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A trio of dipping sauces will elevate practically any dessert you can imagine. Try our raspberry, chocolate, and caramel sauces for beignets, fruit, or as a topping on cheesecake or ice cream.
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There are few things in life I like better than a good dipping sauce. The right sauce can elevate any meal, including dessert! These three sauces are each fantastic and can be used in so many different ways to add a little something to your next baked good.
The dipping sauces are the perfect thing to bring to a party along with a dessert. It makes everything feel just a tiny bit fancier. Try these at the next wedding or baby shower you throw and see. Classic dessert sauces are perfect on a Dessert Charcuterie Board. This fun charcuterie board we made for Valentine’s Day.
How to Make Chocolate Sauce
Nutella fans, rejoice! This will probably be your favorite chocolate dipping sauce, as the ingredients are simple Nutella, milk, and butter. Again, mix together over low heat to get this smooth and creamy chocolate sauce that you will want to eat with a spoon!
- Nutella – This is a famous brand that has a hazelnut and chocolate blend in a jar. You can find it at most grocery stores by the peanut butter.
- Milk – Makes the chocolate sauce thinner and creamier.
- Butter – Gives richness to the sauce and that beautiful glossy color.
How to Make Raspberry Sauce
It only takes two ingredients, not including water, and about 5 minutes to make this delicious raspberry sauce. This dipping sauce uses raspberry preserves as a base. You can also use seedless raspberry jam if you prefer. Simply add some vanilla and water, and mix well over low heat. The vanilla and raspberry flavors are incredible together!
- Raspberry preserves – Raspberry flavoring
- Water – Helps cook the raspberry sauce giving it more of a smooth base rather than a thick chunky sauce.
- Vanilla – Added in for flavor!
How to Make Caramel Sauce
Out of these three sauces, this dipping sauce usually takes a little more time but is so worth it! You will need both brown and white sugar to make this sauce, along with several other ingredients. The key with this sauce is to stir the mixture continually until it is smooth. Be patient, you are in for a treat!
- Granulated sugar and brown sugar – Stir the sugars together for a texture and added sweetness!
- Water – Lightens the sugars and helps the sauce be more
- Unsalted butter – The butter gives the homemade caramel sauce a smooth and rich flavor with a glossy appearance.
- Heavy cream – Added in for thick and creamy sauce.
- Vanilla extract – Gives a beautiful caramel brown coloring to the sauce while boosting the sauce with flavor.
- Salt – Balances out all the flavors together!
What to Dip in Dessert Sauces?
The possibilities are endless with this yummy trio of dipping sauces. Originally, I made these to accompany our mini beignet recipe, but once I created them, I kept finding new ways to use each of the dipping sauces.
- Desserts – New Orleans Mini Beignets, Homemade Donuts, Homemade Brownies, Chocolate Waffles, Pancakes, Bread Pudding, or Cheesecake.
- Fresh fruit – Bananas, strawberries, apples, and berries are always a great combination.
- Cookies – Make homemade cookies or store-bought cookies like wafers or graham crackers.
- Treats – Marshmallows, drizzle over popcorn, or serve with ice cream!
“I made the caramel sauce to go with some beignets I made today, and it was so good! It wasn’t too think or too thin, so it was perfect for dipping. It’s great for someone with a sweet tooth!”
-Karla
Frequently Asked Questions
The big four dessert sauces are chocolate, vanilla or custard, fruit, and sugar-based sauces such as butterscotch and caramel.
If you are not a fan of Nutella or do not have a store that has this ingredient, you can use our hot fudge sauce recipe to replace it. Still has the creamy and thick chocolate sauce just another flavor.
Absolutely! Make the sauces ahead of time. When ready to use them, simply warm them up slowly and they will taste amazing!
We have not tried freezing the dipping sauce or storing them in jars for a long time. To be honest, these sauces won’t last long! If you do freeze them, properly store them in an airtight sealed bag. When ready to warm up, I would add the bag to a saucepan with boiling water and place the bag in that until it is softened. The consistency of the sauces may be altered due to the freezing process.
New Orleans Favorites
Celebrate Mardi Gras or enjoy some New Orleans traditional recipes that are all full of flavor. From side dishes, and desserts, to the main dish, these are so fun to make, and bring more to the table with these classic recipes!
3 Dessert Dipping Sauces
Ingredients
Chocolate Sauce:
- 3/4 cup Nutella
- 1/3 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
Raspberry Sauce:
- 1 cup raspberry preserves or jam if you don’t like the seeds
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Caramel Sauce:
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
Chocolate Sauce:
- Combine and warm all ingredients in a small saucepan on low heat.
Raspberry Sauce:
- Combine and warm all ingredients in a small saucepan on low heat.
Caramel Sauce:
- In a saucepan, heat sugars and water over medium high heat until sugar darkens.
- Remove from heat and carefully whisk in the butter and half of the cream. Use an oven mitt to keep your hand from getting burned.
- Stir until smooth, then add remaining cream, vanilla, and salt.
Can I make the sauce hours in advance and just heat them in the microwave before eating?
Yep!
What could you use to replace Nutella? Just don’t care for it.
Maybe try our hot fudge sauce recipe instead! https://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/hot-fudge-sauce/
I made the caramel sauce to go with some beignets I made today, and it was so good! It wasn’t too think or too thin, so it was perfect for dipping. It’s great for someone with a sweet tooth!
Can we freeze them? If so how long, if not hot long can we keep them in the fridge before they go bad 😊
I haven’t tried freezing them before, so I’m not sure how they would turn out.
You said you haven’t frozen, but could you preserve in canning jars ?
We haven’t tried that either! This usually gets eaten up right away by my family.
I could eat these with a spoon! So delicious!
these are dreamy good!
All of these dipping sauces look amazing. I am really looking forward to trying them. Especially the butterscotch caramel sauce.