The Cherry On Top: Recipes With This Bright Red Summer Fruit

Who doesn’t love cherries around the 4th of July?? 

Here are our top picks for recipes with cherries sweet and a bit savory! 

Cherry clafouti, from Julia Child. I’d argue that this classic French dish (pronounced kla-foo-tee) is far superior to the average cherry tart. It’s rich with flavor, especially this time of year, when cherries are in season and extra flavorful. This is sure to be an instant family favorite recipe that’ll give you a confidence boost as a baker.

Cherry almond dutch baby, from Smitten Kitchen. I made this for my husband on Father’s Day and it was a big hit. It’s easy to make and works well with fresh or frozen cherries. I made it with frozen cherries and just defrosted them the night before so that they’d be ready to go in the morning. This recipe is especially fun to make with kids. As the dutch baby is in the oven, turn on the oven light and have the kids watch it grow and bubble up. Then get their help sprinkling powdered sugar and lemon juice on top!

Cherry, pistachio and balsamic honey yogurt, from Cookie and Kate. This yogurt is equal parts savory and sweet. The vanilla yogurt adds a sweetness to the dish, while the balsamic honey glaze adds tanginess and the cherries add tartness. Top it off with crumbled pistachios and you’ll have a yogurt with a nice variety of texture and flavor. (For a similar recipe that’s more of a meal, check out Cookie and Kate’s cherry couscous and arugula salad with balsamic vinaigrette.)

Roasted cherry dark chocolate brownies, from Pastry Affair. These dark chocolate brownies are super easy to make and a fun twist on traditional brownies. They’re both decadent and simple, and they make for a great family treat. They’re especially good paired with a tall glass of milk for the kiddos, and a cup of coffee for mom. Because let’s face it, a mom can never have enough dark chocolate and coffee!

Lazy chocolate cherry fudge cake, by Pinch of Yum. If you’re looking to bake something that’s “deliciously lazy,” look no further than this fudge cake. The recipe calls for cherry pie filling and includes a mouthwatering homemade fudge frosting. The result is a small-ish ramekin cake that will satisfy your sweet tooth without leaving you feeling totally stuffed.

Roasted cherry sangria, from Foodie Crush. It’s hard to beat a glass of homemade sangria made with fresh ingredients. This sangria contains cherry flavored liqueur, sparkling rosé wine, and a pound of pitted cherries, among other ingredients. Spruce it up with some orange slices and sprigs of mint and you’ll have yourself the perfect summer cocktail.

Looking for more options? Check out this detailed list of “the best and brightest sweet cherry recipes” from The New York Times. 

What are your favorite cherry recipes??