If you love desserts, this homemade vanilla cream sauce is better than whipped cream :-). Drizzle it on your favorite desserts. Not only is this sauce a winner on your favorite dessert, but it is the perfect vanilla sauce for bread pudding!
Jump to:
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!
This vanilla cream sauce is so good for desserts. Feel free to drizzle it on some of these Gluten Free Dessert recipes.
Why you need to make this vanilla sauce:
This sauce is versatile and quick and easy to make. It is the classic vanilla cream sauce recipe that my Grandmother used to make. Although this vanilla sauce recipe is great for bread pudding, you can use it over pie and ice cream too!
Ingredient notes:
Let's talk vanilla as it is the most important ingredient for this recipe. 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.
Recipe step by step directions:
Step 1: Add sugar and cornstarch to a small pot. Add a little hot water and whisk to blend the sugar sauce.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: Cool and serve. I love that this vanilla cream sauce is made without heavy cream!
You will love serving my easy vanilla sauce over all of your favorite desserts. Try it on my Grandma's Homemade Bread Pudding recipe!
Recipe FAQ:
This is the perfect vanilla sauce for this old-fashioned gluten free bread pudding or this gluten free bread pudding (using vanilla instead of caramel).
This sauce is naturally gluten free and this sauce can be made vegan if you substitute coconut oil instead of butter. It is perfect for those who have food allergies.
This homemade vanilla sauce will keep up to 4 days in the refrigerator
This homemade vanilla sauce also makes a great edible gift!
More delicious gluten free desserts to try:
Reader Jax said "Perfect! Made for an amazing dessert drizzled over pound cake and berries. Loved it!"
Recipe
Homemade Vanilla Cream Sauce
Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch * see note
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 slice of lemon
- 1 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- tiny dash salt
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, add sugar and cornstarch.
- Pour in a little of the hot water and whisk quickly to blend.
- Turn on the stove onto low heat and add the rest of the water, butter, vanilla, and lemon.
- Simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
Notes
- You can use tapioca starch or arrowroot starch instead of corn starch.
- This vanilla sauce will keep up to 6 days in the refrigerator. You can freeze it up to 4 months.
- Slather this cream sauce on pie, ice cream, and cakes.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
If you love the recipes you are finding on my blog, I would love for you to sign up for my newsletter (and get my free gluten free lemon desserts e-cookbook!)
Wendi Norris
It is so good and so easy! One thing I changed...cornstarch dissolves in cold water, so I used cold water instead of boiling water (It makes it so much easier). I brought it to a boil after all of the ingredients were added and then let it simmer for a few minutes.
Sandi Gaertner
I didn't think to dissolve the cornstarch in cold water, thank you for the tip! I am glad you loved this simple vanilla sauce, Wendi :-).
Dale Hansard
Can you can this sauce for longer keeping
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Dale, I have never canned anything so I am not sure I can answer your question accurately.
Debbie
On my. Just found you. My gransmother made hard sauce which we slathered on cherry or BlackBerry cobbler. It was so good. I am making this soon. Thanks for great food memories
Sandi Gaertner
I am so glad you found my recipes, Debbie. This vanilla sauce recipe has been in our family as far back as I can remember. I love you slathered it on cobbler!!
Shannon
If you’re using a vanilla bean versus the extract, how much of the bean do you use?
Sandi Gaertner
Hi Shannon, I use a full bean when I use fresh vanilla beans.