I may love being in the kitchen but I also love an easy recipe as much as the next person. A simple and quick Homemade Strawberry Topping is all you need to elevate any dessert (or even breakfast).

The strawberries at my local were starting to look fat and plump and after picking up a punnet of the juicy, red berries, I was inspired to make this strawberry topping.

A stack of waffles on a white plate topped with strawberry compote.

This recipe will work for most berries and even cherries like the topping on this Easy Baked Cherry Cheesecake though.

Hmmm so, strawberry topping vs strawberry compote?

The only difference between strawberry topping and strawberry compote is the name. Each one will have very slight variations but essentially they are just strawberries stewed with a little fruit juice and sometimes sugar until thick and syrupy.

How to make it

This recipe uses fresh or frozen strawberries. If using fresh, make sure they’re nice and ripe but either way this is super simple to make.

Just place all the ingredients into a saucepan (a heavy based saucepan is best to keep the heat distributed better), and let it heat and simmer for around 15 minutes and you have strawberry topping.

A spoon digging into strawberry topping in a round glass jar.

Uses for strawberry topping

This homemade strawberry topping is perfect over cheesecake, ice cream, pancakes, waffles – you name it – see some ideas below:

Substitutions

You can swap the strawberries for mixed berries, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries – the list goes on. Just note that some berries will break down more than others leaving you with a less chunky sauce.

Best picks if you like a chunky sauce would be strawberries, blueberries and cherries.

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A round glass jar filled with strawberry compote.

So do you have some delicious berries and 15 minutes? If you do, you could have a batch of Homemade Strawberry Topping ready to top anything at a moments notice.

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A spoon digging into strawberry topping in a round glass jar on a white napkin with strawberries around it

Homemade Strawberry Topping

Yield: 8 serves
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
4.3 from 10 votes
Homemade Strawberry Topping (aka strawberry compote), is sweet, vibrant and easy to make. Just 4 ingredients and 15 minutes and you have a chunky strawberry sauce for topping pancakes, waffles, ice cream, cheesecake – you name it.
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Ingredients

  • 3 cups hulled & quartered strawberries (frozen or fresh)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (notes 1)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ cup sugar

Instructions
 

Makes 1.5 cups

  • Place all ingredients in a heavy based saucepan over low heat. Heat gently, stirring occasionally, for around 15 minutes until the strawberries are soft and the juice has thickened slightly.
  • Allow to cool, then place in an airtight sterilised jar, in the fridge and use within 2 weeks.

Notes

  1. I use a standard Australian 20ml tablespoon (equals 4 teaspoons worldwide)
  2. Homemade Strawberry Topping will keep in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
More sauces and spreads.
Calories: 60kcal
Author: Marie Roffey
Course: Condiment, Dessert, Sweets
Cuisine: American, Australian, British, World
Have you tried this recipe?Rate or comment below and let us know how it was!