15 Mouthwatering Homemade Dessert Sauces
Updated on March 13, 2023
If you have even half the sweet tooth we do, then we’d be willing to bet that you also share our high appreciation for delicious dessert sauces. There’s just something about a sweet and flavourful dessert sauce that amps up the taste of an already yummy dish, adding to the experience rather than masking the original good flavour you already now you like. We had two or three favourites when it came to homemade dessert sauces, and maybe one or two more if we considered store bought kinds, but it was only recently that we truly started exploring the different options are checking out what kinds of dessert sauces other people like to make that we’d never tried before.
Our Favorite Homemade Dessert Sauces
We’re very pleased to report that the fantastic flavours were almost endless and we were not disappointed in what we found. We even appreciated stumbling across a few more ideas of what kinds of things to drizzle our dessert sauces on in the process!
If you’re feeling just as intrigued as we were, if not more, about the idea of learning how to make your very own dessert sauces in all different flavours, check out this list of the 15 best ideas, recipes, and tutorials that we came across in our search.
1. Creme Anglaise sauce
If you ask us, even just the name of this first option from The Ktchn is practically irresistible! This gourmet sounding sauce has all the flavours to match, tasting smooth and creamy like warm homemade custard, but with just a hint of sweet vanilla. To make it, you’ll need:
- 1/12 cups of whole milk, cream, or half-and-half
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/3 cup of sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
2. Homemade chocolate sauce
Are you a pretty diehard fan of the classics but you’ve been working towards learning how to make your own homemade versions rather than just picking up a branded bottle off the store shelf? Well, if you’re a big chocolate sauce lover specifically, then we think you’ll appreciate this recipe from Crazy for Crust. To make it, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
- 2/3 cup of your favourite brand of vanilla coffee creamer (or another flavour, but we liked it best with vanilla)
- 1/2 cup agave or honey
- A pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
3. Raspberry coulis
Now, just because you’re making a dessert sauce does not mean that you have to make something that’s creamy and very rich, like the ones you saw above. If you’re more of a fruit lover, consider taking a look at something like a coulis instead! For the raspberry fans out there, this sweet and flavourful recipe from Paris Hues is one of our very favourites. To make it, you’ll need:
- 2 pints raspberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup sugar (or to taste)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp grated lemon rind
4. Chocolate ganache
Are you still thinking about how much you loved the idea of making a chocolate based dessert sauce because you are, at the heart of all things, a total “chocaholic”, but you’re still also feeling enamoured with the idea of making something a little more gourmet? In that case, we have every confidence that you’re going to adore this thick, decadent chocolate ganache recipe from Food Network. It requires:
- 16 oz bittersweet chocolate (finely chopped)
- 2 cups heavy cream
Yes, that’s really all it takes!
5. Homemade strawberry glaze
Did we really catch your attention when we started talking about berry based recipes and coulis sauces but you’re not sure raspberries are the direction you’d like to take things in? Try this strawberry version from Hoosier Homemade instead! You’ll need:
- 1 cup fresh Strawberries (cleaned, mashed)
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 3/4 cup water
- A few drops of red food colouring (optional)
6. Vanilla cream glaze
Are you a big fan of sweet, creamy sauces but you’re actually the opposite of a “choco-holic”? Then this vanilla cream glaze by How Sweet Eats is definitely the recipe for you! This would taste great on a pan of fresh, warm cinnamon rolls. You’ll need:
- 1 cup of powdered sugar (heaping)
- 1 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup of heavy cream
- 2 1/2 cup of tbsp of milk
7. Buttermilk sugar glaze
12 Tomatoes shows you how to make a simply sweet sugar glaze that would taste good on any number of baked goods, but that we know is just heavenly for making classic glazed donuts. You’ll need:
- 3 cups of powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp of salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup of cold water
8. Sweet lemon glaze
Do you love the glaze idea above but you’d prefer a little extra flavour to add to what you’ve made? This lemon version by Recipeler is the perfect alternative for you. You’ll need:
- 2 cups of confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice
- 2 tbsp of butter (softened)
- 1 tbsp of lemon zest
9. Caramel sauce
Do you like a rich, sweet flavour but neither chocolate nor vanilla will do the trick for you? Try this sticky and delicious caramel sauce by Tracey’s Culinary Adventures instead! You’ll need:
- 1 cup of sugar
- 2 tbsp of corn syrup
- 2 tbsp of water
- 1/8 tsp of lemon juice
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream (hot)
- 1 tbsp of unsalted butter
10. Vanilla sabayon
Perhaps you’re into textures as well as tastes and you’d like something a little thicker? This delicious sabayon, which is made of egg whites, resembles more of a classic custard. To make it, De Leukste Taarten Shop suggests:
- 3 egg yolks
- 300 ml of unbeaten cream
- 1 sachet of vanilla sugar
- Strawberries to pour it over
11. Homemade hot fudge sauce
Okay, so we’ve already given you recipes for chocolate sauce and chocolate ganache, but what if you’re still looking for something even richer? Then we’re convinced this fudge sauce by Chocolate Moosey is the solution. You’ll need:
- 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp of corn syrup
- 1/3 cup of granulated sugar
- 4 oz of semisweet chocolate (chopped)
- 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
12. Chocolate espresso sauce
Would you prefer that your chocolate sauce have a little extra kick of flavour that the classic recipe doesn’t? Then you’ll love this espresso version from She Knows! You’ll need:
- 1/4 cup of freshly made espresso
- 1-2 tbsp of sugar
- 2 oz of chocolate block (coarsely chopped)
- 1 tsp of soft butter
13. Sweet cherry syrup
Do you love the idea of a sweet fruit sauce, but neither raspberries nor strawberries are quite your taste? Try this rich cherry recipe from Wonky Wonderful instead! You’ll need:
- 1 lb of red cherries (pitted and halved)
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup of water
- 2 tsp of fresh lemon juice
- A pinch of sea salt
- 1/4 cup of water
- 2 tsp of cornstarch
14. Sweet blackberry and brandy sauce
Just in case you’re still not satisfied with the fruit and berry options you’ve seen so far, here’s one more! Make one from blackberries just like this one from All Recipes. You’ll need:
- 4 cups of blackberries (fresh)
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1 tbsp of brandy
- 2 tbsp of cornstarch
- 1/4 cup of water
15. Brown sugar and pecan praline sauce
About Food has a suggestion for you that has a little more flavour and texture! So long as you’re not allergic to any kinds of nuts, the flavour of this sauce is practically unmatched, in our humble opinion. You’ll need:
- 1 1/4 cups of light brown sugar
- 3/4 cup of evaporated milk
- 1 tbsp of butter
- 1/2 tsp of vanilla
- 1/4 cup of pecans (chopped)
Do you have another favourite dessert sauce recipe that you don’t see here but that you definitely recommend, and that your family and friends go crazy for whenever you make it? Tell us how to make it in the comments section so we can try it out too!