Recipe Roundup

Our 59 Favorite Sweet and Savory Cherry Recipes

Celebrate summer's ruby red stone fruit with our best recipes for cherry pies, cakes, salads, relishes, and more.
A cherry recipe of buttermilk clafoutis sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Cherry Buttermilk ClafoutisKimberley Hasselbrink

A solid cherry recipe is always good to have in your back pocket when cherries hit their peak—and a whole lot of vanilla ice cream wouldn't hurt either. But cherry pie is only the beginning.

Whether you prefer sweet cherries or sour cherries, there’s something in this recipe collection for you. Cherry cheesecake? Naturally. Cherry crisp? Cobbler? Clafoutis? Oh, we got you. And these juicy red jewels star in more than dessert. Be sure to save some of your cherry haul for stone fruit salads, sauces, and cocktails too.

Scroll on through for our favorite cherry recipes for showstopping treats and easy desserts alike, from a double-decker cherry pie (it’ll dethrone any boring old birthday cake) to an easy upside-down cake that incorporates frozen cherries (just in case you can’t find any fresh). And if you need even more recipes for summer fruit crisps, crumbles, and cobblers, we’ve got you covered there too.

  • Cobbler made with cherry and biscuits in a casserole dish
    Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li
    1/59

    Cherry Biscuit Cobbler

    This biscuit-topped cherry cobbler is one of our favorite cherry recipes for summer and can be made with sweet cherries or sour ones.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    2/59

    Triple-Cherries Jubilee

    This elegant, old-fashioned cherry dessert is great for entertaining. It comes together simply, and the flambéed sauce that finishes the jubilee never fails to impress. Plus, when you use frozen cherries, you don't have to wait for cherry season to ignite this crowd pleaser. 

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  • Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Stevie Stewart
    3/59

    Cherry Pie With Lattice Crust

    Use sweet or tart cherries (or a combination) in this anything-goes cherry pie. You’ll adjust the sugar and lemon juice to accommodate.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    4/59

    Grilled Beet Salad With Burrata and Cherries

    This salad takes the classic combo of cheese and summer fruit to the next level. Salty olives, sweet-tart cherries, and creamy burrata make for a memorable, unexpected start to any meal, and a splash of sherry vinegar electrifies the whole dish. 

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  • Photo by Alex Lau
    5/59

    Easy One-Bowl Cherry Upside-Down Cake

    Who doesn't love cake? With this quick and easy recipe, you'll love it even more. The key is frozen fruit; no need to thaw or bust out the cherry pitter. You don't even need to use cherries. Blueberries, cranberries, or a mix of your favorite berries will work for this delicious summer dessert that requires barely any prep time.  

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  • Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    6/59

    Spiced Cherry Spritz

    Love juicy cherries but tired of cherry cobbler, cherry crumble, and cherry crisp? Try drinking your cherries. This cocktail is loaded with cherry flavor, from maraschino and cherry soda. Amaro and cherry red Lambrusco add complexity and more fizz to this four-ingredient libation. 

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  • Kimberley Hasselbrink
    7/59

    Cherry Buttermilk Clafoutis

    Everyone who eats fruit should know how to make clafoutis. The degree of difficulty is low and the versatility (it works with almost any fruit) is high. And the outcome is alway delicious.  

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  • Photo by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Liberty Fennell
    8/59

    Sour Cherry Pie

    This timeless cherry pie recipe is made with sour (a.k.a. tart) cherries. Those in the know call them “pie cherries.” And, by the way, a scoop of vanilla ice cream is non-negotiable.

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  • Photo by Peden + Munk
    9/59

    Charred Bread with Ricotta and Cherry Salsa

    If you make the cherry salsa ahead, the total time for this recipe is about as long as it takes to make toast. And in case you didn't know already, ricotta and red cherries are a dream together. 

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food styling by Anna Stockwell
    10/59

    Stone Fruit Clafoutis

    Once the pitting is done, this custard-y cherry clafoutis recipe is a breeze. Use tart cherries or sweet Bing cherries or even apricots. It's still clafoutis, which is as fun to say as it is to eat.

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  • Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo
    11/59

    Cherry and Smoke

    If you like juicy, tannic red wine with cherry notes, but don't like the next-day headache, this nonalcoholic cocktail is what you've been waiting for. The tea mimics tannins and the cherries, well, add actual cherry flavor, not merely a note.      

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  • 12/59

    Sour Cherry and Lemon Ice-Box Cake

    Lemon juice, creamy mascarpone, crunchy cookies, and sour cherries come together for this burst of brightness straight out of the freezer.

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  • Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
    13/59

    Maraschino Cherry Parfaits

    Make this simple, luscious dessert for the cherry-lover in your life. The cherry preparation in this recipe is also a great way to preserve cherries, so you can indulge in them anytime you want.  

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  • Photo by Jennifer Davick
    14/59

    Lamb Chops with Cherry Glaze

    This main course cooks just as well on the grill as it does under the broiler. And the glaze comes together easily, including a base of healthful bone broth. 

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  • Photo by Tara Fisher
    15/59

    Peanut Butter and Sour Cherry Cheesecake

    This epic cherry cheesecake is inspired by plain old childhood nostalgia: a PB&J sandwich. The alchemy of combining cream cheese, crispy peanuts, and the starring dried fruit produces a memorable dessert that hits all the senses. (Did we mention the dark chocolate, double cream topping?)     

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Anna Stockwell
    16/59

    Bibb Lettuce, Chicken, and Cherry Salad With Creamy Horseradish Dressing

    Slicing the fruit as it falls from the cherry tree directly onto the serving plate, is probably the only way this hefty salad could get any fresher. We also love the intoxicating kick from the horseradish dressing. 

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  • Photo by Alex Lau
    17/59

    Ricotta Pie With Amarena Cherries

    Using ricotta in addition to cream cheese for this elegant pie lightens it up and adds freshness and nuance. The stellar crust comes together quickly, using mostly nuts and just a little bit of all-purpose flour. And if you don't have Amarena cherries on hand, just use the best cherry preserves you can find or cherry jam.  

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  • Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott
    18/59

    Cherry Compote with Honey Yogurt

    The simplicity of this dish is also why it's so versatile. Make this for breakfast, lunch, or a snack. It also works equally as well for dessert, following a substantial dinner.  

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  • Photo by William Meppem, Chris Court, Con Poulos, Anson Smart
    19/59

    Sour Cherry Relish

    Your can tell your can opener and that red, jiggly, ribbed tube called cranberry sauce to step aside. Of course this cherry condiment is sensational with roast pork or duck, but don't forget about smearing it on sandwiches or dolloping it atop yogurt or ice cream.    

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Dawn Perry
    20/59

    Grilled Stone Fruit Sangria

    Grilled peaches, plums, and nectarines add a natural caramelized sweetness to this refreshing drink, while uncooked cherries give it refreshing drinkability.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks
    21/59

    Double-Decker Chocolate and Cherry-Raspberry Birthday Pie

    There is no better way to say happy birthday than with a chocolate cherry pie. Make this for that special person in your life who adores black forest cake. They'll be forever grateful.

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  • Photo by Ted Cavanaugh
    22/59

    Banana Split Ice Cream Cake

    Get set to impress with this ice cream cake with all of the familiar flavors and textures you'd find in a banana split, like a caramel banana jam, maraschino cherries suspended in vanilla ice cream, and a heavy hand of crushed peanuts sprinkled on top.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    23/59

    Lamb Chops with Polenta and Grilled Scallion Sauce

    Yogurt, flavored with basil and grilled scallions and jalapeños, becomes an instant dressing for a salad of seasonal greens and cherries.

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  • Christopher Testani
    24/59

    Summer Fruit Crisp

    This recipe is infinitely adaptable—swap in whichever summer fruit you prefer; amp up the filling with fresh ginger or herbs; add chocolate chips to the topping; or just add some more brown sugar and pecans until it's the crisp of your dreams. 

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Matt Duckor
    25/59

    The Cherry Bomb

    Try this cocktail if you're a fan of Mint Juleps or Manhattans. Or if you just want to see what summer tastes like in a tumbler.

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  • Kana Okada
    26/59

    Dark-Chocolate Cherry Brownies

    A handful of chopped fresh cherries make a great sweet-tart addition to your favorite fudge-y brownies.

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  • Gentl & Hyers
    27/59

    Cherry-Bourbon Ice Cream

    Just like cherries make your favorite bourbon cocktail better, bourbon makes fresh cherries, and the ice cream you fold them into, better.

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  • Hirsheimer & Hamilton
    28/59

    Cherry and Plum Bruschetta

    These healthy treats are great for casual snacking or as passed hors d'oeuvres for your next summer soirée. 

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  • Photo by Ditte Isager
    31/59

    Cherry Hand Pies

    These adorable hand pies are perfect for a picnic, a road trip, or packed in a lunch for a little special someone. 

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  • photo by Misha Gravenor
    32/59

    Buttermilk Waffles with Cherry-Almond Sauce

    Top your weekend waffles (or pancakes!) with cherry sauce instead of maple syrup. This recipe calls for frozen cherries, but when you've got great fresh cherries on hand, use those.

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  • Hans Gissinger
    35/59

    Spumoni Sundaes with Espresso Hot Fudge Sauce

    This is the most fun you can have in a glass, and it all can be made ahead, coming together in minutes the next day, with a drizzle of fudge and a cherry on top, of course.   

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  • Francesco Tonelli
    36/59

    Sour Cherry Crumble

    The only thing separating the succulent sour cherries from the luxe whipped ricotta in this dessert is a layer of nutty crumble and your fork. 

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  • Photo by Lisa Hubbard
    37/59

    Cherry-Cornmeal Upside-Down Cake

    You'll flip over this cake, which calls for just a touch of balsamic vinegar to add dimension and balance to dark, sweet cherries.

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  • Photo by Joseph De Leo, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Monica Pierini
    38/59

    Cranberry-Cherry Compote

    Cranberry season kicks off in late summer. Marry them with your favorite cherries and you'll be stocked up for all your cranberry condiment needs come fall. 

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  • Photo by Christopher Baker
    41/59

    Peach Dutch Baby With Cherry Compote

    If you can make a pancake, you can make a Dutch baby. It's basically a giant, fruited popover. Who doesn't want that?  

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  • Beall + Thomas Photography
    42/59

    Chocolate Cherry Cola Cake

    Cherry cola and maraschinos in the batter give this cake a deliciously retro vibe. Fresh cherries in the marshmallowy frosting give the finished cake a touch of freshness.

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  • Romulo Yanes
    55/59

    Cherry-Pistachio Nougat

    Is it possible to have it all? This chewy, crunchy, sweet-tart nougat suggests yes, yes it is.

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  • Con Poulos
    56/59

    Angry Shrimp

    Dried fruits are just little packages of concentrated flavor. Here they also boost the sweetness of the shrimp and temper the heat of the chipotle. 

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A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Sean Kenniff has worked as a professional chef and cook in kitchens up and down the East Coast. He was the executive editor of Art Culinaire Magazine from 2011 to 2013, and an editor at StarChefs from 2013 to 2020. He loves street ... Read more
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