Berry Dessert Sauces - Cooks Illustrated

Published May 1, 2003.

Tired of thick, overly sweet fruit sauces that taste like jam? We found a way to make one with bright, fresh flavors using only a few simple ingredients.

The Problem

We've all had thick, candy-sweet berry sauces that taste more like melted jam than fresh fruit. Then there are the chunky, lumpy sauces that are filled with seeds but have little flavor.

The Goal

A silky smooth sauce that tastes like fresh berries, with a perfect not-too-thick, not-too-thin consistency and the ability to complement everything from pancakes to pound cakes.

The Solution

Use just fruit, sugar, salt, and lemon, thinned with a bit of water, and simmer for just one minute to combine the flavors and help release the fruit's natural pectin.

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