One Step Vanilla Sauce for #SundaySupper

How literally should I take the theme? It was what went through my mind when the Sunday Supper “No Labor” event was announced. One thing immediately popped in my head. Yet, as usual, I kept on thinking of other options. Should it be something with a few ingredients and steps? What may be easy for me could be a challenge for others. So I decided to go with my first thought and share one of the ultimate no labor recipes: One Step Vanilla Sauce.

One type of vanilla sauce is crème anglaise. It’s made with egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and cream. Guess what? It’s also the base of ice cream. Put crème anglaise in your ice cream maker, churn, and you have rich and creamy homemade vanilla bean ice cream. So what happens when that ice cream melts? It turns back into a marvelous vanilla sauce.

What’s the trick to it being one step? It starts with one ingredient. All you need is store-bought vanilla ice cream. However, not any one will do. First and most important is to check the label for the ingredients. Do not use it if it lists guar gum or any other stabilizers. Those will cause it to not have the right consistency. You want cream to be in the list or the resulting sauce will be watery.

Any other ingredients to consider? Vanilla bean versus flavoring. Vanilla bean will give the sauce those classic little dark specks (see bottom of the pitcher in my photos). Use vanilla bean if you want those specks and flavoring if you do not.

A few more notes on the sauce: There will be a layer of foam on top after the ice cream melts. You can skim it off, whisk it in, or simply leave it. The sauce can be heated slightly on the stove or in the microwave if you want to serve it warm. Be careful and do not let it boil because it could curdle. This sauce will be thin. You will need to make one from scratch if you want a thicker sauce. And finally, add a teaspoon of brandy or flavored liqueur for extra richness (really great over bread pudding).

Do you want more no labor recipes? Scroll down to find a list of ones by Sunday Supper tastemakers. Well, most have minimal labor involved and not quite as literal as mine. And yes, I’m actually including a recipe even though the method is melt. I figure if I’m going to post about it then I might was well go all out.

3.5 from 4 votes

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One Step Vanilla Sauce

You have to see how easy this one ingredient, one step vanilla sauce is to make. It's fantastic to pour over fruit, bread pudding, and many more desserts.

Course Sauce

Cuisine American

Prep Time 1 minute

Total Time 1 minute

Author Renee

Ingredients

• 14 ounces vanilla ice cream see note

Instructions

1. Melt

Recipe Notes

For best results use high quality or premium ice cream with only cream (and/or milk), sugar, eggs, and vanilla as ingredients. Do not use ice cream with guar gum or other stabilizers as ingredients.
You may need to stir or whisk the sauce after the ice cream melts or skim off any foam on top.

Do you want to entertain with minimal effort? Take a look at these recipes by Sunday Supper tastemakers. They may make your feast for a holiday or any occasion a breeze to prepare.

Savory Snacks and Sides:

• Acorn Squash, Black Bean and Spinach Quesadillas by Our Good Life
• Copy Cat: Momma’s Nachos by Sew You Think You Can Cook
• Cream Cheese and Peach Chutney Pastry Cups by Soni’s Food
• Easy Peasy Cole Slaw by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Fruit & Cheese Platter by The Freshman Cook
• Olive Tapenade by Whole Food | Real Families
• Semi-Homemade Baked Beans by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Smoked Salmon Spread with Sourdough Baguette by A Gouda Life

Labor Free Main Dishes:

• Ace of Clubs by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Easy and Tasty Filet Mignon on the Grill by Family Foodie
• Easy Baked Spaghetti for a Crowd by Lifestyle Food Artistry
• Greek Salad Endive Boats by Casa de Crews
• Grilled Butternut Squash, Zucchini and Steak with Chimichurri Sauce by Caroline’s Cooking
• Pesto Chicken with Fennel & Tomato Couscous by Books n’ Cooks
• Simple Cheese Enchiladas by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Simple Grilled Rosemary Shrimp by Nosh My Way
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Mustard Barbecue Sauce by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Slow Cooker Turkey Sloppy Joes by Food Done Light
• Spicy Thai Noodles by Momma’s Meals

Sweet Treats and Drinks:

• Apple Spice Dump Cake by Palatable Pastime
• Blender Chocolate Mousse by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles by What Smells So Good?
• Coconut Martini by Desserts Required
• Creamy Coconut Popsicles by Food Lust People Love
• Eiskaffee by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
• Healthy Grab’n’Go Breakfast Muffins by Happy Baking Days
• Mango Salad with Crystallized Ginger by MealDiva
• Mini Pavlovas by Curious Cuisiniere
• One Step Vanilla Sauce by Magnolia Days
• White Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle Bars by Pies and Plots

Labor Free Labor Day:

• 10 Store-Bought Cooking Shortcuts by Sunday Supper Movement

Join the #SundaySupper family on twitter every Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the conversation. To get more great Sunday Supper recipes, visit the Sunday Supper Movement website or check out our Sunday Supper Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.