By Prince William Living Publisher Rebecca Barnes
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Cherries are a popular fruit people of all ages enjoy! These delicious and nutritious fruits are used in various recipes, from desserts to main dishes. The US is the second-largest producer of cherries in the world, and are abundant and readily available at farmers’ markets, grocery stores, and local orchards. Cherries come in two main varieties: sweet cherries and tart cherries.
Sweet cherries are typically eaten fresh and are often used in baked goods and other desserts. They have a firm texture and a juicy, sweet flavor. Tart cherries, on the other hand, have a tangy, sour flavor and are often used in jams, jellies, and pie fillings.
Cherry season typically runs from May to August, depending on the region. During this time, many farmers’ markets and grocery stores offer fresh cherries for sale. Some orchards even allow visitors to pick their own cherries, making for a fun and memorable summer activity.
In addition to picking fresh cherries, there are numerous ways to incorporate them into recipes. Cherry pies, tarts, and cobblers are popular desserts, while savory dishes such as cherry-glazed ham and cherry-balsamic chicken are also common. Cherry jam and cherry preserves are another great way to enjoy the fruit throughout the year.
However, cherry season is short-lived, so make the most of it while it lasts. Try some of these recipes to help savor the taste of summer!
Cherry Orange Cobbler Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 tbsp coarse sugar for topping
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a saucepan, mix together the cherries, orange juice, sugar, cornstarch, and orange zest. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the butter to the bowl and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Stir in the milk until a dough forms.
- Spoon the cherry mixture into a baking dish and drop spoonfuls of the dough mixture on top.
- Sprinkle the coarse sugar over the top of the cobbler.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cobbler is golden brown.
Sour Cherry Sorbet Recipe: Ingredients:
- 2 cups sour cherries, pitted
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, and water. Cook over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and vanilla extract.
- Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
- Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Serve immediately or store in the freezer for later.
Sweet and Sour Cherry Pie Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 double pie crust
- 5 cups fresh cherries, pitted
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tsp coarse sugar for topping
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out half of the pie dough to fit a 9-inch pie dish.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
- Pour the cherry mixture into the pie dish and dot with the butter.
- Roll out the remaining pie dough to fit the top of the pie dish.
- Place the top crust over the cherry mixture and crimp the edges to seal.
- Brush the beaten egg over the top crust and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Ingredients:
- 2 and 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
- 1/2 cup crystallized ginger, chopped
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, ginger, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined. Stir in the dried cherries and crystallized ginger.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are set, and the centers are still soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy your delicious cherry ginger cookies!
Cherry Ginger Coolers Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted
- 1/2 inch piece fresh ginger
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cups sparkling water
- ice
Instructions:
- In a blender, puree cherries, ginger, lemon juice, and honey until smooth.
- Divide cherry mixture between two glasses filled with ice.
- Top each glass with 1 cup sparkling water.
- Stir to combine and enjoy your cherry ginger coolers!
