One of my favorite things to make any time of the year is this quick and easy Mixed Berry Sauce.  This sauce is made from frozen fruit so you can make it year round and it comes together in just minutes on your stovetop!  This fruit sauce adds a fabulously sweet, fresh element to anything you serve it with.  It is the perfect sauce to top pancakes, waffles, crepes, ice cream, cheesecake, pound cake, shortcake, chocolate cake, oatmeal, yogurt, panna cotta, or we honestly even like it served alongside pork or chicken!

Now I like some little chunks of fruit in my sauce, so I use a potato masher to get the berries crushed but not smooth.  If you want your sauce smoother you can use an immersion blender or a regular blender.  (If you use a regular blender be sure to remove the little square from the center of the top and cover with a towel before blending if it’s warm.)  Also, if you want to strain out any seeds after blending, (I don’t), you can push the sauce through a fine mesh sieve.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups frozen mixed berries, (I like the triple berry mix of blueberries, blackberries and raspberries)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 2 Tbsp water

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan, combine the frozen mixed berries, sugar and water.  Bring to a rolling boil then reduce heat to medium high and let simmer for 4-5 minutes, watching it closely and stirring frequently so it doesn’t boil over.
2. Reduce the heat to medium and mash the mixture with a potato masher.
3. Add the lemon juice.
4. Mix the cornstarch with the water and stir that in over medium heat.
5. Let continue to cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens, then remove from heat and let cool.  Store the sauce in the refrigerator for up to two weeks in an airtight container, (I use a mason jar.)