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Flavorful Rhubarb Sauce Recipe for Ice Cream with Vanilla Bean and Orange Zest

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A vibrant, tangy-sweet rhubarb sauce infused with real vanilla bean and fresh orange zest, perfect for topping vanilla ice cream or enhancing pancakes, yogurt, and more.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups chopped rhubarb stalks (about 450 grams or 1 pound)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 grams)
  • 1 whole vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped (or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract)
  • Zest of 1 medium orange
  • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (80 ml)
  • 1/4 cup water (60 ml)
  • 1–2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse about 4 cups (450 g) of rhubarb stalks under cold water, then chop into roughly 1/2-inch (1.25 cm) pieces. Trim off any tough ends.
  2. Using a sharp knife, split the vanilla bean pod lengthwise and scrape out the tiny black seeds. Set seeds and pod aside.
  3. Zest one medium orange using a microplane, avoiding the white pith. Juice the orange to collect about 1/3 cup (80 ml) of fresh juice.
  4. In a medium saucepan, combine chopped rhubarb, granulated sugar, orange zest, orange juice, water, vanilla seeds, and the scraped vanilla pod. Stir gently to combine.
  5. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 10-12 minutes until rhubarb is soft and sauce thickens slightly.
  6. If desired, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup to adjust sweetness. Taste and adjust as needed.
  7. Remove and discard the vanilla bean pod once the sauce has thickened to coat the back of a spoon.
  8. Transfer the sauce to a heatproof container and let cool to room temperature. The sauce will thicken more as it cools. Serve warm or chilled.

Notes

If sauce is too thick after cooling, stir in a tablespoon of water to loosen. For a smoother sauce, blend or press through a sieve. Use frozen rhubarb to reduce cooking time slightly. Store in airtight container in fridge up to one week. Warm gently to reheat.

Nutrition

Keywords: rhubarb sauce, vanilla bean, orange zest, dessert topping, ice cream sauce, easy rhubarb recipe, spring sauce, fruit compote

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/flavorful-rhubarb-sauce-recipe-for-ice-cream-with-vanilla-bean-and-orange-zest/