how to make blueberry syrup From Scratch:You’re craving pancakes but want to up your topping game. Forget the boring maple syrup and make your own delicious blueberry syrup that’ll wow your tastebuds. It’s easier than you think with just a few simple ingredients you likely have on hand.
In 100 sweet words, we’ll walk through how to make this fruity syrup from scratch. Your pancakes, waffles, ice cream, and more are begging for this sweet homemade topping that you can feel good about with no artificial anything. So grab some fresh or frozen berries and let’s get cooking up the best syrup ever to drown your breakfast in.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Blueberry Syrup
To make delicious homemade blueberry syrup, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients:
- Fresh blueberries – 2 to 3 cups is a good amount. Choose ripe, juicy berries for the best flavor.
- Sugar – Use 1 cup of sugar for every 2 cups of berries. White or brown sugar works well. You can use more or less depending on your sweetness preference.
- Water – About 1 cup of water is needed to help dissolve the sugar and extract the juices from the fruit.
- Lemon juice – Add the juice of 1/2 a lemon. The acidity helps balance the sweetness and brings out the blueberry flavor.
- Spices (optional) – For extra flavor complexity, try adding a cinnamon stick, vanilla bean, a few cloves, or a star anise pod while simmering.
You’ll also need:
- A saucepan – Use a medium or large pan to give room for the berries to bubble. Stainless steel or enameled cast iron work well.
- A fine mesh strainer – To separate the finished syrup from the fruit pulp and skin once cooked.
- Glass jars – Clean jars to store your blueberry syrup once it has cooled. Mason jars or old jam jars work perfectly.
And that’s it! With these few basic kitchen staples you can whip up a batch of beautiful magenta-hued syrup bursting with sweet tangy blueberry goodness. Adjust the ingredient quantities to make small or large batches to enjoy all season long.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Blueberry Syrup
Making delicious homemade blueberry syrup is easier than you think! All you need is four ingredients, a saucepan, a mesh strainer, and a spoon, and you can whip up a batch in under 30 minutes. Follow this step-by-step guide to enjoy golden blueberry syrup on pancakes, waffles, desserts, or straight off the spoon!
Gather Ingredients and Equipment
First, gather the following:
- 2 cups fresh blueberries (or frozen, thawed)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
In addition, you’ll need a medium saucepan, mesh strainer, spoon, and airtight containers like jars or bottles for storage.
Cook the Blueberry Mixture
Next, place the blueberries, water, and sugar into the saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, crushing berries lightly with the spoon, until thickened and reduced by half.
Strain Out the Seeds and Skins
Now set the mesh strainer over a heatproof bowl or measuring cup. Carefully pour the hot blueberry mixture through the strainer, using the back of the spoon to push it through and extract as much liquid as possible while leaving seeds and skins behind. Discard solids.
Add Lemon Juice and Cool
Stir the lemon juice into the strained syrup and let cool to room temperature. Pour into airtight jars or bottles and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
Use on Pancakes, Waffles and More!
Drizzle your fresh blueberry syrup over pancakes, waffles, yogurt, oatmeal, ice cream, cheesecake and more! Enjoy your homemade treat.
Tips for Getting the Right Blueberry Syrup Consistency
Getting the right consistency for your homemade blueberry syrup can take some trial and error. Here are some helpful tips:
- Use very ripe blueberries. Riper berries contain more pectin which helps thicken the syrup. Underripe ones can result in a thin, runny syrup.
- Add lemon juice. The acidity helps release pectin from the blueberries to bind the syrup. Use 1-2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice per 3 cups of blueberries.
- Let it reduce. Allowing the berry puree and sugar mixture to simmer longer evaporates more water, making it thicker. Watch closely near the end.
- Add tapioca starch or flour. About 1-2 teaspoons of either helps bind the syrup if it’s still too thin after cooking it down some. Mix it with water first.
- Chill it. The syrup will thicken slightly as it cools. Allow it to cool completely before bottling. Store chilled.
- Use a candy thermometer. Cook until it reaches 220°F for a nice pourable consistency or go up to 230°F if you want a thicker, spoonable syrup.
The finished syrup texture can vary from a thin, pancake style to a thick, maple-like product. Tweak these tips to customize it to your preference! Sample the syrup along the way on a spoon so you can get it just how you like. Then enjoy your homemade treat on everything from waffles to yogurt to ice cream!
Read more:Hello Fresh Cream Sauce Base 101: Tips and Tricks
Creative Ways to Use Your Homemade Blueberry Syrup
Homemade blueberry syrup is a versatile condiment that adds a burst of sweet and tangy berry flavor to many dishes. Here are a few delicious ideas for how to use yours:
- Pancakes, waffles, and French toast – Pour your syrup over a stack of hot pancakes or waffles for a classic sweet treat. The blueberry flavor is a perfect pairing with warm fluffy breakfast foods.
- Yogurt parfaits – Layer your syrup over yogurt, fruit, and granola for a quick and healthy breakfast, snack, or dessert. The thick and creamy yogurt complements the syrup well and adds protein.
- Oatmeal – Stir a few spoonfuls of blueberry syrup into a bowl of oatmeal to make it more flavorful and exciting. The syrup also makes it sweeter, so you may need less additional sugar or sweetener.
- Smoothies – Add a splash of blueberry syrup into your favorite smoothie recipe for an extra burst of sweet, tangy berry flavor. It goes great with other fruits like bananas, strawberries, mangoes and more.
- Baking – Use blueberry syrup instead of regular sugar or sweeteners in baked goods like muffins, scones, breads and more. It infuses the berry flavor into whatever you’re making.
- Cocktails and mocktails – Mix your syrup into an adult beverage like lemonade, sangria or a blueberry mojito for a fun twist. Kids will also love it stirred into sparkling water or juice.
- Ice cream and milkshakes – Drizzle your syrup over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or blend it into a berry milkshake for an extra flavor boost.
The possibilities are truly endless – get creative and have fun experimenting with different ways to enjoy your homemade blueberry syrup!
How to Store Homemade Blueberry Syrup to Maximize Freshness
So you’ve made your delicious blueberry syrup from scratch. Great job! Now you need to properly store it so it stays fresh as long as possible. Here’s how:
- Let it cool completely first. Don’t put hot syrup into a storage container as this can increase the rate it spoils. Allow the blueberry syrup to cool to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator before storage.
- Store in airtight glass jars or bottles. Look for containers that have tight sealing lids. Mason jars or recycled glass condiment bottles work perfectly. Make sure your containers are super clean and dry before filling.
- Refrigerate for up to one month. The fridge will help extend the shelf life. Find an open shelf towards the front rather than the back where the temp fluctuates more. If you see mold, toss it!
- Label the jars with the date. Include when you made the syrup so you know when the month is up. Mark your calendar to use it up or remind yourself to toss old syrup. Oldest in, first out!
- Freeze for long term storage. Your homemade syrup will keep for 6 months in the freezer. Make sure to leave headspace of 1/2 inch at the top as liquids expand. Thaw in the refrigerator before using again.
- Prevent exposure to light and air. Both light and excess oxygen can accelerate spoilage and color changes. Make sure lids are sealed tight and store containers in a cool, dark place like the fridge.
Following proper storage methods for your homemade fruit syrups ensures you get to keep enjoying their scrumptious sweetness as they maintain peak quality and fresh flavor. Be diligent against mold, label with dates, and freeze for long term stash.
how to make blueberry syrup From Scratch
FAQ
What is the best type of blueberries to use?
For blueberry syrup, wild blueberries are ideal because they are small and packed with flavor. But cultivated blueberries like highbush also work well and are easier to find. Fresh or frozen berries both make tasty syrup.
Can I use artificial sweeteners?
You can substitute sugar alternatives like stevia or monk fruit, but the flavor will be different. For best results, use regular white granulated sugar. The amount balances the tart blueberries.
How long does blueberry syrup last?
Properly stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator, homemade blueberry syrup keeps for 2 to 3 weeks. For longer shelf life up to 6 months, pour the finished syrup into sterilized jars and process them for canning.
What are some uses for blueberry syrup?
- Pancake and waffle topper
- Mix into yogurt, oatmeal, or cottage cheese
- Swirl into ice cream, milkshakes, or smoothies
- Sweetener for tea or cocktails
- Glaze for cakes and muffins
- Topping for cheesecake or pound cake
The possibilities are endless! Try using it anywhere you want a boost of sweet, jammy blueberry flavor.
Conclusion
So there you have it – making your own blueberry syrup from scratch is actually pretty easy! It takes some time to cook down the berries into that delicious thickened mixture, but the homemade flavor is so worth it.
Once you have a batch ready to go, get creative pouring it over pancakes, waffles, yogurt, ice cream, or even mixing it into a lemonade. The sweet fruity notes make it incredibly versatile for whatever you’re craving. Give this recipe a try and you’ll never buy syrup from the store again! Let your friends know how you made it yourself – they’ll be impressed with your DIY kitchen skills.
