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Homemade Old-Fashioned Vanilla Cream Sauce

By 27 Comments

I would be grateful if you shared this recipe :-)

If you love desserts, this homemade vanilla cream sauce is better than whipped cream :-). Drizzle it on cakes and bread pudding.

Not only is this sauce a winner on your favorite dessert, but it is the perfect base for cocktail recipes too!

a jar of homemade vanilla cream sauce with a vanilla bean next to the jar.

Vanilla Beans

Do you love vanilla beans? If you do, then you will love this simple vanilla sauce. Vanilla comes from a pod full of vanilla beans. Each pod has to have the vanilla beans scraped out, which is really labor intensive.

Pure vanilla is more expensive, but it is really worth the price. Imitation vanilla extract just doesn’t taste as good.

It is so easy to make homemade vanilla cream sauce for yourself.”

This vanilla cream sauce is made from scratch in just minutes. This is made from wholesome ingredients because fresh is always better than something canned!

vanilla cream sauce being drizzled from a spoon into a jar

What can I use this vanilla sauce on?

This is the perfect vanilla sauce for this old-fashioned gluten free bread pudding or this gluten free bread pudding (using the vanilla instead of caramel).

Just drizzle it on! You can also use this vanilla cream sauce in mixed drinks like this Vanilla Orange Cream Martini recipe.

two martini glasses filled with Vanilla Orange Cream Coffee Martini. Coffee beans are around the base of each glass.

These are perfect for happy hour…and I bet they would make a great hot alcoholic coffee drink too!

Top view of a jar of Delicious creamy homemade vanilla sauce

Is there a vegan alternative?

This sauce is naturally gluten free and this sauce can be made vegan if you substitute coconut oil instead of the butter. It is perfect for those who have food allergies.

How to make a vanilla cream sauce:

a pot of vanilla sauce ingredients over low heat on a stove.

Add sugar and cornstarch to a small pot. Add a little hot water and whisk to blend the sugar sauce.

adding butter and lemon to the pot of cream sauce ingredients

Add the rest of the hot water, butter, and a lemon slice and simmer for 10 minutes on low heat. Simmer until the vanilla sauce thickens.

Quick and easy vanilla cream sauce with a vanilla bean on top of the jar

(*Please note this post has affiliate links. Ordering through my site will not change the price you pay. A tiny commission will come to Fearless Dining to help offset the cost of running this blog. I truly appreciate the support.)

Things You Need To Make This Recipe:

  1. An easy to use whisk so your cream sauce doesn’t get lumpy.
  2. Mason jar to store your sauce in. It should keep in the refrigerator for a week.
5 from 7 votes
Print
Homemade Vanilla Cream Sauce
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

Easy deliciously creamy vanilla cream sauce.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: homemade vanilla sauce
Servings: 8
Calories: 76 kcal
Author: Sandi Gaertner
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1 slice of lemon
  • 1 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • tiny dash salt
Instructions

  1. In a small sauce pan, add sugar and cornstarch.

  2. Pour in a little of the hot water and whisk quickly to blend. 

  3. Turn on the stove onto low heat and add the rest of the water, butter, vanilla, and lemon.

  4. Simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.

Nutrition Facts
Homemade Vanilla Cream Sauce
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 76 Calories from Fat 27
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 3g 5%
Cholesterol 8mg 3%
Sodium 23mg 1%
Potassium 2mg 0%
Total Carbohydrates 13g 4%
Sugars 12g
Vitamin A 2%
Vitamin C 1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

More Fun Gluten Free Recipes to Try!

I would be grateful if you shared this recipe :-)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. This is a recipe my mother used to make, though she never added lemon. I love that addition and will try it this Christmas on our Gingerbread cake … that was what this sauce was always made for in our home.

    I love the ideas recommended here. Sounds like it is time for me to start back to making bread puddings!

    Thanks for a great new version to an old recipe!

    Reply

  2. I think thos the recipe for a vanilla sauce that we poured over chocolate cake (bowls, for sure). This was my whole families birthday cake. I think I wlll double it and have as a surprise for Thanksgiving. Thanks!!!!!

    Reply

  3. I love the idea of using this with bread pudding, it would be such a great pairing. I’ve never heard of vanilla sauce so i’ll have to try it next time i bake!

    Reply

  4. I absolutely loved this recipe Sandi! It’s easy doable and full of flavors. The best part is that it is such a good company to many desserts.

    Reply

  5. This looks so simple and delicious! It would be great on sticky toffee pudding, or bread pudding, or chocolate lava cake, or pretty much anything. Love the idea!

    Reply

  9. I never tried making vanilla sauce at home (I usually make vanilla ganache with white chocolate), but it looks perfect and a great addition for so many desserts I just have to try it!

    Reply

  13. I love that you can make this sauce ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. It’s perfect for bread pudding, and I can think of many other desserts I’d serve it with too!

    Reply

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