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5 from 4 votes

Strawberry Topping (For Cheesecake)

This strawberry topping for your cheesecake couldn't be simpler and is made on the stovetop. Made with just a few simple ingredients, in about 10 minutes this strawberry sauce is perfect for spooning over a big slice of cheesecake.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1.5 cups
Calories: 280kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 pound (16 ounces) fresh strawberries hulled and quartered
  • cup (67 g) granulated white sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract optional

Instructions

  • Combine cornstarch and lemon juice. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and lemon juice.
  • Add ingredients to pot. Add the lemon juice/cornstarch mixture to a medium saucepan, along with the strawberries and sugar.
  • Cook strawberry sauce. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally allowing the mixture to boil, and the strawberries to cook down, about 20 minutes until thickened. Mash down the strawberries slightly as it cooks, with a wooden spoon, potato masher or heat-proof spatula. I like to leave some of the unmashed and bigger (but you can mash the topping down as much as you want).
  • Cool and store. Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla (if using), and allow to cool completely . Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • Storage: You can store this strawberry sauce in a container in the fridge for up to a week.
  • Freezing: You can freeze the topping in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. When ready to use, let it thaw overnight in the fridge (or you can let it thaw on the counter if need be if you need it the day of). If you want you can warm the sauce back up on the stove or in your microwave.
  • Strawberries - I used fresh strawberries, but frozen could work too. I haven't tried with frozen strawberries but I would thaw them first before adding to the pan. You can also use other berries as well instead of strawberries.
  • Vanilla - The vanilla extract is optional, you can omit if you want but I like the flavor that it adds. My husband said “pass” and wanted 100% strawberry flavor. So it’s up to you, or you can always add a little bit at first and see what you think.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 476mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 60g | Vitamin A: 37IU | Vitamin C: 182mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg