Gather all your ingredients before starting. This is what chefs call "mise en place" and it makes the cooking process much smoother. Finely mince the red bell pepper into tiny pieces - they should be small enough to distribute throughout the sauce but large enough to be visible for that authentic look.

In your medium saucepan, add raspberry preserves, ketchup, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly before applying heat.

Add the finely minced red bell pepper to the mixture. These pepper pieces are key to recreating the authentic look and texture of Arby's sauce.

Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Once it begins to bubble slightly, reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently with your wooden spoon to prevent sticking or burning. The sauce will gradually thicken and the flavors will meld together beautifully.

If you prefer a thicker sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water in a small bowl until smooth. Slowly whisk this slurry into your simmering sauce and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until it reaches your desired thickness.

This is where you personalize your sauce. Give it a taste (be careful, it's hot!) and adjust the seasonings as needed. Want it sweeter? Add a bit more preserves. Need more heat? Add a dash more cayenne or hot sauce. Remember, it's easier to add more seasoning than to dilute it.

Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool completely to room temperature. As it cools, it will continue to thicken slightly. Once cooled, transfer to clean glass jars with tight-fitting lids.