Best Easy Raspberry Sauce Recipe (Quick & Delicious!)

This Easy Raspberry Sauce is a vibrant, flavorful, and incredibly simple way to elevate any dessert! Made primarily with frozen raspberries, sugar, and a touch of vanilla, this sauce comes together quickly on the stovetop and adds a perfect balance of sweet and tart. I love having a batch of this Easy Raspberry Sauce on hand - it's so versatile and instantly makes desserts like cheesecake, ice cream, or pancakes feel extra special. Forget store-bought sauces; this homemade version is far superior!

Why You'll Love This Easy Raspberry Sauce

• Quick and Easy: This sauce comes together in minutes on the stovetop with minimal effort.
• Intense Raspberry Flavor: Using mostly frozen raspberries creates a concentrated, delicious fruit flavor.
• Versatile: Perfect for topping cheesecakes, ice cream, yogurt, pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, and so much more!
• Simple Ingredients: Made with basic pantry staples you likely already have.
• Better Than Store-Bought: Homemade sauce allows you to control the sweetness and ingredients.

Ingredients for Easy Raspberry Sauce

Here's what you'll need to make this delicious fruit sauce. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Main Ingredients

• Frozen unsweetened raspberries, divided (Fruit)
• Granulated sugar (Sweetener)
• Water (Liquid)
• Cornstarch (Thickener)
• Vanilla extract (Flavoring)
• Salted butter (Fat)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love this classic Easy Raspberry Sauce, but here are a few fun variations:

• Different Berries: Use frozen strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or a mixed berry blend instead of raspberries.
• Add Citrus: Stir in a teaspoon of lemon zest or orange zest for a brighter flavor.
• Make it Boozy: Add a tablespoon of Chambord (raspberry liqueur) or another complementary liqueur like Grand Marnier at the end.
• Spiced Version: Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the sauce while it simmers.
• Seedless Sauce: For a completely smooth sauce, press the cooked mixture through a fine-mesh sieve before adding the remaining whole raspberries.

How to Make Easy Raspberry Sauce

Let me show you how simple it is to make this delicious Easy Raspberry Sauce:

Cook Initial Sauce

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, I stir together 1 ½ cups of the frozen raspberries, the granulated sugar, and ½ cup of water until the sugar is dissolved.
2. I heat the mixture to boiling, stirring often.

Thicken the Sauce

1. In a small cup, I combine the cornstarch and two tablespoons of water. I mix it well to create a smooth slurry - this prevents lumps!
2. I pour the cornstarch slurry into the boiling raspberry mixture.
3. I stir and boil over medium-low heat for 4 minutes, or until the Easy Raspberry Sauce has thickened a bit.

Finish the Sauce

1. I remove the pan from the heat.
2. I add the vanilla extract and the tablespoon of salted butter.
3. I mix until the butter has completely melted and incorporated into the sauce.

Cool and Add Remaining Berries

1. I allow the mixture to cool for 15 minutes.
2. Then, I add the last remaining portion of the frozen raspberries (about ½ to 1 cup, depending on the initial amount) and stir to mix. Adding some whole berries at the end gives the sauce a nice texture.
3. I let the sauce cool completely to room temperature.

Serve

1. Serve

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Raspberry Sauce

Here are my secrets for making this sauce truly exceptional:

• Use Frozen Raspberries: Frozen raspberries work beautifully in sauces as they break down easily. Plus, you can make this year-round!
• Cornstarch Slurry: Always mix cornstarch with cold water before adding it to hot liquids to prevent clumps.
• Stir While Simmering: Stir the sauce frequently as it simmers to prevent scorching.
• Add Some Whole Berries: Stirring in some whole (or slightly thawed) raspberries after cooking adds lovely texture and fresh berry bursts.
• Cool Completely: The sauce will thicken further as it cools.

How to Serve

This Easy Raspberry Sauce is incredibly versatile! Serve it over:

• Cheesecake: A classic and perfect pairing.
• Ice Cream: Drizzle generously over vanilla, chocolate, or even lemon ice cream.
• Pancakes or Waffles: Elevate your breakfast or brunch.
• Yogurt or Oatmeal: Stir it into plain yogurt or oatmeal for flavor and sweetness.
• Cakes: Use it as a filling between cake layers or drizzle over pound cake.
• Brownies or Chocolate Desserts: The tartness cuts through rich chocolate beautifully.

Make Ahead and Storage

This sauce is perfect for making ahead! Once cooled completely, store the Easy Raspberry Sauce in an airtight container (like a mason jar) in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

FAQs about Easy Raspberry Sauce

• Can I use fresh raspberries instead of frozen?
  • Yes, fresh raspberries work perfectly well too.
• Can I make this sauce less sweet?
  • Absolutely! Reduce the amount of granulated sugar to your preference. Taste and adjust as needed.
• Can I freeze this raspberry sauce?
  • Yes, this sauce freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, transfer it to a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Enjoy this vibrant, flavorful, and incredibly Easy Raspberry Sauce! It's the perfect way to add a fruity touch to your favorite desserts.

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