100 Jaw-Dropping Ways to Cook With Cherries

Cherry Slidecar Recipe

Cherry bitters, cherry liqueur and a brandied cherry flavor Jonny Raglin's favorite Sidecar variation. At Comstock, he makes the drink with pickled cherry bitters concocted by his business partner and "resident mad scientist," Jeff Hollinger.

Cherry and Pistachio Rugelach Recipe

You can switch out the cherry preserves and dried cherries for another fruit that comes in both spread and dried form, such as apricot, currant, or blueberry.

Grilled Chicken Salad With Cherries Recipe

Golden-red Rainier cherries look prettiest in this salad, but any fresh sweet cherries will do.

Pear and Sour Cherry Crisp with Oat-Hazelnut Topping Recipe

This fruit crisp features a pear and cherry mixture topped with crumbly oat and hazelnut clusters. 

Papaya-Blueberry-Cherry Breakfast Bowls Recipe

A feast for your eyes and your mouth, this bright bowl pops with a myriad of tasty, crunchy components. 

Stir-Fried Cherries with Chocolate Chip Cones Recipe

Serve a quick version of cherries jubilee by making a simply cherry sauce from cherry jelly, sweet cherries, and cherry brandy.

Cherry-Orange Tequila Cocktail Recipe

A slow pour creates pretty layers of cherry and orange for this tequila-spiked rainbow in a glass

Cherry Pie Bars Recipe

A classic cherry dessert is baked into a crowd-pleasing, more portable treat. Make and store these bars, wrapped in aluminum foil, for up to three days.

Cherry-Ricotta Toast Recipe

Cherry-Plum Pie with Cornmeal Crust Recipe

If you don't have a cherry pitter, try inserting a wooden chopstick through the stem end of each cherry to remove the pits.

Grilled Camembert with Macerated Cherries and Rosemary Recipe

Camembert with Macerated Cherries and Rosemary is a gooey, melty, grilled treat. Tip: If you can't find Camembert cheese, Brie works as a nice substitute. Serve with table water crackers.

Seared Steaks with Red Wine-Cherry Sauce Recipe

A rich cherry sauce complements beef tenderloin in this 40-minute dinner of Seared Steaks with Red Wine-Cherry Sauce.

Severed Hand Pies Recipe

This freaky-delicious treat serves up classic flavors with a Halloween twist. Impress your guests with sweet cherry filling in flakey puff pastry... in the shape of a human hand.

Cherry-Almond Granita Recipe

Almonds and cherries are a classic pair; here, they make a stunning dessert. If you find dark sweet cherries in season, use them in place of the frozen cherries.

Cherry-Chocolate Thumbprints Recipe

Cherry-Chocolate Thumbprints feature the irresistible flavor combination of cherry and chocolate.

Cherry-Gingerbread Muffins Recipe

Wheat bran and yogurt bump up the protein and fiber so you'll stay fueled. Mashed banana adds moisture and sweetness without noticeable banana flavor, while browned butter lends nutty depth.

Cherry, Chicken, and Pecan Wheat Berry Salad Recipe

What a fantastic combo! If you can't find fresh cherries, add 1/4 cup boiling water to 1/4 cup dried cherries. Let stand 10 minutes; drain and chop.

White Cake with Bourbon Buttercream and Seven-Minute Frosting Recipe

Top this cake with Sugar-Coated Orange Slices and Sparkling Cherries.

Piñata Punch Freeze Recipe

Reminiscent of a soda shop shake, Piñata Punch Freeze is piled high with whipped cream and a cherry on top to finish. However, unlike the classic milkshake, this modern blend packs a major punch using green tea flavored ice cream over traditional vanilla.

Chocolate-Black Cherry Soda Ice Cream Float Recipe

Who doesn't love a towering milkshake? Treat yourself tonight.

Bing Cherry Sorbet with Prosecco Recipe

For extra cherry essence, top with chopped fresh cherries.

Cherry-Chip Chewy Crispy Bars Recipe

Cherry-Chip Chewy Crispy Bars become grown-up fare with the addition of dried cherries to this variation of a favorite childhood treat.

Cherry Frost Recipe

Cherry Frost is composed of black cherry liqueur, brandy, crushed iced, and then topped off with sparkling white wine. Of course, no cocktail is complete without a maraschino cherry on top!

Chocolate Cherry Coconut Brownies Recipe

Recipe by Amanda Haas, culinary director of Williams-Sonoma and author of The Anti-Inflammation Cookbook (Chronicle Books, 2016). Although you can use all-purpose wheat flour, gluten-free flour (in combination with coconut oil) makes these brownies more tender and luscious. Let chill overnight for a firmer, easier-to-cut brownie.

Cherry-Hazelnut Cake with Streusel Topping Recipe

The Pacific Northwest's cherry crop runs from May through early July. Use a sweet fresh cherry such as Bing or Rainier for this hearty cake. You can substitute frozen cherries, thawed and drained, if fresh fruit is unavailable.

Cherry Cheesecake Parfaits Recipe

Instant pudding mix and cherry pie filling make this a quick and easy dessert.

Warm Brown Rice and Chickpea Salad with Cherries and Goat Cheese Recipe

Fresh cherries add a meaty bite and tart-sweet flavor. If you can't find fresh cherries, add 2 tablespoons boiling water to 1/4 cup unsweetened dried cherries. Let stand 10 minutes; drain and chop.

Spiced Ambrosia Recipe

Classic ambrosia is spiced with peppercorns and is topped with sweetened coconut and maraschino cherries.

Cherry and Sunflower Seed Kale Salad Recipe

Perfect for a light lunch or side, this Cherry and Sunflower Seed Kale Salad features a homemade honey-mustard vinaigrette. The dried cherries and sunflower seeds give the kale an extra crunch with a sweet and salty finish.

Poached Fruit over Vanilla Frozen Yogurt Recipe

Any unsweetened juice (such as apple or cherry) will work. We love a mix of dried plum, pear, and apple. Dried figs, apricots, and cherries would also be delicious.

Cherry-Almond Upside-Down Cake Recipe

Cherries and almonds have a natural affinity; in fact, cherry pits have a bitter almond flavor. The ease of this special dessert belies its gorgeous appearance. If you're pitting the cherries, be sure to work over a bowl and save any accumulated juice, which should be added to the recipe with the cherries.

Fresh Cherry Salsa Recipe

Zippy red pepper jelly sends Fresh Cherry Salsa over the top. Serve Fresh Cherry Salsa over chicken, pork, with chips, or with our Pulled Pork Griddle Cakes.

Grilled Pork Loin Steaks with Cherry-Plum Sauce Recipe

Make the Cherry-Plum Sauce three to four days ahead, and reheat over low heat. If it's too thick, add water, a little at a time, until it reaches desired consistency.

Bahama Mama Recipe

A blend of fruit liqueurs and rum create this delicious, tropical cocktail. Garnish with a pineapple wedge and cherry.

Easy Cherry Cobbler Recipe

Our easy cherry cobbler recipe is a fan favorite for a reason: It's a simple solution for anyone with a sweet tooth. This versatile recipe works well with fresh cherries or canned cherries. Summer never tasted so good. 

Chicken in Cherry Marsala Sauce Recipe

If you can't find dried cherries, use regular dried cranberries.

Ambrosia Macaroons Recipe

Give these soft, chewy macaroons a different look by garnishing with candied fruit like orange peels or green cherries.

Bottled Manhattans Recipe

Garnish this classic cocktail with an orange twist and a maraschino cherry.

Wild Rice Salad with Dried Cherries and Parsley Recipe

This grain salad tastes equally delicious when served warm or at room temperature. If serving at room temperature, let rice cool completely before adding the parsley and cherries.

First Kiss Cupcakes Recipe

As sweet as love's first kiss, our chocolate and cherry cupcake is special. One bite and you'll fall in love, and all with a cherry on top!

Cherry-Merlot Granita Recipe

Orange rind, orange juice, sweet cherries, and merlot are sweetened with a simple syrup and then frozen to make this Cherry-Merlot Granita.

Cherry, Citrus, and Herb Whiskey Cocktail Recipe

There's nothing old-fashioned about this herb-and-citrus spin on a classic. To make a lemon peel twist, slice a piece of the peel off the lemon, Then, cut off the pulp and pith so you only have a long, thin strip of peel. Twist the peel into a curly shape and garnish at will. If you really dislike rosemary, you could use another strongly flavored herb, like thyme. The hardest part about this cocktail? The anticipation of waiting for the ice cubes to freeze so you can enjoy it.

Cherry-Port Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Port adds a grown-up twist, but you can sub unsweetened cherry or pomegranate juice, if you like.

Chipotle-Barbecue Meatballs Recipe

Start with a package of frozen meatballs and cook with bottled barbecue sauce and cherry preserves for this easy, 5-ingredient appetizer.

Sweet and Tangy Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Red Potato Mash Recipe

Using jelly rather than preserves in the glaze helps maintain a smooth texture, but you can use either. Instead of grape, try strawberry, cherry, red currant, or even jellied cranberry sauce.

Cherry Bonbon Cookies Recipe

These maraschino cherry  cookies come from a family recipe that's over 30 years old.

Double-Cherry Pies Recipe

Dried fruit provides rich, concentrated cherry flavor, a contrast to the tart frozen cherries. The white, creamy chocolate topping drizzles the pies with sweetness.

Cherry-Chocolate Chip Loaves Recipe

Try substituting sweetened dried cranberries for the cherries…a bit tangy, but just as yummy.

Cherry-Pecan Brie Recipe

Cherry-Pecan Brie is a five-ingredient appetizer you can have ready in about 10 minutes.

Roasted Cornish Hens with Cherry-Port Glaze Recipe

Ginger gives the sweet-tart cherry glaze a little bite atop roasted Cornish game hens.

Spiced Coconut-Cherry Mold Recipe

In order for the cherries to set in a single layer, be sure to stick to the timing instructed in Steps 4-6.

White Chocolate Cherry Cookies Recipe

As if chocolate and cherries weren't already a great pair, these cookies shine with white chocolate chips.

Chocolate-Amaretto Semifreddo Recipe

Studded with dark cherries and toasted almonds, this creamy frozen dessert is a cinch to make.

Sour Cream Babka Recipe

Russian immigrants gloried in Easter babkas - enriched yeast breads studded with dried fruits and nuts. For a more traditional babka, omit the amaretto and use dried sour cherries and candied cherries in place of cranberries and raisins.

Cherry-Vanilla Buttermilk Ice Cream Recipe

Cool-down with a deliciously creamy, summer treat. Don't have an ice cream maker? That's ok. Mix your ingredients in a small loaf pan (regularly stirring) and freeze until solid, 5-7 hours.

Cherries Jubilee Cakes Recipe

Santa's secret: No one will ever guess these elegant little cakes came from a box of white cake mix and a can of cherries.

Moonshine-Cherry Blush Recipe

Moonshine-Cherry Blush is guaranteed to quench your thirst and generate party buzz. Fresh mint leaves, lemon slices, and maraschino cherries garnish this tasty summer sipper.

Cherry Compote Over Goat Cheese Recipe

This simple and healthy dessert features a round of goat cheese topped with a tangy sweet cherry compote.  

Glazed Fruitcake Bars Recipe

These dense, chewy fruitcake bars are a fresh version of the kind passed around at holiday parties. We love raisins and dried cherries in this recipe, but use your favorite combinations.

Be Mine Cherry Brownies Recipe

Make these too-cute cherry brownies for your sweetheart.

Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Chicken and Cashews Recipe

Give these sweet potatoes a flavorful kick by adding some cinnamon-seasoned chicken and cashews. Dried cherries and raisins also elevate the texture in this topped potato to a perfect savory-sweet terriroty. 

Cherry-Oat Scones Recipe

We ramp up the goodness this tasty breakfast classic, Cherry-Oat Scones, with fruit, grains, and low-fat buttermilk.

The Boulevardier Negroni Recipe

Black Forest Shake Recipe

This cake-inspired shake features grated chocolate--it's almost like eating a frozen chocolate-covered cherry.

Cherry Crisp Recipe

The bountiful cherry crop in Wisconsin and Michigan provides the inspiration for this fresh fruit dessert with all-American appeal. While Midwesterners may use tart cherries, we use more readily available sweet Bing cherries and add lemon juice to the mix. This dessert is best enjoyed warm, so reheat leftovers—if there are any.

Eggnog Fudge Recipe

Candied cherries and toasted nuts flavor this creamy fudge that's made with left-over eggnog.

Cherry and Brie Burgers with Rosemary and Grilled Onion Recipe

These are only quarter-pounders, but they look heftier because the meat is mixed with ground dried cherries (a powerful antioxidant) and a little bulgur. The seasonings and cheese take the cherries in a savory direction, keeping the burgers from being too sweet.

Pork Chops with Cherry Couscous Recipe

In-season, sweet red cherries are a bountiful bargain, and they lend a wonderfully fresh, fruity element that pairs well with pork.

Red, White, and Blue Toasted Oat Scones Recipe

If you have trouble finding dried blueberries, swap in additional dried cherries or another tender dried fruit. Toasted nuts would also make a dandy substitution and provide textural contrast.

Pickled Cherries with Tarragon and Vanilla Recipe

Chef Renee Erickson, owner of several Seattle restaurants and of Boat Street Pickle company, gave us the recipe for this bright, sweet-sour pickle. She uses fresh sour cherries (with the stems is especially pretty), but sweet Bings work well too--and so do frozen cherries of either type. You could use the brine for rhubarb, green (unripe) strawberries, apricots, or gooseberries. Eat with cheese, charcuterie, or grilled duck or turkey.

New-School Cranberry Salad Recipe

We were so inspired by Old-School Cranberry Salad that we created a new version using fresh oranges and pineapple in place of canned and subbing dried cherries for maraschinos.

Sweet Tea Tiramisù Recipe

For topping: Toss sliced strawberries and pitted fresh cherries with a little sugar and almond liqueur; add shaved chocolate.

Oregon Chocolate-Cherry Cookies Recipe

You'll savor each melt-in-your-mouth morsel as you bite into these sweet chocolate-cherry cookies.

Cherry-Ginger Scones Recipe

These scones are made with whole wheat pastry flour and rolled oats and flavored with sweetened dried cherries and crystallized ginger.

Fresh Cherry Galette Recipe

The galette looks and sounds fancy, but with its free-form shape, it's ridiculously easy. Rainier cherries have pale, creamy flesh and are larger and sweeter than Bing cherries. If you opt for another variety, add an extra tablespoon of sugar.

Chocolate-Cherry Pudding Cake Recipe

As the cake bakes, it separates into two layers, a tender chocolate spongelike cake and a rich chocolate-cherry sauce.

White Chocolate-Cherry Bark Recipe

Pack a cherry-spiked piece in your child's bag (or your own) for a creamy-crunchy treat.

The Smokin' Word Recipe

Take super-smoky mezcal, throw in a hit of cherries, and you've got one bold drink--The Smokin' Word.

Turkey Antipasto Panini Recipe

Serve with fresh cherries and an Italian Berry Float to top off your meal.

Prep: 7 minutes; Cook: 3 minutes

Cherry Tart with Almond Streusel Topping Recipe

Use fresh or frozen cherries to make the deep red-hued, sweet-tart filling for this gluten-free tart. The crunchy, crumbly almond streusel really sends it over the top.

Simply Red Fruit Salad Recipe

This juicy, crimson-colored salad uses liquid from boiled cherries, reserved orange juice, lime zest and jam to create a sweet sauce to drizzle over fresh fruit.

Cherry-Smoked Turkey on the Grill Recipe

The time put into the cooking process of this turkey is what garners such a stellar flavor. The smokey char that the exterior gets from the grill gives it a golden color and an even better rustic flavor. This turkey truly shines as an alternative method for Thanksgiving fare. 

Herb-and-Potato Chip-Crusted Beef Tenderloin Recipe

Herb-and-Potato Chip-Crusted Beef Tenderloin gets added crunch with a flavorful coating of fresh herbs, panko breadcrumbs, and kettle-cooked potato chips.

Cherry Chutney goes with this recipe.

Grilled Chicken With Spicy Cherry Sauce Recipe

Prep: 5 minutes; Cook: 18 minutes. You can make the cherry sauce with either fresh or frozen berries.