Whether your dish is sour or sweet, cherries will add a burst of delicious flavor. For thousands of years, cherries have been a popular fruit, favored among the ancient Romans and Greeks.
According to historical records, cherries first arrived in the U.S. in the 17th century. Cherries are rich in many necessary vitamins and minerals.
Likewise, a single serving of cherries provides 18% of your recommended daily Vitamin C allowance – perfect for a well-rounded diet.
In addition to a range of health benefits, cherries are also incredibly versatile. They can be added to your favorite meat marinades, salads, and other savory meals.
However, as we all know, cherries truly take a shine when included in desserts. From frozen yogurt to pie to black forest cake, below; you will find 27 deliciously easy cherry desserts.
1. Cherry Clafoutis
If you’ve never heard of cherry clafoutis (pronounced kla-foo-tee) before, it is essentially a French dessert that is made by baking cherries in a custard-like batter.
Traditionally, they are made with black cherries, however; you can also use a variation of different fruits.
Composed of seven simple ingredients with 10 minutes of preparation, the hardest instruction you will encounter is letting it cool down before you can eat it!
A dollop of cream or a dusting of powdered sugar adds the perfect finishing touch to this cherry clafoutis.
2. Mini Cherry Cheesecakes
While these cheesecakes may be tiny, however; they pack a huge punch in flavor.
Don’t be fooled; these cheesecakes are extremely addictive! With this recipe, you’ll be able to make 4 dozen cheesecakes, while this may sound like a lot, trust me; these won’t last long at a party.
They are everything you want from a cheesecake: a buttery crust and a rich, creamy layer, with the cherry on top being the cherry preserves!
3. Black Forest Cake
The cake takes its roots in Germany where it is known as Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte.
This cake consists of several layers of spongy, chocolate cake with fresh cherries, whipped cream, and cherry syrup, and is topped with chocolate shavings for a finishing touch.
However, the American version, which we have all come to love, is a little bit different.
It features a moist and soft chocolate cake (which doesn’t necessarily need to be spongy anymore), and instead of fresh cherries, it consists of a cherry pie filling.
Either way, both variations are absolutely delicious, and nothing can beat the classic chocolate cake. Although, maybe cherries can!
With only cake mix and some simple ingredients, you will be rewarded with this soft, moist cake with cherry filling and creamy whipped cream that balances the whole cake perfectly – it’s a pretty impressive alternative!
4. Cherry Brownies
Chocolate and cherries make for the perfect combination! That’s why we present you with this cherry brownie recipe for the fudgiest, softest, most chocolatey brownies with plenty of cherries baked into them!
Unlike regular brownies, these are made slightly differently. They don’t contain any flour, sugar, or butter, although; you’d never tell! The best thing?
You only need one bowl for the whole recipe! No need to worry about tons of dishes once finished!
In one bite, you’ll fall in love. The crispy outside combined with the rich, gooey insides, makes these bronies truly irresistible.
5. Cherry Pie
You can’t go wrong with pie… whatever the flavor! However, cherry pie creates a whole new meaning to the word pie. Well, not entirely but that’s beside the point, this cherry pie is truly
irresistible. And bonus points? It will make your grandma proud!
This recipe creates the most buttery crust you’ll ever taste, featuring a sweet filling that is enhanced with almond and vanilla extract. It’s so good, it’ll remind you of home.
You don’t need any fancy baking skills to make this pie! Simply mix, pour, and place in the oven- it’s that easy.
You don’t need to wait for the cherry season to make this recipe, frozen cherries work just as well!
6. Easy Cherry Dump Cake
Short on time? Well, this recipe only requires less than 10 minutes to put together – perfect for those last-minute potlucks or family get-togethers.
As you might have guessed, this recipe is incredibly easy to make. With just a handful of ingredients, you’re already on your way to making this delicious treat.
All you need to do is dump the ingredients into a pan and let your oven do its magic. You will be rewarded with a tender, moist cake packed with sweet cherries and pineapples.
Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream for the most comforting of desserts.
7. Cherry Ice Cream
If you’re looking for an easy, but refreshing ice cream to cool down on a hot summer’s day, then you have come to the right place.
This recipe only calls for a handful of simple ingredients: no eggs, no cooking time, and no custard base, all you need to do is give your cherries, sweet cream, and sugar a quick whirl in the blender.
You can either serve it immediately for more soft-serve ice cream or place it in your ice cream maker or freezer until the ice cream is set.
8. Rustic Cherry Galette
This galette is seriously indulgent-worthy, you won’t be able to get enough of it!
This rustic cherry galette is reminiscent of a cherry pie, containing a sweet cherry pie filling encompassed in a mouthwatering, buttery crust. Although, unlike a cherry pie, this one is much easier to make.
Place a dollop of vanilla ice cream onto your galette for the perfect finishing touch which will have your friends and family coming for more.
9. Cherry Bars
These cherry bars contain everything you love from a cherry pie, however; they are 10 times easier to make!
This recipe is perfect for people who may not have the time or resources to create a whole cherry pie. Therefore, these make the perfect alternative.
Featuring a buttery base, a sweet cherry pie filling, as well as a sweet sugar glaze, these flavors are spot on!
10. Black Forest Pavlova
This black forest pavlova features a heavenly balance of chocolate cream, fresh dark cherries, and chocolate pavlova. It is a show-stopping masterpiece that everyone is sure to love.
Containing everything you love about a black forest cake, this pavlova takes it up a notch. You get all your favorite flavors combined in a crunchy, delicious meringue.
Its layers of meringue, combined with chocolate cream and cherries make for an attractive dessert.
11. Maraschino Cherry Cupcakes
These maraschino cherry cupcakes are perfect for any time of the year, although; they are especially great for Valentine’s Day with their gorgeous pink and red colorings.
Asides from that, they are also great for picnics, parties, and get-togethers. Whatever the occasion, they are sure to be a hit!
Maraschino cherries flavor both the batter and frosting, as well as adding a pop of color that is truly irresistible.
12. Chocolate Cherry Brownie Parfaits
Packed with layers of cherry pie filling, fudgy brownie, cream cheese whipped cream, and, of course, a cherry on top.
These are the perfect decadent dessert to say “I love you on Valentine’s Day”, or anything day in fact!
When placed in a clear glass, you’ll be able to see the impressive layers which make for quite a showstopper.
Once all the ingredients have been considered, putting together your chocolate cherry brownie parfaits should be a piece of cake!
13. Cherry Almond Shortbread Cookies
Soft, buttery, crisp, and sweet, these cherry almond shortbread cookies are sure to be a crowd favorite on any occasion.
Shortbread is a great cookie to make as they don’t contain many ingredients. Essentially, all you need is confectioner’s sugar, flour, butter, and whatever flavorings you desire.
The most difficult thing you’ll come across is rolling your dough into a log (which many kindergarteners do during play dough time!), chilling it, then slicing it.
These cookies will want to make you curl on the couch with a cup of warm milk to enjoy these beautiful, buttery, festive cookies.
14. Cherry Danish
Cherry Danish are essentially cherry cheesecake cupcakes (see also ’28 Filled Cupcakes You’ll Flip For’) but in the form of a breakfast pastry. If you’re a fan of cherries and cream cheese, then you’ll love this recipe!
All the ingredients come together to create a deliciously tender pastry, while the cherry filling is the perfect combination of sweet and bitter. The cherry on the top is the sweet glaze drizzle.
15. Fresh Cherry Cobbler
You can’t go wrong with a cobbler, and to make it even better? Add cherries!
Underneath a bed of buttery, crisp biscuit crust you’ll find a sweet, mouth-watering cherry pie filling.
This cobbler tastes delicious on its own, although; if you’re looking to enhance it, then the only way would be by adding a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top. The contrast between hot and cold is irresistible.
Fun Fact: Cobblers get their name from looking similar to cobble-stone roads when baked!
16. Dark Chocolate Cherry Fudge
For only a few ingredients, you’ll be rewarded with these delicious, rich dark chocolate cherry fudges (see also ‘23 Best Fudge Recipes‘) that are sure to knock your socks off!
The only ingredients you’ll need are chocolate chips, condensed milk, maraschino cherries, and a pinch of salt for some irresistible fudge.
Better yet these can simply be made in the microwave or stovetop, the choice is yours! Whichever method you choose, both are incredibly easy to make.
17. Cherry Strudel
For these lip-smacking cherry strudel, you’ll only need five ingredients with five minutes to prepare, then all you have to do is let your oven do the rest of the work for you.
Nestled in a warm, puff pastry you’ll find a sweet, rich cherry pie filling. While it may sound simple, the flavors work incredibly well.
Not to mention, your kitchen will smell heavenly once finished!
18. Cherry Frozen Yogurt
With only five ingredients and six minutes of your time, you’ll be rewarded with the easiest frozen yogurt you have ever made.
Perfect for hot summer days, this frozen yogurt is flavored with honey and lemon for a tangy, refreshing, and mildly sweet touch.
19. Chocolate Dipped Cherry Meringues
This dessert is simple, yet extremely elegant. You’ll produce airy, light cherry-flavored meringues dipped in rich chocolate.
What makes these meringues extra special is their chewy, crisp consistency. Not only do they look good, but they also taste amazing.
Featuring a baby pink hue from the cherries, they make for an impressive stand-alone dessert that is sure to impress all your guests. Not to mention they are incredibly Instagram-worthy!
20. Bite-Size Cherry Pies
As much as we love cherry pies, they can often be difficult to make. Therefore, to avoid any quarrels, try these bite-size cherry pies which are infinitely easier to make while tasting the same!
These are the perfect addition to any holiday spread!
21. Chocolate Cherry Cookies
These chocolate cherry cookies make for the perfect treat!
Featuring a soft fudge cookie with a plump, sweet maraschino cherry located right in the middle and then drizzled with some extra chocolate fudge sauce for the perfect combination of flavor.
They are so good, they will be hard to resist!
Not only do they look incredibly attractive, but they also taste delicious. What more could you ask for?
22. Cherries In The Snow
This is an incredibly simple, no-bake dessert. Similar to the angel food cake (see also ‘Can You Freeze Angel Food Cake?‘), however; in this recipe, you’ll take angel food cake and pair it with a cream cheese mixture.
All you have to do is break up some premade angel food cake and fold it into the cream cheese mixture. Then top with cherry pie filling – It’s that simple and you didn’t even need to turn on your oven!
23. Cherry Scones
Fancy a British treat? Then these cherry scones are sure to hit the spot. While these scones aren’t the same as British ones, the U.S. variety tastes just as amazing.
With a similar softness and texture to that on a cake, these cherry scones are bursting with cherries and are sure to satisfy your taste buds.
Pair with a hot drink for the perfect afternoon dessert.
24. Almond Cherry Muffins
Love muffins? Why not enhance your muffin experience with some cherries!
Not only are these muffins incredibly fluffy and moist but they also contain a luscious cherry filling in the middle. With added almond flavoring, you won’t be able to get enough of these.
25. Cherry Cheesecake Angel Food Cake Roll
This recipe combines all your favorite dessert aspects into one delicious dessert. This cherry cheesecake angel food cake roll is the best kind of roll cake.
It is filled with sweetened cream cheese, cherry pie filling, and whipped cream – making it the ultimate summer dessert. You’ll get the best of both worlds with this dessert.
In addition to this, it is also incredibly easy to make. You don’t need to worry about baking here, with a few handy tips, you are sure to be able to nail this recipe.
26. Chocolate Cherry Loaf Cake
While this recipe may be called a loaf cake, you won’t find any bread here.
Instead, you’ll find a rich and decadent, but not too sweet, fudgy chocolate cherry loaf cake topped with an irresistible mocha glaze and packed with sweet, dark cherries!
Naturally, chocolate and cherries make the perfect combination, however; when you add coffee into the mix, it becomes a masterpiece.
Baked in a loaf pan, the cake becomes simply delightful with tender, and melt-in-your-mouth textures.
27. Cherry Cheesecake Fluff
This is such an easy recipe even your children can get involved!
In under five minutes, you’ll be rewarded with a delicious, sinful dessert that your whole family will enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
When Are Cherries In Season?
The specific start of the cherry season ultimately depends on where you live, however; generally, you’ll find cherries beginning to pop up at produce stands and farmer’s markets around mid-May.
Final Thoughts
Not only do cherries contain many healthy nutrients, but they are also incredibly delicious and versatile. As we have seen above, there are many different ways you can incorporate cherries into your desserts.
Hopefully, this guide has inspired you on easy cherry desserts.
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