Fresh Strawberry Compote You Will Be Making All Spring

Bursting with fresh fruity goodness, strawberry compote is a versatile sauce that you need in your baking repertoire! Incredibly easy to make, it's perfect for topping vanilla ice cream, cakes, and waffles, as well as filling cupcakes or cakes. So, if you've ever wondered how to make strawberry compote for cheesecake, go grab yourself some fresh strawberries because this is your lucky day!

What is Strawberry Compote

Strawberry compote is a thickened sweet sauce made from fresh or frozen strawberries that are gently cooked down with a bit of sugar and lemon juice. The cooking process releases the natural sugars of the berries, which results in a vibrant red sweet strawberry sauce with a hint of tanginess that makes a perfect topping, filling, or accompaniment to a variety of desserts and breakfast favorites. 

Is strawberry compote the same as jam

While both compote and jam feature cooked fruit, they are not quite the same. Jam is typically thicker and more gel-like due to the use of pectin, while compote tends to be slightly thinner and retains some of the fruit's texture. Compote is also typically less sweet than jam, allowing the natural flavor of the strawberries to shine through.

Strawberry Compote vs. Coulis - what´s the difference

People sometimes confuse compote with another type of sauce called coulis. The two are both fruit-based sauces, but coulis has a different texture. The cooked fruit in coulis is pureed and then strained, which results in a smooth seedless sauce. On the other hand, compote is chunkier, featuring whole or halved strawberries with a more rustic appearance. 

Why this is the best recipe

1. Quick and easy - You don't need to have any fancy cooking skills or expensive equipment to make this sauce. With just 3 ingredients and a few simple steps, you can make this simple strawberry compote recipe in 20 minutes!
2. Fresh strawberry flavor - Nothing compares to the fruity deliciousness of fresh ripe strawberries. This compote perfectly highlights the natural sweetness, tanginess, and texture of the berries without adding any pectin or cornstarch.
3. Versatile fruit sauce - This fruit compote is a versatile sauce that you can use on a variety of dishes, from breakfast favorites like pancakes and waffles to desserts like cheesecake, cupcakes, and more.
4. Customizable Recipe - Aside from adjusting the amount of sugar, this fresh strawberry compote is like a blank canvas that you can easily customize by incorporating other ingredients like fresh herbs, citrus, vanilla, and just to name a few.

Ingredients

So, what is strawberry compote made of? Let's take a look at the key ingredients that make up this delicious sauce. 

• 600 g (4 cups) Strawberries, fresh or frozen
• 70 g (⅓ cup) Granulated sugar, more or less depending on the sweetness of the strawberries
• 15 g (1 tablespoon) Lemon juice, freshly squeezed

1. Strawberries - You can use fresh or frozen strawberries. Just keep in mind that you might have to increase the cooking time, as frozen fruit compote tends to take longer to thicken. 
2. Granulated Sugar - This recipe calls for granulated sugar to sweeten the compote. If you prefer, natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup are other options. 
3. Lemon Juice - It enhances the natural flavor of the berries. You should always use freshly squeezed lemon juice. You can use lime juice if you don't have any lemons on hand.

How to make Strawberry compote

This recipe is ridiculously easy! You’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff once you learn how to make strawberry compote for pancakes, cheesecake, custard, and all your other favorites right in your own kitchen! 

1. Cut the bigger strawberries into halves. You can leave the small ones whole.
2. In a saucepan, combine the strawberries, granulated sugar, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
3. Place the saucepan over medium heat and let the mixture cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until it thickens up a bit. 
4. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar if needed.
5. Once the compote reaches your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly before serving.

💡 Top Tip: If you over-thicken the compote, don't worry! Simply add a bit of water or fruit juice to thin it out.

Flavor variations

One of the things I love about this easy strawberry compote recipe is its versatility. Here are a few of my favorite flavor variations:

1. Berries - Take your compote to the next level by using a mixture of berries such as blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries. It’s very easy to turn this recipe into a strawberry blueberry compote just by replacing half of the strawberries with blueberries. 
2. Citrus Zing - Incorporate a squeeze of orange juice or lime juice for a little extra tang. You can also add lemon zest for a hint of lemony flavor. 
3. Herbs - Experiment with fresh herbs like mint or basil for an intriguing herbal touch. Just add a few finely chopped leaves to the mixture.
4. Alcohol - For a touch of indulgence, a splash of your favorite liquor can work wonders. Try adding Grand Marnier, amaretto, or even a little rum at the end of the cooking.
5. Spices - Add warm aromatic spices like a pinch of cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg, or a hint of ginger.
6. Vanilla - Elevate your compote by adding some vanilla extract or a scraped vanilla bean. The floral notes meld beautifully with the strawberries.
7. Balsamic - For a sophisticated twist, drizzle some aged balsamic vinegar into your compote. The tangy sweetness of the vinegar creates a unique flavor profile that is divine. 
8. Rhubarb - Combine your strawberry sauce with stewed tart rhubarb for a yummy contrast. This combination is a fantastic filling for crumbles.
9. Honey Lavender - Infuse your compote with a hint of lavender and a drizzle of honey. 

Expert tips

1. The sweetness of strawberries can vary, so it's best to start with a smaller amount of sugar and taste the sauce as it cooks. Then, adjust the sweetness by gradually adding more sugar if needed.
2. The cooking time can affect the texture of the compote. If you prefer a chunkier sauce, cook the compote for a shorter time. For a thicker compote, cook it a bit longer.
3. Maintain a gentle simmer as you cook the compote to avoid potentially burning it or breaking the strawberries down too much.
4. When using frozen strawberries, there's no need to thaw them before making the compote.
5. If you find your compote is still too runny after 20 minutes, just continue cooking it over medium heat, and it will reduce. On the other hand, if it becomes too thick, add a splash of water or fruit juice to thin it out.
6. If you prefer a smoother compote, you can use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to gently mash some of the strawberries while they cook.
7. If you have an abundance of fresh strawberries, make a larger batch of compote and store it in airtight containers in the freezer. Then you can enjoy the taste of summer strawberries even when they're out of season.

How to use Strawberry compote

Now for the fun part! Deciding what to do with strawberry compote is like unlocking a treasure trove of delicious possibilities! 

1. Use it as a topping

• Spoon it over pancakes, waffles, or French toast
• Drizzle it over vanilla ice cream, yogurt, or panna cotta
• Use it to top different types of cheesecake like Japanese cheesecake or Basque burnt cheesecake 
• Add a layer on top of mini strawberry tarts

2. Use it as filling

• Spread it between layers of pink cake or chocolate sponge cake
• Use it to fill cupcakes
• Swirl it into the batter of recipes like coconut muffins
• Use it as a filling for pate sablee crust or turnovers

3. Serve it on the side

• Use it as a dipping sauce for croquembouche 
• Serve alongside slices of lemon meringue loaf
• Serve with savory dishes like grilled chicken or pork 

4. Top it with something

• Spread it on the bottom of a dish and top it with streusel topping
• Put it in ramekins and sprinkle it with crumbled brownie cookies