Strawberry Topping For Cheesecake - The Toasty Kitchen

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Strawberry topping for cheesecake is a homemade strawberry sauce that's made on the stovetop with a few simple ingredients. This sweet strawberry topping is perfect for more than just mini cheesecakes - try it on pancakes, pound cake, and waffles!

I make this recipe as a no-bake cheesecake topping two or three times a year. My family loves it. ★★★★★ - Dorothy

Why make strawberry topping?

It's fresh and bright. This recipe is made with real strawberries for an intense berry flavor (no artificial flavors or colors needed!).

Can be made year round. Strawberries not in season? Use frozen instead.

It's simple and quick. You only need four ingredients and a saucepan to make strawberry topping from home in 20 minutes.

Use on: Mini Cheesecakes, No-Bake Cheesecake Bars, and Buttermilk Pancakes

Similar to: Raspberry Sauce For Cheesecake and Lemon Blueberry Topping for Cheesecake

Jump to:

• Why make strawberry topping?
• Ingredients and substitutions
• How to make strawberry topping
• Tips and tricks
• Storage
• Uses
• Frequently asked questions
• Recommended
• 📖 Recipe
• Comments

Ingredients and substitutions

• Strawberries - Fresh or frozen strawberries work in this recipe. If your strawberries are frozen and whole, you'll want to let them thaw first. Then dice your strawberries as directed in the recipe card (frozen strawberries should already be hulled).
• Granulated sugar - Adds sweetness and helps create the sauce when melted with the other ingredients.
• Lemon juice - Brightens the flavor of your sauce and helps cut the sweetness with a little acidity. Does not make your sauce taste lemony.
• Cornstarch - Thickens your sauce made with the juices from the strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar. Depending on the juiciness of your strawberries, you may want to add a few tablespoons of water. I've made this recipe dozens of times and the juiciness of your strawberries can vary greatly. Fresh picked, in season strawberries are usually very juicy and require no extra water. Out of season strawberries tend to be a little dry in comparison.

How to make strawberry topping

1. Add your ingredients to the pan. If needed, add a few tablespoons of water (this depends on how juicy your strawberries are).
2. Stir until the sugar has melted and ingredients are incorporated.
3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low.
4. Once your sauce has thickened and looks glossy, remove from heat and allow to cool before serving over cheesecake.

Tips and tricks

How to hull strawberries - Use a paring knife to cut in a circular motion around the stem of the strawberry and into the white flesh underneath. Remove the hull, discard, and give your strawberries a good rinse before dicing.

Not enough liquid? - The strawberries slowly release their juices as they cook. The cornstarch works with the juices in the pan to create a thick, glaze-like sauce. Strawberry juiciness can vary depending on the season, so you may find it necessary to add a small amount of water to the pan. I'd suggest starting with 1-2 tablespoons and add more as needed.

Sauce sticking to the pan? - If the sauce is sticking to the bottom of the pan, the heat is too high. Turn the heat down slightly and add a splash of water.

Storage

Strawberry topping will keep for about 1 week in the refrigerator.

It also freezes well for up to six months in a tightly sealed, freezer safe container. To thaw, transfer to the refrigerator and allow to thaw overnight.

Uses

• Topping for Mini Cheesecakes, No-Bake Cheesecake Bars, and Strawberry Cheesecake Dip
• Layer with Lemon Mousse or Cheesecake Mousse
• Filling for Strawberry Filled Cupcakes and Strawberry Filled White Cake
• Serve with Buttermilk Pancakes or Cast Iron Buttermilk Biscuits
• Topping for your morning yogurt

Frequently asked questions

Can this sauce be canned?

No. I don't recommend canning sauces that are thickened with cornstarch because it can interfere with the heat penetration while canning.

How do I fix sauce that's too thick?

If your sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of water and stir to incorporate. This can happen with out of season strawberries that aren't very juicy.

How do I fix sauce that's too thin?

Your sauce can turn out thin if you're using very fresh, in-season strawberries. Add a bit more cornstarch, stir to combine, and continue cooking.

Recommended

• Mini Cheesecakes
• Lemon Blueberry Topping for Cheesecake
• Raspberry Sauce For Cheesecake
• Irish Tea Cake

📖 Recipe

Pin Print Rate 4.77 from 128 reviews

Strawberry Topping for Cheesecake

Strawberry topping for cheesecake is a homemade strawberry sauce that's made on the stovetop with a few simple ingredients. This sweet strawberry topping is perfect for more than just cheesecake - try it on pancakes, pound cake, waffles, and more. Prep Time10 minutes minutesCook Time6 minutes minutesTotal Time16 minutes minutes Servings: 8 servings Calories: 47kcal Author: Heather

Ingredients

• 1 pound (454 g) fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• In a saucepan over medium heat, add strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Stir to combine. If your strawberries are not very juicy, add 1-2 tablespoons of water as needed.
• Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until mixture has thickened and looks glossy (this could take up to 6-8 minutes). Remove from heat and allow to cool.
• Store topping in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Equipment Recommendations

• Lemon Juicer
• Red Spoonula Set
• Dry Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons

Notes

• Yield: About 1 ½ cups of strawberry topping
• Look for visual cues: This recipe is less about time and more about the thickness of your sauce, so watch it carefully and remove from heat when your sauce has thickened.
• Storage: Strawberry topping will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: Strawberry topping can be frozen for up to 6 months in a tightly sealed, freezer safe container.
• Uses: Use your strawberry topping to top cheesecake, mini cheesecakes, pancakes, pound cake, as a cupcake filling, or as an ice cream topping.

Nutrition Estimate

Serving: 3tablespoons | Calories: 47kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 87mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 34.1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.2mg Course: DessertCuisine: American