There’s something magical about the moment a warm, homemade blackberry sundae topping meets a scoop of cold, creamy vanilla ice cream. The colors swirl together, the flavors dance, and suddenly—summer feels like it’s back again!

In our family, we call this “the happy topping” because it turns even an ordinary Tuesday night into a celebration. Whether you pour it over ice cream, drizzle it on pancakes, or sneak a spoonful straight from the jar (I see you!), this Blackberry Sundae Topping is pure joy in a jar.

The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make—and has less sugar than most jams or syrups. That means the fresh, tangy-sweet flavor of the blackberries really shines through.

🍇 Blackberry Sundae Topping Recipe

Yields: About 4 half-pint jars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30–45 minutes
Total Time: ~1 hour

Ingredients

• 8 cups blackberries (mashed)
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla (optional, but lovely for warmth)
• 1/2 teaspoon butter (optional, helps reduce foam)

Directions

1. In a large pot, combine mashed blackberries, sugar, and butter (if using).
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until it thickens to your liking. (Remember, it will continue to thicken as it cools!)
3. Stir in the vanilla if you’re using it.
4. Ladle the hot topping into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4-inch of headspace.
5. Remove air bubbles, wipe rims clean, and secure lids fingertip-tight.
6. Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjust time if you live at higher altitudes).
7. Turn off heat, remove the canner lid, and let the jars rest 5 minutes before carefully removing them.
8. Allow the jars to cool for 24 hours on a towel-lined surface.
9. Check seals, label, and store in a cool, dark pantry.

(If a jar doesn’t seal, no worries—just refrigerate it and enjoy within 3 weeks!)

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🍨 Ways to Enjoy It!

This topping is a superstar in the kitchen. Here are a few of our favorite ways to use it:

• Swirled into vanilla ice cream (classic!)
• Drizzled over waffles, pancakes, or French toast
• Spooned over cheesecake or pound cake
• Mixed into yogurt for a fruity breakfast
• Or… just straight off the spoon. (We won’t tell!)

💜 A Little Family Tip

If you’ve got kids at home, let them help mash the berries before cooking. There’s something about getting purple-stained fingers that makes them so proud of the finished product. Plus, they’ll be first in line for ice cream when it’s ready to taste-test!

Homemade canned goodies like this one fill your kitchen with warmth—and your shelves with sunshine. So go ahead, make a batch of this Blackberry Sundae Topping, and savor that sweet, simple joy all year long.

Check out all of my delicious canning recipes!