Strawberry Syrup Dessert Topping
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Strawberry Syrup is a fruity, sweet dessert topping that is lick-your-fingers good! With just 3 ingredients, you can make a batch of homemade strawberry syrup in a flash!!
With only 3 ingredients, you won’t find an easier way to cater to your sweet tooth than this strawberry syrup recipe!
Strawberry Syrup
Learn how to make strawberry syrup in just 15 minutes — it’s the perfect addition to any sweet treat.
Just stir everything together on the stove and voila! A yummy, fresh fruit topping at your disposal.
This recipe is one to keep on hand for strawberry picking season. You can use it all through the spring and summer for your desserts.
Homemade strawberry syrup is a fantastic topping for vanilla ice cream, cheesecake, shortcake, or even on a slice of dump cake!
I also have a divinely rich caramel sauce that can be made at home in no time! Jar some of it up and keep it in the refrigerator for a go-to sweet spread.
If you have any extra strawberries, I recommend trying your hand at a number of my other recipes like this cheesecake trifle or this icebox cake.
I even have a recipe for strawberry frozen dog treats!
Tips For How To Make Strawberry Syrup
- Get it nice and smooth. Strain the berries and discard them before pouring the remaining sauce into a container.
Or, throw everything in the blender and blend until completely smooth. - Mashing kitchen hack! Use a potato masher to mash the berries — it’s a great alternative to using a wooden spoon.
- Use any fruit. You can easily swap in blueberries or raspberries or try a combination if you’d like!
- Berries not in season? While this can affect the sweetness of your berries (and ultimately your strawberry syrup), there’s no need to worry!
Add a bit of extra sugar to taste to have it be deliciously sweet. Or, simply use frozen strawberries in your syrup! - Want to make a larger batch? This recipe produces about 1 cup, but it can easily be doubled or tripled. Keep extra on hand for later or give it out as gifts.
Other Uses For Homemade Strawberry Syrup
Aside from being a fantastic dessert sauce, strawberry syrup can be used as a simple syrup for cocktails or to make other dessert sauces.
Add a cup of water to the saucepan to make a strawberry simple syrup. Keep it on hand to blend perfectly into your favorite adult drinks, like a daiquiri or mojito!
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Medium saucepan – This one heats evenly and is easy to clean, too.
- Sturdy wooden spoon – Use this to mash up the strawberries and stir everything together.
- Mason jars – I absolutely love these for storing and prepping ingredients, as drinking glasses, and especially for canning.
Plus, they will make your leftover strawberry syrup look super cute! - Vanilla bean paste – One of my favorite ingredients. It adds beautiful specs of vanilla beans to your recipe along with incredible vanilla flavor.
Strawberry Syrup Recipe FAQ
To thicken it up, follow the directions and simply cook it a little longer. The longer you cook homemade strawberry syrup, the thicker it will become.
To make it thinner, include half a cup of water to the pan before heating. You can also double the water to a full cup to get strawberry simple syrup!
You can absolutely use frozen strawberries in syrup. Just be sure to thaw them completely before getting started and drain off any excess liquid.
Yes! Store the mixture in a tightly sealed container. It will last in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Fabulous Uses for Strawberries
Strawberry Syrup Dessert Topping
Ingredients
- 2 cups ripe strawberries, washed and hulled
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine strawberries and sugar. Use a potato masher to smash strawberries, then turn heat to medium. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce to simmer, and cook for 10 minutes without a cover.
- Remove saucepan from heat. Add vanilla and stir to combine.
- Enjoy!
Donna’s Notes
- Because serving sizes vary, nutrition shown is for the entire batch (1 cup) of strawberry syrup. Average serving is 2-3 tablespoons.
- Depending on when you purchase your strawberries, if they are not in season, they may not be as sweet. Add sugar to taste if your strawberries aren’t sweet.
- You can make this dessert topping with other fruits. Berries work best, especially raspberries and blueberries.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published May 2013, updated and republished May 2023
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There have been so many strawberry recipes on the blogs this week that it's nice to see them used in a different way- I've never made any kind of syrup, but this sounds so easy! And strawberry + vanilla? I'm in!
(Off to wipe the drool from my face…)
I'm loving these syrups, Donna, especially that orange amaretto! I love to experiment with unusual pancake recipes, and sometimes maple just doesn't work…
I think I am going to use the strawberry syrup for my cupcakes filling
I made this syrup this past Sunday… wow was it good! I only made enough for three servings, but it was well worth it. Definitely will be making more!
Im going to try this as my Grand girls and I love strawberries and this would be great on some cream cheese pancakes!!!!! I'll let ya know how it comes out.
Super easy recipe. I didn't care for the vanilla flavor in the strawberries, so I made another batch with just sugar and strawberries and it was wonderful. To each his own!
Another favorite variation is using orange juice in place of the vanilla. It gives it a fabulous depth and brightness. Thanks for stopping by!
XOXO
Donna
Can you trade off with a sugar substitute?? Thanks!!
I have never tried it myself, but it makes perfect sense. Use a sugar substitute that you have cooked with before. Splenda cooks well and I have heard Swerve cooks very well too. Let me know how it goes. Enjoy!
Is there a way to use different fruits like blueberries, raspberries or a mixture of berries?
Can you replace the strawberries with a different fruit such as blueberries, raspberries and/or mixed fruits?
Can I freeze this in the jars? How long will it last in the refrigerator? I love your site!
Can I freeze this in the jars? How long will it last in the refrigerator?
hi there, I was wondering how long this would be good stored in the refrigerator, can it be frozen once made?
I know I'd use this on ice-cream! Pinning it!
I have frozen this in freezer safe containers leaving about 1 inch air space for expansion
I love strawberry syrup and this is so easy! Thanks!
Have made this several times and have given as gifts as well. Also have used Almond extract in place of the vanilla
Does this get thick if I refrigerate it?
Everyone is always surprised when I tell them this is home made, not store bought. I’m always asked for the recipe, especially when I bring it to work meetings. Never goes without a compliment.
Have you done this with cherries?
If so, what type of cherries did you use?