This easy small batch mulberry compote comes together in 20 minutes or less with just 5 ingredients! It lets the flavor of the delicate mulberries shine through with just a touch of warm spice. I love enjoying it with yogurt for an easy breakfast or snack but it’s also delicious over warm pancakes.
Mulberry season can sometimes be a blink-and-you-might-miss-it affair. The wildlife always seems to beat me to it! Mulberries are delicate fruits, which is why you often don’t see them at stores or markets. I was lucky to find myself with a couple of cups after a rainy day harvest and decided to whip up this super easy mulberry compote. The flavor of the mulberries shines through with a touch of cozy spice thanks to the cinnamon and nutmeg.
Why You’ll Like this Mulberry Recipe
- It’s the perfect way to take advantage of a small harvest of mulberries.
- It’s ready in less than 20 minutes with only 5 ingredients.
- It elevates yogurt, pancakes, oatmeal, ice cream, and pretty much anything else you put it on!
- It lets the delicate flavor of the mulberries shine through with just a touch of cozy spice.
Notes on Ingredients and Substitutions
MULBERRIES — if you can’t find fresh mulberries, feel free to use an equal amount of frozen ones. Or, use this recipe to make a small batch of compote with any of your favorite berries, whether they’re foraged or purchased from the store or market.
CINNAMON & NUTMEG — I love adding a small amount of each spice because it lends such a warm and cozy flavor to the compote. You can always omit these if you like or use any other warming spices such as ginger or cardamom.
For tips on picking mulberries, head over to this hibiscus mulberry fizz recipe!
Tips for Making Mulberry Compote
I developed this recipe to be incredibly simple so you aren’t faffing around in the kitchen like you would be making a jam. Instead, you’ll simply add everything to your pot or pan, then allow it to cook until the berries have broken down and the juices have started to thicken. This takes around 10-15 minutes total. If you notice that your berries aren’t breaking down, you can always smash them with the back of your spoon or a potato masher. You’ll know when the juices have thickened when you drag your spoon along the bottom of the pan and the juices don’t immediately fill back in the trail that is left in its wake. The wider your pan is, the quicker the compote will cook.
Ways to Enjoy Your Mulberry Compote
- Swirled into thick yogurt
- Dolloped onto ice cream
- Spooned over pancakes
- Slathered onto biscuits or scones (like these!)
Easy Small Batch Mulberry Compote
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: about 1/2 cup 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This easy small batch mulberry compote comes together in 20 minutes or less with just 5 ingredients! It lets the flavor of the delicate mulberries shine through with just a touch of warm spice.
Ingredients
- 2 cups mulberries, about 8 ounces by weight
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced
Instructions
Add the mulberries, granulated sugar, and spices to a pot or sauce pan. Add 1 teaspoon of the lemon zest and 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice. Set the pot over medium heat and stir a few times to mix everything together. Once the juices start simmering, allow the compote to cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes, until the berries have broken down and the juices have thickened. If you prefer, you can gently mash the berries as they cook with the back of a spoon or a potato masher to encourage them to break down.
Store the compote in a jar in the fridge and enjoy within a week.
Notes
- Frozen mulberries can be used in place of fresh ones. If you use frozen berries, the compote might take an additional 3-5 minutes to cook down.
- This recipe can also be made with wild raspberries, dewberries, and blueberries.
- To keep this easy, I leave the stems on the mulberries because it doesn’t bother me. If you have a textural issue, you can remove the stem from each berry before adding them to the pot/pan.
- You can easily multiply this recipe to match the amount of mulberries you have.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
- Category: sauce
