Raspberry Coulis

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This easy raspberry coulis recipe can be made in a matter of minutes and only uses 4 ingredients! Use it as a dessert topping, syrup, or as a mix-in for drinks.

Spoon drizzling raspberry coulis into a jar.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Raspberry Coulis vs. Raspberry Sauce Topping
  2. Easy Raspberry Coulis Ingredients
  3. How to Make Raspberry Coulis
  4. Storage Tips
  5. Strained or Keeping the Seeds
  6. Uses for Homemade Raspberry Coulis
  7. Raspberry Topping for Cheesecake
  8. Tips for the Best Raspberry Coulis Recipe
  9. Frequently Asked Questions
  10. Storing Raspberry Coulis
  11. More Delicious Syrup Recipes
  12. How to Make Raspberry Coulis
  13. Raspberry Coulis Recipe

Raspberry coulis, also known as raspberry sauce, is my favorite sauce to spoon over cheesecake to pancakes. It has such a vibrant color and looks gorgeous when contrasted against a smooth, creamy dessert or breakfast. Add a spring of mint for another bright pop of color and give it a decadent appearance.

This raspberry coulis is a thick, pureed sauce made from fresh or frozen raspberries. The raspberries are cooked with sugar and lemon juice to add flavor and gelatinize the sauce. The seeds are then strained using a fine mesh sieve to create a bright red sauce. Raspberry coulis is perfect for topping off desserts or using it as a syrup for pancakes and waffles. It is the perfect combination!

Cheesecake with raspberry coulis spread on top and fresh raspberries on the side.


Raspberry Coulis vs. Raspberry Sauce Topping

Raspberry coulis and raspberry sauce toppings are both delicious raspberry-based toppings! They have some differences in terms of their consistency, purpose, and preparation. The main differences between raspberry coulis and raspberry sauce topping lie in their consistency and intended use. Both are delicious and flavorful!

  • Consistency – Raspberry coulis is a French term that refers to a smooth, pureed sauce that is made from fruits and even veggies. It is a thin and silky, usually strained sauce from fresh or frozen raspberries. Homemade raspberry sauce recipe is slightly thicker and chunkier compared to coulis. This sauce may contain whole or partially crushed raspberries. This sauce is not always strained and has seeds.
  • Purpose – Both are used for drizzling or decorating desserts, cakes, cheesecakes, ice cream, breakfast favorites, and so much more! The easy raspberry sauce recipe can also be added to beverages and filling of pastries. The raspberry coulis and sauce topping are both bursting with a fruity flavor and visually look amazingly delicious!
  • Preparation – Each of these recipes is a simple and quick process to make! Raspberry coulis is blended and strained then added sweetness to balance the flavors whereas raspberry sauce topping is cooked on the stovetop and has a thickening agent added to it. They are both a relatively simple and quick process.
Bowl of frozen raspberries, sugar, water and corn starch to make raspberry coulis.

Easy Raspberry Coulis Ingredients

This raspberry coulis recipe is super easy and only takes a few simple ingredients to prepare. Use either fresh or frozen raspberries, a little water for consistency, sugar for sweetness, and thicken it with cornstarch. These pantry staples make this raspberry coulis super simple quick and easy to make!

  • Raspberries – Frozen raspberries work perfectly. They also help with the consistency.
  • Water – Use this for both the raspberry mixture as well as the cornstarch flurry.
  • Sugar – Added in for sweetness and to balance out the tart flavoring.
  • Cornstarch – This will help thicken the sauce and give it that smooth consistency.
Pot of thin raspberry coulis. Cornstarch slurry on the side.

How to Make Raspberry Coulis

Making raspberry coulis is as easy as 1-2-3! It doesn’t take long to bring to a boil and simmer the raspberries, then strain them removing all the seeds, and then thickening it up. Within minutes you will have a delicious raspberry coulis sauce!

  1. Simmer – Place raspberries, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  2. Mesh sieve – Strain raspberry seeds using a fine mesh sieve and bring juices back to a simmer.
  3. Thicken – Add a cornstarch slurry to thicken and allow to cool.
Side view of raspberry coulis in a jar.

Storage Tips

Store raspberry coulis in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also store it in a freezer-safe container and freeze it for 6+ months.

Strained or Keeping the Seeds

When making raspberry sauce you can either keep the seeds or not have no seeds in the sauce. We almost always prefer no seeds because they come out more clear and have a better consistency. It is a thinner consistency that is silky smooth. It works better as a simple syrup and looks better as a dessert topping.

If you keep the seeds in, the sauce comes out thicker and more like a raspberry jam. To break up the seeds you can process the sauce in a food processor or you can leave the sauce as is. Either way, both options give more of a variety to making this raspberry coulis sauce.

Bowl of vanilla ice cream with raspberry coulis.

Uses for Homemade Raspberry Coulis

Homemade raspberry coulis is an incredibly versatile dessert sauce that can be used in many different ways! Have this on hand and stored for these delicious recipes to use it on. Here are some of our favorite things we like to add coulis to.

Stack of pancakes with raspberry coulis, fresh raspberries and whipped cream on a plate.

Raspberry Topping for Cheesecake

A raspberry coulis can add a delightful burst of flavor and a beautiful pop of color to your cheesecake. This simple recipe for making a raspberry topping The result is a smooth, vibrant, and slightly tart sauce that adds a burst of raspberry flavor and a visually appealing touch to your dessert.

Coulis is a smoother, seedless sauce primarily used for drizzling over desserts like cheesecakes. Styling raspberry coulis on a cheesecake can turn a simple dessert into an elegant masterpiece. You can use a classic drizzle over top, swirls over top and on the plate, or dots and lines on the plate. These are classic and elegant ways to boost your appearance and flavor cheesecake!

Tips for the Best Raspberry Coulis Recipe

Homemade raspberry coulis is a smooth and silky sauce that is thick and delicious in every bite! Make it even better with a few helpful tips! Try more flavors, using fresh raspberries, or change the appearance. All these tips make for a delicious raspberry coulis!

  • More flavors – Try adding different flavors to your sauce by adding a drop or two of vanilla extract, a few drops of lemon juice, or some orange or lemon zest to taste.
  • Fresh raspberries – Use fresh raspberries along with the sauce on desserts as a garnish. Fresh mints or sprigs of fresh herbs also complement the look of raspberries.
  • Glaze appearance – Combine sauce with other fresh berries to create a glazed look.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between raspberry coulis and puree?

A raspberry coulis is similar to a puree that is blended together in a blender and has a thick consistency. It is a strained puree that is cooked together on medium-low heat with certain fruits making an easy sauce that can be spread overtop desserts.

Where does coulis come from?

The word coulis is a French word that means thick sauce that is made from pureed and strained fruits and veggies. It was originally used for a meat sauce that was reduced three times. Now, savory coulis are made from pureed vegetable, and sweet coulis is made from any kind of fruit.

Are raspberries sour?

Raspberries can be sour, especially if they aren’t ripe. The sugar in this recipe cuts the sour taste to give you a perfectly sweet raspberry sauce.

Can raspberry coulis be frozen?

Yes! Store raspberry coulis in the freezer for up to 6 months.

When is raspberry season?

Raspberry season is typically from the months of May to August. Be sure to buy in bulk to make lots of this sauce for future use!

Close up slice of Raspberry coulis on cheesecake with fresh raspberries.

Storing Raspberry Coulis

Store the raspberry coulis in a jar and place it in the fridge for a few weeks. When ready to use, warm it up or enjoy it at a cooler temperature when spreading it overtop breakfasts, desserts, or adding to your favorite drink option.

Read Next: Christmas Dessert Ideas

More Delicious Syrup Recipes

Making pancakes or waffles is one thing but having the perfect syrup pairing is the next best thing! These favorite syrup recipes are simple to make and have all the flavor. Use a classic and more traditional maple syrup, or fruit syrup, or go with a smooth and creamy coconut syrup. All are delicious and easy to make!

How to Make Raspberry Coulis

Spoon in a jar of Raspberry Sauce.

Raspberry Coulis

5 from 5 votes
This easy raspberry coulis recipe can be made in a matter of minutes and only uses 4 ingredients! Use it as a dessert topping, syrup, or as a mix-in for drinks. 
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 16 minutes
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups frozen raspberries
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, place frozen raspberries and 2 Tablespoons of water, heat until thawed, add sugar, and stir. Let simmer for approx. 3-5 minutes.
    Pot of frozen raspberries, sugar and water for Raspberry sauce.
  • Strain seeds (catching the juices/pulp over a bowl) through a fine mesh strainer, discard seeds and then put juices back in the saucepan.
    Spatula straining raspberry pulp and seeds for Raspberry Sauce.
  • Mix cornstarch with water and add to the sauce. Stirring constantly, bring sauce to a boil on medium-high heat, and boil for 1 minute to thicken.
    Pot of thin Raspberry sauce. Cornstarch slurry on the side.
  • Serve warm or allow the sauce to cool before using it as a topping.
    Side view of Raspberry Sauce in a jar.

Notes

  • Try adding different flavors to your raspberry coulis by adding a drop or two of vanilla extract, a few drops of lemon juice, or some orange or lemon zest to taste.
  • Use fresh raspberries along with the raspberry coulis on desserts as a garnish. Fresh mints or sprigs of fresh herbs also complement the look of raspberries.
  • Combine sauce with other fresh berries to create a glazed look
  • Store raspberry coulis in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also store it in a freezer-safe container and freeze it for 6+ months.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 43kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 0.4gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 45mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.2mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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