Raspberry Compote is quick and simple to make using just 3 ingredients and less than 15 minutes of your time!!
Bursting with sweet, tangy flavor, this is the perfect sauce to drizzle on cake, ice cream or yoghurt!!

Table of Contents
Why you'll love this recipe
This Raspberry Compote is seriously one of the easiest things you can make that tastes super amazing!
With just 3 ingredients, you'll have a compote that has so many uses. From dolloping onto these mini pancakes or cute heart shaped waffles in the morning to drizzling on a flourless Torta Caprese after dinner, this raspberry compote recipe is super versatile!
Compote is easily made with fresh, frozen or dried fruit in just minutes. Not as sweet as jam or jelly, the beauty of this compote is that the flavor of the fruit shines through!
For complete ingredient quantities and full instructions, please scroll to the printable recipe card bottom of the page.
Ingredient notes
This is what you'll need for the easy recipe.
- raspberries
- white sugar
- lemon juice
Variations
Try a these substitutions or additions to make this raspberry compote your own.
- use raw or brown sugar instead of white for a slight hint of richness
- substitute honey or maple syrup for the sugar
- add finely grated orange zest
- or finely grated lemon zest
- a splash of Cointreau or Grand Marnier for an adult version
Instructions
- Combine raspberries, sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan.
- Place over a medium low heat, stirring until the mixture comes to a simmer. Simmer for 6-8 minutes or until the fruit softens and the liquid reduces slightly.
Tips for success and FAQ's
It is important to start heating the raspberry mixture gently and stir regularly especially at the beginning, so the fruit and sugar doesn't burn. Once the juices are released and the mixture becomes more liquid, this isn't as essential.
Taste the raspberries before beginning this raspberry compote recipe. I find raspberries from the supermarket as tart whereas farm fresh raspberries are sweeter. If your raspberries are sweet, start with half the sugar, taste after simmering and adjust sugar to your taste.
No, there isn't enough sugar to preserve this compote.
Yes, freeze for up to a month in a heavy duty ziplock bag.
The syrup thickens on cooling. But for a thicker compote, mix ½ teaspoon of cornstarch (cornflour) with 1 teaspoon of water and add this mixture (while stirring) at the end of cooking. It will thicken straight away.
More recipe like this
Blueberry Compote
Dried Fruit Compote
Cherry Sauce
Strawberry Coulis
Lemon Curd
Raspberry Torte
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Recipe
Raspberry Compote Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 grams) raspberries fresh or frozen
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine raspberries, sugar and lemon juice in a saucepan.
- Place over medium low heat and bring to a simmer, stirring regularly.
- Simmer for 8-10 minutes or until the raspberries soften and the liquid reduces slightly.
- Serve warm or refrigerate before serving.
Notes
Nutritional Estimate Per Serving
Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For accurate results, it is recommended that the nutritional information be calculated based on the ingredients and brands you use.
Anna
Hi! I’m excited to try this recipe but I only have frozen raspberries. Do I need to defrost them first?
Marcellina
Ciao Anna! No, just use them from frozen. The compote may be more liquid which is fine depending on how you want to use it. If you'd like to thicken it, mix 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water. Stir it into the compote and simmer until thicker.
Anna
Just wanted to say thanks a bunch for that helpful tip! I gave both frozen and fresh compote a shot, and they both worked out, but gotta admit, the fresh ones ended up tasting even better. Really appreciate your advice!
Marcellina
You're welcome, Anna! Yes, I agree - fresh is always best. However I like having an option when fresh isn't available.
Olivia
Do you have any easy suggestions/advice on how to prepare this amazing sauce as a seedless compote..?
Marcellina
Hi Olivia. The only way to make this seedless is to pass the finished compote through a sieve.
Pauline
I must add this to my dessert repertoire Marcellina. The compote would be delicious with all kinds of sweet dishes,I like that you can freeze it for a month. Great idea, thanks.
Marcellina
You're welcome, Pauline!
Alia
This was PERFECT! Used cornstarch. This made my cheesecake look beautiful. thank you!
Brittany Fiero
Great recipe! I’m definitely saving this for summertime when I pick fresh berries. Your tips are helpful!
Marcellina
This compote will be even more amazing with sweet, freshly picked berries!
Linda
This compote is good but too tart for me. I add twice as much sugar. I also added a little cornstarch to thicken. Was very easy and delicious!
Marcellina
Hi Linda, yes, as I said above, the amount of sugar always depends on the raspberries. If they are tart you'll need more sugar. Sweet raspberries need very little sugar. I'm glad you took my suggestion of adding a little cornstarch to thicken. It makes such a lovely glossy sauce. Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Cheyanne
If I add the corn starch will it thicken enough to be used for a filling in between cake layers?
Marcellina
Cheyanne, you can but it will still be rather oozy. For a cake filling, use double or triple the amount of cornstarch. Also cool it completely in the fridge before using it. Hope that helps xx
angiesrecipes
So fresh and tasty...This is GREAT for some pancakes!