Yields: About 1 1/2 cups of sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Ingredients – Raspberry Sauce:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries (thawed, if frozen)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredients – Vanilla Bean Sauce (Optional):
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
- Pinch of salt
Instructions – Raspberry Sauce:
- Combine ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the raspberries, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract.
- Bring to a simmer: Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Simmer and thicken: Reduce heat to low and let simmer for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the sauce thickens and the raspberries break down.
- Strain (optional): For a smoother sauce, pass the sauce through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing down on solids to extract all the juice. Discard the solids.
- Cool and serve: Allow the sauce to cool slightly before serving or chill for later use.
Instructions – Vanilla Bean Sauce:
- Combine cream, sugar, vanilla: In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream, sugar, scraped vanilla bean seeds, and the empty vanilla bean pod. Add a pinch of salt.
- Heat gently: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.
- Simmer: Reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Do not let it boil vigorously.
- Remove vanilla bean: Take the saucepan off the heat and remove the vanilla bean pod.
- Serve: Serve the sauce warm or chilled.
How to Enjoy:
- Over ice cream: This sauce duo is perfect for drizzling over a classic vanilla ice cream.
- With panna cotta: The tartness of raspberry beautifully complements the creamy vanilla panna cotta. (See recipes in the provided search results for inspiration)
- Cheesecake topping: Elevate your cheesecake with a drizzle of these sauces.
- Yogurt or waffles: Add a touch of sweetness and vibrant flavor to breakfast or desserts.
Tips:
- Adjust sweetness: Taste the sauce and adjust the sugar according to your preference and the sweetness of your raspberries.
- Storage: Store the raspberry sauce and the vanilla bean sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Make-ahead: You can easily make both sauces ahead of time, making this the perfect dessert when entertaining.
