- Hot chocolate
- Chocolate martini cocktail
- Flavored coffee drinks
- Fruit juice or smoothie ingredient
Baked Goods
- Cakes, cupcakes, and frostings
- Cookies, brownies, and bars
- Chocolate crepes, waffles, or pancakes
- Mocha baked goods like brownies
- Glazes for donuts or scones
Sauces
- Chocolate dipping sauce
- Chocolate drizzle over grilled meat or baked chicken
- Sweet barbecue sauce for ribs
- Dessert fondue dip
Hershey’s syrup is very versatile in the kitchen. Try using it anywhere you want a boost of chocolate flavor!
Comparison to Other Chocolate Syrup Brands
Hershey’s is the dominant brand name, but there are other chocolate syrup options on the market. How does Hershey’s compare to them?
Hershey’s vs. Nestle
Nestle is another well-known brand of chocolate syrup. Their classic chocolate syrup is very similar to Hershey’s:
- Sweetness and thickness are nearly identical.
- Both contain corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup.
- Nestle has a hint more vanilla flavor according to some tasters.
- Nestle uses palm oil instead of caramel coloring.
Overall, Nestle and Hershey’s traditional chocolate syrups are more alike than different. Both deliver classic chocolate and sweetness.
Hershey’s vs. Generic/Store Brand
You can often save money buying a generic or store brand of chocolate syrup instead of Hershey’s.
In taste tests, generic brands fare decently. They are a little thinner in consistency than Hershey’s and the chocolate flavor is not quite as pronounced. But they offer good chocolate taste for a discount.
One downside is that cheaper brands tend to use lower quality ingredients like cornstarch instead of cocoa. But if you just need chocolate syrup for baking or mixing into drinks, generic may suffice.
Is it Possible to Make Homemade Chocolate Syrup?
With just a few simple ingredients, you can also make chocolate syrup at home. Here is a basic recipe and how it compares to store-bought Hershey’s:
Homemade Chocolate Syrup Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Whisk together the cocoa powder and sugar in a medium saucepan.
- Gradually whisk in the water until smooth.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently.
- Remove from heat and stir in salt and vanilla.
- Allow to cool before transferring to an airtight container.
- Store refrigerated for up to 1 month.
How Homemade Compares to Hershey’s
- Richer, deeper chocolate taste.
- Thinner, more syrupy consistency.
- A bit gritty from the cocoa powder.
- No corn syrup or preservatives.
- More expensive per ounce.
The homemade version uses simple real ingredients for a fresher chocolate flavor. But Hershey’s delivers that perfect consistency that is hard to duplicate at home.
Conclusion
Hershey’s chocolate syrup is a pantry staple for good reason – the timeless flavor and silky consistency can instantly elevate desserts, drinks, and more. Now that you know a 16 oz can contains around 15 oz of syrup and packs 100 calories per serving, you can better incorporate it into your recipes.
Drizzle on some chocolatey goodness – in moderation, of course!
