Our Most Luscious Cherry Recipes
This ephemeral juicy fruit makes summer a whole lot sweeter. Delicious eaten on their own, cherries also shine in everything from pies and jams to savory appetizers and salads.
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This ephemeral juicy fruit makes summer a whole lot sweeter. Delicious eaten on their own, cherries also shine in everything from pies and jams to savory appetizers and salads.
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Cherry Basics
In Season: This stone fruit -- a relative of plums, peaches, and nectarines -- has a short season, appearing briefly in the produce aisle from June to August.
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What to Look For: Bings, Lamberts, and Sweethearts may be the most recognizable names, but don’t miss the rose-blushed yellow Rainiers, a delicate Northwest variety available in July. No matter the kind, look for firm, plump, and shiny cherries with bright green stems.
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How to Store: Store them, unwashed and with stems attached, in a bowl in the fridge for up to one week. (Wash right before eating, as water can cause the cherry to soften and split.)
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How to Prep: No cherry pitter? Get a little MacGyver: Remove the stem and place the cherry stem-end down over a standard round metal pastry tip. Press firmly, and out pops the pit. A chef’s knife works, too: Gently press down on the cherry with the side of the blade and remove the pit with your fingers.
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Cherry Cobbler
The biscuit topping on this classic cherry cobbler is extra rich and tender, thanks to the addition of heavy cream. If you're making the recipe after cherry season, feel free to use frozen.
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Not familiar with Robiola? It's a delicate, creamy Italian cheese that pairs beautifully with sweet cherries, toasted almonds, and fresh thyme in this recipe. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and serve with plenty of crusty bread.
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Baked Cherry Crisp
Store-bought phyllo dough is dressed up with cinnamon sugar, topped with cherries, and baked in this oh-so-simple dessert.
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Quality is key in this five-ingredient recipe, so splurge on the best heirloom and cherry tomatoes, Bing cherries, balsamic vinegar, and herbs (we used fresh anise-hyssop leaves and flowers) you can find.
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Coconut-Cherry Smoothie
You only need three ingredients -- frozen cherries, coconut water, and fresh lime juice -- to whip up this refreshing, not-too-sweet treat.
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Cherries baked with thyme make a spectacular topping for thick slices of toast slathered with fresh goat cheese.
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Sweet Cherry Vinegar
You get two delicious, versatile ingredients out of this recipe: cherry-flavored vinegar and pickled cherries.
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Fresh, juicy cherries amp up an otherwise ordinary grilled chicken salad. A shallot-red wine vinaigrette ties the flavors together beautifully.
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Cherry Gelee
Sour cherries give this gelee its eye-catching crimson hue. Streaks of vanilla cream offset the tartness of the fruit perfectly.
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Chocolate Cherry Cake
A splash of kirsch (cherry brandy) intensifies the flavor of the cherry topping for this decadent chocolate cake.
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Champagne and Cherries
Layer fresh cherries in champagne flutes with Amaretto and your favorite bubbly for a light, sophisticated summer cocktail.
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A crisp almond pastry crust is schmeared with creamy ricotta and topped with macerated cherries in this sensational summer dessert.
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Whole-Grain Strawberry-Cherry Crisp
Two of our favorite summer fruits come together under a crunchy oat-and-coconut topping in this better-for-you crisp.
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Dark Chocolate-Dipped Cherries
A batch of these when cherries are at their peak might be the ultimate summer hostess gift.
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Cherry Clafouti
Sweet cherries are the star of the classic French baked custard dessert known as clafouti.
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Toss fresh cherries with grappa, lemon zest and juice, fennel seeds, and pepper, then let the flavors mingle in the fridge. Serve with vanilla-scented mascarpone cream and homemade Lemon-Almond Biscotti.
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Sweet Cherry Pie
Bing cherries need little more than a homemade crust to shine in this summer pie -- just add a touch of sugar, cornstarch, and fresh lemon juice.
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No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake
Balsamic vinegar and cinnamon add a tangy, spicy depth to the fresh cherry topping for this cheesecake.
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Fresh Cherry Tart
One cool thing about this sweet dessert is its freshness: Not cooking the cherries showcases their peak-season taste.
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Cherry-Chocolate Cups
Crispy phyllo dough stands up well to a creamy chocolate-studded ricotta filling and juicy cherries.
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Peach and Cherry Mostarda
Fresh orange juice and zest brighten this sweet-and-spicy Italian condiment. Serve alongside grilled meats of all stripes.
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Grilled Tilapia with Cherry Salsa
Firm, meaty tilapia is a great choice for the grill. This sweet-and-spicy salsa made with Bing cherries, red onion, cilantro, jalapeno, and lime juice takes the flame-kissed fillets to the next level.
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Cherry Sherbet in Tuile Bowls
No ice-cream maker necessary for this refreshing cherry sherbet! A combination of milk, cream, and creme fraiche gives it a perfectly satisfying texture without.Â
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Cherry-Lime Cups
These bite-size pies boast a filling of tart lime custard and sweet cherries.
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Sweet Cherry Granita
Top fluffy cherry slush with a drizzle of almond liqueur and a dollop of whipped cream or mascarpone for an easy, sophisticated treat.
Other Ideas to Try
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Cherrylicious
The season is relatively short, so enjoy this tiny stone fruit while you can -- in cakes, tarts, drinks and more.
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