This quick mixed berry compote is a vibrant and nutritious addition to your breakfast and desserts. It is bursting with flavors of berries and added spices. All without refined sugar!
My go-to breakfast during the warmer seasons always involves some berries. Paired with yogurt and my homemade healthy almond granola. To have a quick and nourishing treat ready every morning, I turn fresh berries into this delicious and refined sugar-free berry compote.
Whether you spoon it over a creamy bowl of yogurt, drizzle it on pancakes, or use it as a fruity topping for this peanut butter nice cream, this quick mixed berry compote will elevate any sweet dish.
For more fruity toppings, try this healthy plum compote and this cinnamon oatmeal with apple compote.
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What is berry compote?
Berry compote is a versatile and flavorful fruit sauce made by gently simmering a combination of berries with a sweetener and sometimes additional flavorings. The fruits used in a berry compote vary but commonly include strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
To make the compote, the berries are combined with a sweetener and often different spices. The mixture is then heated on the stove, allowing the berries to release their juices and the flavors to meld together. The compote can be left chunky for a more textured sauce or blended for a smoother consistency.
This easy berry compote is delicious in summer. But it can also be made in other seasons with different fruits. My version comes with heavenly spices making this a mouthwatering treat. The best part? When you make this mixed berry compote, the kitchen smells so good.
Ingredient notes
- Berries – Choose fresh, ripe berries for the best flavor and texture. You can use frozen berries as well and adjust the cooking time.
- Vanilla – You can also use pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean powder as a substitute for the vanilla bean.
- Agave syrup – Adjust the amount according to your preference for sweetness.
- Cardamom – Cardamom adds a warm and fragrant note to the compote. You can use ground cardamom or crush whole cardamom pods to release the flavorful seeds.
Tips & substitutions
- Adjust the sweetener – Feel free to adjust the amount of sweetener used in the compote according to your taste preferences. You can use other sweeteners like honey or maple syrup if desired.
- Make it sugar-free – If you want to avoid sugar altogether, you can omit the sweetener and rely on the natural sweetness of the berries. However, keep in mind that the compote may be slightly tart.
- Use a variety of berries – Experiment with different combinations of berries to create a unique flavor. Apart from raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries, you can also incorporate blackberries, cranberries, or any other berries you like.
- Spice it up – Besides cardamom, you can add other spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to add depth and complexity to the compote.
- Thicken with chia seeds – If you prefer a thicker compote, add chia seeds. Chia seeds absorb the liquid and create a gel-like consistency, providing a natural thickening agent. Add a tablespoon or two of chia seeds and let the compote sit for about 15 minutes.
- Texture preference – If you want a smoother compote, you can blend the mixture after cooking to achieve a puree-like consistency.
How to make a quick mixed berry compote
Step 1: Rinse the mixed berries under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Cut the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape it out with the knife.
Step 2: Remove the pit from the strawberries and cut bigger ones in half or quarter them.
Step 3: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the mixed berries, agave syrup, and cardamom. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Allow the berry compote to simmer for about 5 minutes or until the berries release their juices.
Step 5: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the compote cool for a few minutes. For a smoother compote, you can use a blender or food processor to puree the mixture until desired consistency.
Expert tip
Incorporate herbs, such as fresh mint or basil, when you cook the berries. The herb infusion adds an aromatic note that enhances their flavors. Mint offers a refreshing and cooling taste, while basil provides a slightly earthy undertone.
Uses for berry compote
This quick mixed berry compote can be used in various ways to add a burst of fruity goodness to your dishes. Here are some ideas:
- Sauce for desserts – Drizzle the compote over this almond dark chococlate nice cream, cheesecake, or panna cotta to elevate the flavors and add a pop of color.
- Swirl in smoothies – Blend the mixed berry compote into your favorite smoothie recipe to add flavor and natural sweetness. Or enhance this hot pink breakfast smoothie, or tropical mango banana smoothie even more by adding the berry compote.
- Spread for toast or sandwiches – Spread a layer of the compote on toast, bagels, or English muffins for a healthier alternative to traditional fruit spreads.
- Mix into parfaits or trifles – Layer the compote with granola, yogurt, and this almond granola in a parfait or trifle for a beautiful and flavorful breakfast or dessert. The combination of textures and flavors is delightful.
- Swirl in baked goods – Swirl the mixed berry compote into this grain-free orange cake bars or healthy banana nut muffins cake batter before baking to create deliciously fruity treats. It adds moisture and bursts of flavor throughout the baked goods.
Recipe FAQs
The difference between a berry coulis and a compote lies in its texture, consistency, and preparation method.
Berry coulis
A coulis is a smooth, thin sauce made from puréed fruits, typically berries. It has a silky consistency, similar to syrup or sauce. The coulis is usually strained to remove seeds or fibrous bits, resulting in a smooth texture. It is often used as a sauce or drizzled over desserts, such as cakes, pastries, or ice cream.
Berry compote
In contrast, a compote is a chunky, cooked fruit mixture. It is made by gently simmering fruits with a sweetener and sometimes other flavorings. Compote retains the texture of the fruits, with softened pieces of fruit still intact. It has a thicker, spoonable consistency with a syrup-like sauce. The chunky sauce can be eaten as a fruit topping for breakfast foods like pancakes, waffles, or yogurt. It can also be used as a filling for pastries, incorporated into baked goods, or served alongside desserts.
You can use any fruit to make this delicious and healthy compote. Try cherries, peaches, apricots, apples, pears, and more to make this recipe when these fruits are in season.
Remember to adjust the cooking time and sweetness level based on the fruits. Some fruits require a longer cooking time to soften. Others may be sweeter or more acidic, affecting the overall taste of the compote.
Frozen berries are convenient and accessible, especially when fresh berries are out of season. They work well in compote recipes and can still yield delicious results.
Fresh compote can be stored in the fridge for 5 to 7 days. However, the exact shelf life can vary depending on the freshness of the berries, the sugar content, and the storage conditions.
Let the compote cool completely at room temperature before transferring it to a storage container. This helps prevent condensation from forming inside the container, which can contribute to spoilage.
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📖 Recipe
Quick Mixed Berry Compote
Ingredients
- 100 g strawberries ½ cup
- 100 g raspberries ¾ cup
- 100 g blueberries ½ cup
- 1 vanilla bean
- 1 tablespoon agave syrup
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
Instructions
- Rinse the mixed berries under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Cut the vanilla bean lenghtwise and scrape it out with a knife. Remove the pit from the strawberries and cut bigger ones in half or quarter them.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the mixed berries, agave syrup, and cardamom. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Allow the compote to simmer for about 5 minutes or until they release their juices.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the compote cool for a few minutes. For a smoother compote, you can use a blender or food processor to puree the mixture until desired consistency.
- Serve the mixed berry compote on top of yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, waffles, or as a topping for desserts. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make it sugar-free – If you want to avoid sugar altogether, you can omit the sweetener and rely on the natural sweetness of the berries. However, keep in mind that the compote may be slightly tart.
- Spice it up – Besides cardamom, you can add other spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to add depth and complexity to the compote.
- Thicken with chia seeds – If you prefer a thicker compote, add chia seeds. Chia seeds absorb the liquid and create a gel-like consistency, providing a natural thickening agent. Add a tablespoon or two of chia seeds and let the compote sit for about 15 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only calculated with the recipe calorie and nutrition calculator provided by verywellfit.com. The author of this website is not a nutritionist nor a doctor. All nutritional data provided in the recipes and correspondent blog posts are for informational purposes only. Do not use the information as nutritional or medical advice.
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