Description
This homemade Strawberry Sauce for Ice Cream tastes bright, fresh, and perfectly sweet. I simmer juicy strawberries with a touch of sugar and lemon until they turn glossy and spoonable, then finish with a whisper of vanilla. It’s the easiest way to upgrade vanilla ice cream, and it also shines on cheesecake, pancakes, yogurt, and waffles. Ready in about 15 minutes, made with simple ingredients, and so much better than store-bought.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (500 g) strawberries, hulled and chopped
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional but delicious)
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for a thicker sauce)
- 1 tbsp water (only if using cornstarch, to make a slurry)
Instructions
- Wash the strawberries, remove the green tops, and chop them into small pieces.
- Add strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons water to a small saucepan. Stir to combine, then let sit for 5 minutes so the berries release their juices.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries soften and the sauce looks syrupy.
- Optional for thicker sauce: Stir cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. Cook 1–2 minutes until glossy and slightly thicker.
- Mash the strawberries with a fork for a chunky texture, or blend carefully with an immersion blender for a smoother sauce.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Cool for 10–15 minutes before serving, or chill completely for a thicker, spoonable sauce over ice cream.
Notes
For the best flavor, use ripe, fragrant strawberries. If your berries taste very sweet, reduce the sugar by 1–2 tablespoons. If they’re tart, add a little extra sugar to taste. I love a chunky sauce on ice cream, but I blend it smooth for cheesecake. Store in a clean jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge. If the sauce thickens too much after chilling, stir in 1–2 teaspoons warm water to loosen it.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 cup
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg