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Homemade Old-Fashioned Vanilla Cream Sauce

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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!

This vanilla cream sauce is so good on desserts. Feel free to drizzle it on some of these Gluten Free Dessert recipes.

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

Fresh  Vanilla Beans vs  Vanilla Extract

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. You can use vanilla extract in this recipe, but you will lose some of the sweetness. A better alternative would be to use a vanilla bean paste.

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 for this old-fashioned vanilla cream sauce?

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.

Shopping List:

How to make this old-fashioned 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. Cool and serve. I love that this vanilla cream sauce is made without heavy cream!

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

More  delicious gluten free desserts to try:

(*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.
Homemade Vanilla Cream Sauce

Homemade Vanilla Cream Sauce

Yield: 8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Easy homemade creamy vanilla cream sauce. This old-fashioned cream sauce is delicious on bread pudding and cakes.

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 Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 67 Total Fat: 1g Saturated Fat: 1g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 4mg Sodium: 32mg Carbohydrates: 14g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 13g Protein: 0g
Please note this nutrition information is calculated by a recipe plugin and is an estimate based on the ingredients used in this recipe.
© Sandi Gaertner
Cuisine: American / Category: Dessert

More Fun Gluten Free Recipes to Try!

a mason jar filled with homemade vanilla cream sauce

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

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kayce McCarty

    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

    • Sandi Gaertner

      My grandmother made this vanilla sauce all of the time. I am so glad to help bring a fond memory back for you. Have a wonderful holiday.

      Reply

  2. Robin

    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. Michelle

    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. Sonal

    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. Danielle

    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

  8. Jacqueline Meldrum

    That’s so simple and I’m a real sucker for anything lemon flavoured so I love this recipe. It would be great drizzled on so many cakes, puddings and desserts.

    Reply

  9. Natalie

    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. April J Harris

    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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