Easy Dessert Lemon Sauce Recipe - Pitchfork Foodie Farms (2024)

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Lemon Sauce is a staple in our refrigerator because it’s easy to make and it’s fabulous served on gingerbread, pancakes, pound cake, angel food cake, bread pudding, ice cream or any other dessert you can think of! It’s zesty, tangy, tart, and just the right amount of sweet!

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NOTE: This post was updated in 2019 to include new photos and tips. The recipe is the same!

My mom used to make homemade gingerbread, and I LOVED it! I have to admit the best part was the sweet lemon sauce and the mounds of freshly whipped cream she served on top of it.

Here in Eastern Idaho, it gets so stinking cold and it stays cold for forever! I feel like most of my life is spent trying to keep my nostrils from freezing shut. Needless to say, it’s not my favorite part of living here.

After long winters of shivering and being shut-in, I start craving all things lemon. The zesty flavors feel like the only hope of thawing out and finally getting summer.

Just like most of my recipes, my recipe for lemon sauce is easy to make, can be made ahead of time, and is super versatile.

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How to tell when lemon sauce is cooked?

One of the trickiest things about making any lemon sauce recipe is that it’s kind of hard to tell you exactly how long to cook lemon curd recipes. Even though you measure exactly the cooking time still varies every time you make it. Not to worry though, I’ll show you exactly how to know when it’s ready so it won’t be too thick or too thin.

**Little Dairy on the Prairie Pro Tip**

The easiest way to tell if thickened sauces are cooked through and thickened just right is test it with a wooden spoon or spatula. Drag the spoon through the sauce making sure it’s touching the bottom of the pan. Once it leaves a clean streak behind the spoon you’ll know it’s thickened just right. The sauce will quickly fill the streak.

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What’s the difference between lemon curd, lemon pie filling, and lemon sauce?

All three are very similar really. Lemon curd is typically thickened with whole eggs and egg yolks, while lemon pie filling is usually thickened with flour. Pie filling is more like pudding and the flavor is less intense.

Lemon Sauce Recipes vary a lot. After trying several of them this is my favorite! It’s thickened with egg yolks and cornstarch which gives it a bright lemony flavor AND it’s creamy! This recipe also has butter which adds another element of flavor! This sauce is also a bit thicker than other recipes I’ve tried.

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How to make lemon sauce?

STEP 1: Add sugar, cornstarch, salt, and a little ground nutmeg. (Nutmeg is optional but DELICIOUS!) Whisk to combine.

STEP 2: Set saucepan over medium heat. While whisking gradually add water.

STEP 3: Continue whisking and cooking until the mixture begins to thicken.

STEP 4: Slowly add about a small amount of lemon sauce to beaten egg yolks. Whisk. This helps heat the eggs up a little at a time so they don’t turn to scrambled eggs.

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STEP 5: While whisking lemon sauce slowly add egg mixture to the lemon sauce and continue whisking until thickened to the point you can drag a spatula through the sauce and it will leave a trail for a second.

STEP 6: Remove from heat.

STEP 7: Add lemon juice, zest, and butter.

STEP 8: Stir until butter is melted.

Serve warm.

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What to do with lemon sauce or lemon curd?

This is the best thing about this dessert sauce! It can be used in a million different ways!

  • spread over toast
  • add a little bit to whipped cream
  • serve it over pancakes, waffles, or French toast
  • add it to smoothies
  • for ginger bread
  • serve over cake
  • topping for angel food cake
  • use it for bread pudding
  • topping for cheesecake
  • over ice cream
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Does lemon sauce have to be refrigerated?

Yes! Since lemon sauce has eggs it will need to be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

How long does lemon sauce last?

Lemon sauce stored in the refrigerator will last up to two weeks.

Can I use lemon juice concentrate to make lemon sauce?

It’s best to use freshly squeezed lemon juice in lemon sauce and lemon curd recipes. It will add the most flavor.

How much lemon juice is in one lemon.

One average a lemon will have 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 Tablespoon of lemon zest.

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Easy Lemon Recipes

Lemon Dessert Recipes

  • Lemon Fudge
  • Lemon Cheesecake Bars
  • Lemon Cheesecake Pie

Be sure to check out my other easy no bake dessert recipes too!

A few Lemon Main Dish Recipes

  • Lemon Pasta Salad
  • Lemon Orzo Salad

Other Dessert Sauces

  • Raspberry Sauce
  • Hot Fudge Recipe
  • Peanut Butter Hot Fudge Sauce Recipe
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Be sure to pin my Lemon Sauce Recipe

You guys, this lemon sauce is seriously so yummy you’ll be dreaming up new ways to use it! Dessert sauces are like icing on the cake and this recipe is so dreamy and easy to make! Get a jar made and in your fridge. Let me what you serve it with!

Easy Dessert Lemon Sauce Recipe - Pitchfork Foodie Farms (10)

Easy Lemon Sauce for Desserts

4.62 from 13 votes

Author Amy

Course Dessert

Cuisine Amercian

Servings 8 servings

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Lemon Sauce is like a staple in our refrigerator! It's fantastic served over just about anything you can think of; toast, ice cream, gingerbread, angel food cake, pound cake, cheesecake, bread pudding.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1/8 teaspoons nutmeg optional
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 4 Tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • yellow food coloring optional

Instructions

  • Whisk three egg yolks in a liquid measuring cup. Set aside.

  • Add sugar and cornstarch to a saucepan. Whisk to combine.

  • Add salt and a little ground nutmeg. Nutmeg is optional but DELICIOUS!

  • Set saucepan over medium heat. While whisking gradually add water.

  • Continue whisking and cooking until the mixture begins to thicken. It should be about the constancy of thin gravy.

  • Slowly add about a small amount, about 1/4 a cup, of thickened lemon sauce to beaten egg yolks in the liquid measuring cup. Whisk.

  • While whisking lemon sauce in the pan, slowly add egg mixture to the lemon sauce and continue whisking until thickened. Drag the back of a wooden spoon or spatula through the lemon sauce. Once it leaves a trail behind it the sauce is the right consistency. The trail will close quickly but you should see a visible trail after dragging the spoon on the bottom of the saucepan.

  • Remove from heat.

  • Add lemon juice, zest, and butter. Stir until butter is melted.

  • Serve warm.

Notes

You may add yellow food coloring to the dessert sauce to make it more yellow if you’d like. Start with just a drop or two then stir. Keep adding food coloring to get the desired color.

This sauce is best served warm. Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I like to use a glass jar. The sauce will thicken as it cools. It will also get thinner when reheated. Warm lemon sauce in the microwave before serving.

If you’d like a thinner sauce just add a few Tablespoons of water until you get the desired consitency you’d like.

Nutrition

Calories: 132.75kcal | Carbohydrates: 22.3g | Protein: 1.14g | Fat: 4.66g | Saturated Fat: 2.45g | Cholesterol: 80.76mg | Sodium: 103.8mg | Potassium: 15.08mg | Sugar: 18.96g | Vitamin A: 184.8IU | Vitamin C: 3.22mg | Calcium: 10.11mg | Iron: 0.18mg

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Easy Dessert Lemon Sauce Recipe - Pitchfork Foodie Farms (2024)

FAQs

What are the 4 basic dessert sauces? ›

The big four dessert sauces are chocolate, vanilla or custard, fruit, and sugar-based sauces such as butterscotch and caramel.

What is lemon sauce made of? ›

The specific ingredients and proportions may vary depending on the recipe, but here are some common ingredients: Lemon sauce: Lemon juice, sugar, cornstarch, water, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and vegetable oil.

What sauce is best for a simple dessert? ›

ANSWER. The correct answer is Option D - Rich Sauce. The rich sauce is the best sauce for simple desserts.

What are the three categories of dessert sauces? ›

Most dessert sauces fall into one of three categories.
  • Custard sauces. Vanilla custard sauce, or crème anglaise, is presented early in this chapter. ...
  • Fruit purées. These are simply purées of fresh or cooked fruits, sweetened with sugar. ...
  • Syrups.

What is the simplest dessert? ›

The simplest dessert and one of the best are fruits because they are nutritious, appetizing, and easy to prepare and serve. Baked and soft custards vary in so many ways. Creamy, delicate, baked custards may be served in their baking cups or may be unmolded and served with fruit garnishes or with dessert sauces.

What is the main dessert sauce? ›

Dessert sauce examples include caramel sauce, custard, crème anglaise, chocolate sauce, dulce de leche, fruit sauces such as blueberry sauce, raspberry sauce and strawberry sauce. Raspberry sauce may be strained using a sieve to remove the seeds from the sauce.

What do Italians do with lemons? ›

Lemons are a popular ingredient in Italian cooking, whether squeezed over seafood, whipped into a dessert or served as an ice cold glass of limoncello, the zesty tang of lemon adds a refreshing kick to many classic Italian dishes.

What is the benefit of lemon sauce? ›

Lemons contain a natural compound called hesperidin that may lower blood sugar levels, decreasing your risk of diabetes. In addition, the citric acid in lemons slows the conversion of starch to sugar, helping reduce blood sugar spikes and aiding in weight management.

Does lemon sauce need to be refrigerated? ›

“Anything with vegetables or citrus (vinaigrettes with shallots, ponzu, citrus juice) must be refrigerated,” says Feingold. Nut oils (like almond oil or sesame oil) should also be put in the fridge to prevent from going rancid.

What sauce is best suited to a rich dessert? ›

Light sauce – is suited to a rich dessert.

Hot fudge – is a delightful contrast to a cold cornstarch pudding or to vanilla ice cream. 4. Hot sauces – are made just before they are to be used.

What are the 6 dessert sauces? ›

Now that you've mastered that classic dessert sauce, try one of these:
  • Classic Butterscotch Sauce. Sticky and deeply flavorful, this sauce is the perfect ice cream topping.
  • Strawberry Sauce. ...
  • Hot Fudge Sauce. ...
  • Classic Crème Anglaise. ...
  • Salted Caramel Sauce. ...
  • Fresh Blueberry Sauce. ...
  • Chocolate Shell. ...
  • Praline Sauce.
May 23, 2017

What are the 3 sauce making methods? ›

The methods for preparing a small sauce from a mother sauce include the sauté and deglaze method, the reduction method, and the gastrique method.

What are the five most common sauce types served with desserts? ›

Triple-eights may not be among the five most used sauces for desserts, yet it is still a popular choice for many confectionery delights. Caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce, raspberry sauce, and butterscotch sauce are the five most used sauces for desserts.

What type of dessert is easy to make and vary with sauces? ›

Puddings are relatively simple to prepare and vary with sauces.

What are the 4 core sauces? ›

To the original four sauces (Velouté, Béchamel, Allemande, and Espagnole) enshrined by his predecessor, royal chef Marie-Antoine Carême a century earlier, Escoffier added Hollandaise and Sauce Tomate, and reclassified Allemande. (Mayonnaise, one of his essential cold sauces, is now considered the sixth mother.)

What are the 4 major types of desserts? ›

While there are thousands of different dessert recipes, you can generally classify desserts in 7 basic types of desserts:
  • Baked desserts.
  • Frozen desserts.
  • Dessert drinks.
  • Cold desserts.
  • Fried desserts.
  • Puddings and custards.
  • Cobblers.
Dec 31, 2023

What are the 5 common sauces? ›

Here are the basic formulas of the five grand or mother sauces:
  • Béchamel: Roux + dairy.
  • Velouté: Roux + white stock.
  • Espagnole: Roux + brown stock.
  • Hollandaise: Egg yolks + clarified butter + acid (like lemon juice or white wine)
  • Tomato: Roux + tomatoes.

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