Fresh Strawberry Sauce is Cook’s Delight – A Breezy Recipe

Making your own bold fresh strawberry sauce is one of the easiest recipes for summer entertaining. When strawberries are sweetest, a homemade sauce tops the must-have list. Not only is it delicious on vanilla ice cream or other desserts, but it also lets the bright berries shine in their glossiest form.

All you need are ripe strawberries, a touch of sugar or other sweetener, and maybe vanilla extract. Gently mash the berries until slightly chunky but still broken down. Allow the sauce to sit in the fridge for 30 minutes. This time, blend the flavors before serving.

Adjust the thickness by adding more berries or liquid. For a thicker consistency, pile on extra berries. Want it thinner but still glossy? Dilute with water or juice. You’ll bring eyes light up with the first spoonful from the bright red bowl. It’s a quick, easy topping, turning desert into a summery treat. Best of all, it puts the fresh seasonal strawberries on full display

Strawberry Sauce

Since fresh strawberries are such a fancier treat, I often stock up when my local grocery store has them on a good deal. One summer, I bought five pounds for a bulk buyer price. Even for two, that’s a lot of berries! Instead of letting them go to waste, I put some aside to make homemade freezer jam. But I also wanted to capture the peak of strawberry season in other ways.

That’s when I got the idea to make double batches of sauce to freeze. Now I always have some on hand for ice cream sundae topping, dotting onto strawberry shortcake or swirls on New York cheesecake. It also makes a glossy, gorgeous topping for any breakfast pastries, sweet breads or chocolate cake. I’ve even used it as a filling in simple cupcakes! Freeze the extras so you’re ready for any occasion. Thaw overnight in the fridge for the same fresh, vibrant color and flavor that makes it a strawberry showstopper.

Why You’ll Adore Homemade Strawberry Topping?

There are so many reasons why you’ll love making your own strawberry topping over store-bought varieties. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a bright, homemade topping ready in just minutes.

Best of all, you know exactly what’s going into it. No worrying about artificial colors, flavors or mysterious preservatives. Just real strawberries in their full natural splendor. The bright berry flavor really shines through, creamy and fresh. Plus, knowing you crafted it yourself with ingredients you trust adds an extra special something. Isn’t it worth the few minutes to avoid all the unknowns for such a sweetly simple treat?

Ingredients You Need

The basic recipe calls for mashing 1 lb strawberries with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla. Adjust quantities and add flavors to taste. Texture can be left chunky or smooth for different applications as a topping. Freeze strawberries first for a creamier texture.

How to Make Strawberry Sauce

Start by washing 1 pound fresh or frozen strawberries, removing any greens. Add the berries to a medium saucepan along with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 Tbsp lemon juice.

Heat the mixture over medium, stirring frequently. Allow it to simmer until the juice is released, around 5–7 minutes.

Mash the berries with a spoon or masher in the pan until your preferred consistency. Continue simmering and stirring until thickened to your taste, about 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature before refrigeration. For a smooth version, puree in a food processor or with an immersion blender.

Adjust thickness by adding cornstarch dissolved in water if needed. Drizzle the warm sauce over ice cream or cake to serve. Photos don’t do justice to that gorgeous pink-red color!
RELATED: Fresh Raspberry Sauce

Chunk Free Strawberry Sauce:

To create a perfectly smooth strawberry sauce without any unwanted fruit pieces, it is important to carefully blend the ingredients. Start by selecting very ripe and soft strawberries to cut into smaller pieces. This helps the berries break down efficiently in the blender.

Add the cut strawberries along with other elements like sugar or citrus juice to a high-powered blender. Blend on the highest setting, pausing to scrape down the sides as needed, until the mixture is entirely homogeneous with no visible chunks. You may need to blend larger batches in small portions rather than all at once to fully pulverize the strawberry bits. Check the consistency as you blend, adding extra liquid like water or lemon juice a tablespoon at a time until reaching your desired smooth texture.

Once the sauce looks seamlessly blended with no large pieces remaining, give it a final quick spin to fully incorporate any small strawberry bits into a luxuriously smooth finished sauce.

No Cook Strawberry Sauce:

For those who want a quick and easy strawberry topping without using any heat, a no cook strawberry sauce is the perfect solution. This simple variety requires only mashing fresh berries together with a sweetener like honey or maple syrup, and sometimes a splash of lime or lemon juice. The acid helps draw out more flavor from the berries while keeping the whole process cold.

 Blending the ingredients results in a luxurious pink sauce ready for spooning over waffles, pancakes, ice cream or yogurt within minutes. Its lovely fresh flavor captures the essence of spring time without any cooking needed. No cooked strawberry sauce offers a light option to highlight strawberries’ natural sweetness.

How to Thicken Strawberry Sauce

For a thicker sauce, continue to simmer it on the stove for a bit longer, so more moisture has time to evaporate. This will thicken the sauce through reduced liquid over additional time.

You can also make a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. In a small bowl, mix 2 Tbsp cornstarch with 2 Tbsp water to form a paste. Slowly stir this into the simmering sauce until it reaches the desired consistency. Continue cooking for a couple of minutes to fully activate the cornstarch.

Using one of these methods allows the natural strawberry flavors to shine through without masking them with extra ingredients. The slightly thickened sauce will have a velvety smooth texture ideal for enjoying desserts

Storing Leftovers

Transfer any leftover strawberry sauce to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. It will thicken more as it cools but can be thinned with a splash of water if desired.

For short term storage of up to a week, keep in the fridge. To enjoy warm again, spoon into a small saucepan and warm over low stove heat for 15–30 seconds in the microwave.

For longer saving of any extra homemade sauce, freeze it! Portion the sauce into freezer safe containers, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Seal and place in the freezer where it will last months. Simply thaw overnight in the fridge before using.

This way you’ll always have some homemade strawberry sauce on hand to complement desserts without making a full new batch or using store bought. Just store and enjoy!

Strawberry Sauce Shelf Life In Fridge

The shelf life of homemade strawberry sauce depends greatly on proper storage conditions. For the freshest flavor and texture, it’s best to consume any leftovers within 5–7 days of making the initial batch. However, strawberry sauce can typically last about 1 full week when stored properly in the refrigerator.

To maximize its shelf life, transfer the sauce to an airtight container and place in the fridge immediately after preparation. Check for signs of mold growth before consumption. Storing it this way helps the sauce maintain its texture and vibrant color for close to a week. Proper refrigeration allows you to have a tasty topping on hand for various desserts throughout the week. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy fresh strawberry sauce for several days after making a big batch.

How to Freeze Strawberry Sauce

If making a large batch of homemade strawberry sauce, consider freezing portions for future use. Allow the extra sauce to cool completely before freezing. Transfer to airtight containers or zip-top bags, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Seal and lay flat in the freezer for up to three months.

When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours on the counter. The sauce can then be enjoyed either warm or cold over pancakes, ice cream, etc. Freezing keeps that fresh strawberry flavor intact for several months, letting you enjoy seasonal strawberries year-round!

Creative Ways to Use Strawberry Sauce

For breakfast, use it as a topping for pancakes, French Toast, crepes, or spread on a bagel. It adds a burst of flavor to buttermilk waffles and biscuits, too.

When baking, try mixing it into cakes, cupcakes, or using as a simple frosting or glaze. The sauce is also delicious layered into a strawberry shortcake or trifle.

It makes a festive topping for angel food cake, pavlova, or pound cake with a dollop of whipped cream. Use as a filling between homemade crepes or swirled into yogurt or oatmeal.

For desserts, consider using the sauce as part of a cheesecake like a lemon cheesecake pie, no-bake cheesecake jars, or topping mini cheesecakes. Let your imagination run wild with recipes for Brownies, Classic Waffles, or Angel Food Cake with Strawberry Trifle. The possibilities are endless for new tastes!

Fresh Strawberry Sauce for Pancakes

Nothing says summer like fresh strawberries, and there’s no better way to enjoy their sweet flavor than with a dollop of homemade strawberry sauce on hot pancakes. The bright pink sauce adds a lovely pop of color and bursts of berry goodness with each bite.

To assemble, stack fluffy pancakes on a plate and gently warm the strawberry sauce in a small saucepan if it has been refrigerated. Either pour or spoon the warm sauce over the pancakes, allowing it to soak into the folds. For an extra indulgent treat, try topping with whipped cream or vanilla yogurt too.

The fresh strawberry sauce perfectly complements the mild taste of the pancakes, enhancing them with its fruity sweetness. Your family is sure to savor every last bite of these strawberry-topped pancakes on a relaxing weekend morning. It’s a simple treat perfect for celebrating the seasonal joys of spring and summer.

Tips

• For a thicker sauce, add 1-2 Tbsp cornstarch. It will thicken as it cooks.
• Follow recipe directions exactly for best results. Cooking times and ingredients will impact how it thickens.
• Also,Simmer is optional but speeds up the thickening process. A glossy sauce needs time to reduce.
• For a lush, thick sauce, continue simmering 5+ extra minutes after the juice is released.
• Thickening may not be apparent until the mixture cools – so judge the finished product, not the pot.
• Thinner sauces are fine too – just be careful not to overcook. Thin with water if you accidentally simmer too long.
• Similarly, add water if the sauce becomes too thick to fear getting stuck.
• Low and slow cooking helps combine flavors nicely. Just keep an eye so it doesn’t become strawberry jam!

Conclusion

Homemade strawberry sauce is a delicious way to enjoy fresh berries throughout the year. With a bit of blending and simmering, you can transform a bounty of seasonal fruit into a vibrantly colored condiment. Whether enjoyed straight-up over pancakes or baked into cakes, this versatile sauce brings out the natural sweetness of strawberries. With minimal effort, you’ll have a taste of summer to lift your spirits any time cold weather arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ’s)

What is strawberry sauce made of?

 Strawberry sauce is simply made from fresh strawberries, sugar or another sweetener, and sometimes lemon juice or water. The berries, sugar and any additional liquid are cooked down into a sweetened sauce consistency.

Does strawberry puree the same as strawberry syrup?

 No, strawberry puree and syrup are different. Puree refers to a smooth paste of strawberries, while syrup involves cooking the berries with sugar until thick and reduced. Syrup has a richer, sweeter result due to the added sugar.

What is strawberry glaze made of?

 A strawberry glaze is similar to syrup but thicker in consistency. It’s made by simmering strawberries, sugar and a small amount of water or fruit juice until melted together into a glossy, thick yet pourable topping. Cornstarch is sometimes added for extra thickness.

How do you serve fresh strawberries?

 You can simply rinse perfectly ripe berries and enjoy them plain or actively dip them in chocolate or whipped cream. They also pair well with cheese, salads, fruit salads or used to top shortcake, pancakes, ice cream and more.

How do you serve fresh strawberries at a party?

 For parties, strawberries are often arranged artfully in a bowl or on a platter, sometimes layered with vanilla yogurt or cream. Serving them skewered on small wooden sticks or alongside angel food cake also makes them fun and easy to grab. Refrigerating helps keep berries fresh.

Should fresh strawberries be refrigerated or left out?

It’s best to refrigerate fresh strawberries in their container or loosely wrapped in a towel or bag. Refrigeration keeps them fresher longer by slowing ripening. Remove about 30 minutes before serving to bring them to room temperature first if desired.

What are the 3 basic ingredients in glaze?

 The three primary components of most fruit glazes are fruit puree or sauce, some sort of liquid like fruit juice or water, and a thickener like cornstarch or arrowroot powder.

What is strawberry apple sauce made of?

Strawberry applesauce combines apples with strawberries for a pink blend of flavors. It contains diced apples, fresh strawberries, water or fruit juice and sometimes cinnamon or other spices simmered until soft and pureed into a sweet spread.

What makes a sauce a glaze?

 The key difference is a glaze has a thicker, syrupy consistency achieved through reduction and use of a thickener. Sauces are generally thinner, but glazes cling well to coat surfaces for decorative fruit topping or filling purposes due to their gel-like viscosity.

What do you call it when you mix strawberries with sugar?

 When we combine fresh strawberries with sugar and sometimes other liquids, this is called a strawberry “compote” if kept in chunks or a “strawberry syrup” if fully blended and cooked down into a liquefied sauce.

Does homemade strawberry syrup go bad?

With proper storage, homemade strawberry syrup can last 4–6 months refrigerated or up to a year frozen. It has a high sugar content, which prevents mold growth. As long as kept sealed in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container, the syrup’s qualities remain quite stable.

Fresh Strawberry Sauce is Cook’s Delight – A Breezy Recipe

Recipe by The Saucy CanvasCourse: dessert saucesCuisine: American

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Calories

283

kcal

Total time

30

minutes

You can use fresh or frozen strawberries in this versatile strawberry topping sauce. This topping is fresh, quick, & easy and gives desserts that little something extra!

Ingredients

• 1 lb strawberries

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1 Tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp Vanilla extract

Directions

• Wash and hull strawberries. Add to saucepan with sugar and lemon juice.
• Simmer until juiced, about 5-7 minutes.
• Mash berries and simmer until thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Cool completely before refrigerating. Drizzle over ice cream or cake.