Fresh Raspberry Sauce is so versatile, use it on ice cream, cheesecake, meringues, chocolate cake and more. And it only takes 5 ingredients and 20 minutes!
This is the perfect raspberry sauce for cheesecake! Don’t believe me? I guess you will just have to trust me and try it out!
I could probably eat this raspberry sauce with a spoon. Not drizzled over anything else. Just me, raspberry sauce and a spoon. They are likely my all-time favorite fruit.
What's In This Article
What Can You Use It On?
- Brownies
- Chocolate cake
- Cheesecake
- Vanilla Ice cream
- Meringue
- Dip for fruit or marshmallows
- Waffles
- Dipping sauce for churros
- Biscuits
- Scones
- PB&J sandwiches
- Pancakes
- Angel Food Cake
- Pound Cake
- French toast
Although raspberry topping is a simple recipe and verstile sauce, there are a couple of core facts. The first is that frozen raspberries are going to be cheaper than fresh.
Fresh vs Frozen Raspberries
Frozen Raspberries: Generally speaking, unsweetened frozen fruit still has just as many nutrients and no additives or preservatives. They will undoubtedly be less expensive than fresh, but not have as much flavor or be as sweet as the natural sugars in fresh since they have had time to develop. Thankfully, this recipe uses sugar, so that combats the issue.
Fresh Raspberries: While I much prefer fresh, they are expensive any time of the year and you’ll need at least two containers, if not three.
In addition to raspberries, the star of the show, you’ll also need:
- Lemon juice– it is optional, but a little bit of acid brightens up any recipe. Just like adding wine or vinegar. You can even add a dash of salt to really bring out the flavors.
- Sugar- Used as the sweetener and also gives it the jammy texture you are looking for in a fruit sauce.
- Water- Prevents the sauce from getting too thick before the raspberries break down. If you want a really chunky sauce, you can certianly omit the water too.
- Cornstarch – This helps thicken your raspberry sauce so it really sticks to the dessert it is intended for. Arrowroot can also be used.
- Unsalted Butter- Added for richness, but can be omitted.
- Fine Sea Salt– Just a pinch goes a long way in this recipe. It helps to balance all of the sweet flavors and brighten natural ones.
How to Make Raspberry Sauce
After you get the hang of making fruit sauces, then you can use the same base recipe and technique for nearly any sauce using fresh or frozen fruit, like our Strawberry Topping.
- Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Whisk together. Add the frozen or fresh berries, lemon juice and water, mixing to combine. Increase to medium heat and bring to a low simmer.
- Continue to simmer and stir until the raspberries until have broken down and sauce has thickened and the sugar dissolves. Cook longer for a thick raspberry sauce.
- Remove the raspberry mixture from the heat and add the butter and salt. This gives it a richness and balances the sugars.
- Raspberry sauce can be served warm, room temperature or cooled.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want a smooth sauce, strain
out all the raspberry seeds through a fine mesh sieve. Push the sauce through using the back of a spoon. This will create more of a raspberry syrup as opposed to textural sauce, based on personal preferences.
out all the raspberry seeds through a fine mesh sieve. Push the sauce through using the back of a spoon. This will create more of a raspberry syrup as opposed to textural sauce, based on personal preferences. 
Variations
Use any of these variations to make this sauce your own.
- A splash of orange– Omit the lemon juice, but replace it to with orange juice.
- Up the citrus– Add a few grates of lemon or orange zest.
- Vanilla- Vanilla compliments nearly any fruit, add a touch of vanilla bean paste or just a drop of vanilla extract.
- Fresh Fruits Blend- Use several different berries or fruits.
Storage & Freezing
Homemade raspberry sauce will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. It is also freezer friendly if kept in a freezer-safe container (it will expand).
I do not can, but here are some instructions on how to do so.
More Easy Dessert Ideas
Easy Raspberry Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 12 ounces fresh or frozen raspberries
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- pinch fine sea salt
Instructions
- Combine the sugar and cornstarch in a heavy bottom saucepan. Whisk together. Add the raspberries, lemon juice and water, mixing to combine. Turn on heat and bring to a low simmer.
- Continue to simmer and stir until the raspberries until have broken down and sauce has thickened.
- Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the butter and a tiny pinch of fine salt.
- You can use your raspberry sauce thick and chunky or you can place it in a small food processor to smooth it out. Run through a mesh sieve to remove seeds.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings!
This is such a great sauce! We’ve been using it on toast, waffles, and mixed in with plain yogurt. So versatile!
Love how quick and easy this raspberry sauce is! Turned out great!
I love how easy it is to make this raspberry sauce + it is homemade! Definitely trying it; Thanks for sharing!
Such a wonderful use for fresh raspberries! It sounds perfect paired with cheesecake and I love the minimal prep.
Love how easy and tasty this recipe is. Thank you!
Really great! thanks i used it with coffee icecream and Kahlua for dessert!
This is THE BEST raspberry sauce recipe…
easy to make and a family favorite! My granddaughter requests it regularly and eats it just as is. It’s great on cheesecakes, too!!!!
Thank for coming by to let us know. We love it too!