Authentic Murray’s Vanilla Sauce | Pour It On Everything

This sauce refuses to stay on just one dessert.

Originally crafted for Murray’s legendary Steamed Fruit Pudding, this silky vanilla sauce has escaped its original purpose entirely. Drizzle it over chocolate fondant, warm fruit cake, or straight onto ice cream with a splash of spiced rum. Some recipes know their place. This one doesn’t — and that’s exactly why you need it.

Jon Simon

Vanilla Sauce for Murray’s Steamed Fruit Pudding

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Also known as Custard Sauce, this sauce is best served warm over warmed pudding

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: English Canadian

Calories: 110

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x?

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter salted or margarine may be substituted
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 1/2 cups Hot Milk

Equipment

• Saucepan
• Medium bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring Cup

Method

 

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Blend in flour, stirring constantly until bubbly. Add enough hot milk to form a paste. 
3. Gradually stir in the remaining milk, stirring constantly until smooth and thickened. Add sugar and stir until dissolved.  
4. Place egg yolk in a bowl and stir in about ¼ of the hot mixture; avoid cooking the yolk and whisk constantly until smooth.  
5. Return the egg-yolk mixture to a saucepan and whisk over low heat until thickened.  
6. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Let cool slightly. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2tbspCalories: 110kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3.5gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 30mgPotassium: 50mgSugar: 11gCalcium: 60mgIron: 0.2mg

Notes

To reheat the vanilla sauce, follow these simple steps to ensure it stays smooth and creamy:

1. Stovetop Method (Recommended):
   • Pour the sauce into a small saucepan.
   • Heat over low to medium-low heat, stirring constantly to prevent curdling or sticking.
   • Warm it until it reaches your desired temperature (do not let it boil).
   • Remove from heat and serve immediately.
2. Microwave Method (Quick Option):
   • Pour the sauce into a microwave-safe bowl.
   • Heat on medium power (50%) in 15-second intervals, stirring well between each interval.
   • Repeat until the sauce is warm. Avoid overheating to prevent curdling.
3. Double Boiler Method (Gentlest Option):
   • Place the sauce in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water).
   • Stir continuously until warmed through.
   • This method provides even heat distribution, preventing scorching or curdling.

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Tips:

• If the sauce has thickened too much during storage, add a splash of hot milk or cream while reheating and stir until smooth.
• Store any unused sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

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The Murray’s Connection: Where It All Began

This vanilla sauce holds a special place in Canadian culinary history. It was designed specifically to complement Murray’s Steamed Fruit Pudding — a pairing that graced tables from Thanksgiving through Mother’s Day at Murray’s restaurants across Canada.

The combination is nothing short of magical: warm, spongy pudding soaked with fruit meets silky vanilla cream. It’s the kind of pairing that whispers about family gatherings and festive celebrations — comfort food elevated to something worth remembering.

When the last Murray’s closed in 2009, recipes like this one survived through dedicated home cooks who refused to let the flavors disappear. Now you can recreate that restaurant experience in your own kitchen, any time you want.

Beyond the Pudding: A Sauce with Serious Versatility

The Chocolate Lover’s Dream

Picture this: a warm chocolate fondant, its center still molten, meeting a river of vanilla sauce. The contrast is poetry in motion—rich, bitter chocolate dancing with sweet, creamy vanilla. It’s the kind of combination that makes dessert lovers weak at the knees.

Fresh Fruit’s Best Friend

Toss together a vibrant fruit salad, and this sauce becomes the peacemaker between tart berries and sweet stone fruits. The sauce’s sweetness complements the fruit’s natural acidity beautifully, creating a harmony that’s both refreshing and indulgent.

Classic Cake’s Secret Weapon

A simple sponge cake might seem ordinary until this vanilla sauce comes into play. Suddenly, that humble cake transforms into something extraordinary—moisture, richness, and depth of flavor that’ll have your guests asking for seconds (and thirds, let’s be real).

Creative Flavor Adventures

Spice Things Up

Winter calling? Add a whisper of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to warm up your sauce. These spices don’t just add flavor—they create an aromatic experience that fills your kitchen with cozy vibes.

The Flavor Twist Game

• Vanilla Extract Boost: Because sometimes vanilla needs more vanilla (controversial? Maybe. Delicious? Absolutely.)
• Almond Essence: A subtle hint that adds sophistication without showing off
• Sea Salt Magic: Just a pinch creates that sweet-salty contrast that makes taste buds sing

Advanced Sauce Experiments

Feeling adventurous? Try these Pinterest-worthy vanilla sauce variations:

• Orange Zest Infusion: Bright, citrusy notes that wake up any dessert
• Coffee Addition: For when your dessert needs a gentle caffeine hug
• Salted Caramel Transformation: Start with sugar and water, create caramel magic, then slowly whisk in cream, salt, and vanilla for ultimate luxury

Presentation That Impresses

A small serving jug isn’t just practical—it’s Instagram gold. Your guests can help themselves while you look effortlessly elegant. For special occasions, try drizzling the sauce in artistic patterns over layered trifles. The visual impact alone will have everyone reaching for their phones.

Real-World Testing Results

Let’s talk tried-and-true pairings that actually work:

• Bread Pudding: A match made in comfort food heaven
• Warm Fruit Cake: Adds moisture to dense, rich cake
• Baked Apples: Turns healthy into indulgent (in the best way)
• Mince Pies: Holiday magic in every spoonful
• Ice Cream: Add some spiced rum, and you’ve got an adult dessert worth celebrating

The Technical Stuff (Made Simple)

Perfect Consistency Tips

Think gentle simmer, not a rolling boil—your sauce prefers a spa day to a workout. Continuous stirring prevents lumps and ensures silky smoothness. Too thick? A splash of milk or cream works wonders.

Storage and Reheating Wisdom

This sauce keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to a week in an airtight container. When reheating, low and slow wins the race—try setting 4 for 25 seconds on a 1200-watt microwave.

Non-Dairy Alternatives

Absolutely doable! Almond milk, coconut cream, or your favorite plant-based milk work beautifully. The flavor profile shifts slightly, but delicious remains delicious.

Vanilla Sauce FAQs

Why This Vanilla Sauce Deserves a Permanent Spot in Your Kitchen

Here’s the truth: most dessert sauces are one-trick ponies. This vanilla sauce? It’s more like a Swiss Army knife of sweetness. Whether you’re elevating a simple dessert for Tuesday night or creating Instagram-worthy presentations for special occasions, this sauce adapts, impresses, and delivers every single time.

The beauty lies in its simplicity, paired with incredible depth of flavor. It transforms basic desserts into extraordinary experiences while maintaining that comforting, familiar taste that makes people feel at home.

While this sauce will always have a special connection to Murray’s Steamed Fruit Pudding, don’t let that stop you from exploring its full potential. After all, the best recipes are the ones that surprise us, adapt with us, and make every dessert feel like a celebration.

Final Thoughts

Most dessert sauces are one-trick ponies. This vanilla sauce is more like a Swiss Army knife of sweetness — it transforms basic desserts into extraordinary experiences while keeping that comforting, familiar taste that makes people feel at home.

Whether you’re pairing it with Murray’s Steamed Fruit Pudding for the authentic experience or discovering new combinations on your own, this sauce adapts, impresses, and delivers every single time.

Ready to make some sauce magic happen? Your desserts (and your guests) will thank you.

Editorial Note: This recipe accompanies Murray’s Steamed Fruit Pudding, a Canadian restaurant classic. We’ve tested it extensively and adapted it for modern home kitchens. Recipe testing and nutritional information are approximate.

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