31 Recipes to Make with Fresh Cherries

Updated: Jan. 15, 2024

Use summer's bumper crop of cherries in these sweet-tart recipes for every meal of the day.

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Cherry and Chocolate Ice Cream Pie

We took cherry pie to a whole new level as a frozen treat. With a luscious layer of chocolate fudge inside, this is one impressive pie. —Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia

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Also, try our incredible tart recipes are just as pretty as they are delicious!

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Michigan Cherry Japanese-Style Cheesecake

Michigan is known for its amazing cherries, especially the tart ones, so we have plenty of opportunities to find new ways to try and use them. They became my muse for this recipe—a twist on the traditional American cheesecake recipe. I decided to make use of the extraordinary texture and unique taste found in a Japanese-style cheesecake, which is light and melts in your mouth. —Laura Kurella, Wellston, Michigan
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Spiced Cherry Chutney

This fruity chutney gets deep flavor from ginger, cardamom, allspice and balsamic vinegar. It tastes amazing on grilled chicken or pork. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
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Summer Buzz Fruit Salad

For picnics, cookouts and showers, we make a sweet salad of watermelon, cherries, blueberries and microgreens. No matter where I take it, it always delivers on the wow factor. —Kaliska Russell, Talkeetna, Alaska
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Black Forest Panettone Pudding

My chocolate-cherry bread pudding uses Panettone, the holiday bread people often receive but aren't sure how to use. I make a glorious sauce for it using ice cream. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
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Cherry Bounce

Smooth and with the fragrant flavor of sweet cherries, this homemade cherry bounce recipe makes a wonderful holiday gift. For an additional treat, the drained cherries are delicious over vanilla ice cream. —Matt Warren, Mequon, Wisconsin
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Over-the-Top Cherry Jam

We live in Door County, an area known for its wonderful tart cherries. This beautiful, sweet jam makes lovely gifts. —Karen Haen, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
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Cherry Waldorf Salad

We combine apples with tart cherries and dried cranberries to give an autumn twist to classic Waldorf salad. —Marie Hattrup, Sonoma, California
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Juicy Cherry Pie

Cherry season is in the heart of summer. For this pie, choose fresh tart cherries that are bright in color, shiny and plump. They also should feel relatively firm when pressed lightly. —Karen Berner, New Canaan, Connecticut
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Cherry Cheese Blintzes

These elegant blintzes can be served as an attractive dessert or a brunch entree. The bright cherry sauce gives them a delightful flavor. I sometimes substitute other fruits, such as raspberries, blueberries or peaches. —Jessica Vantrease, Anderson, Alaska
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Cherry Cola Cake

Cherry cola and marshmallows make a zippy chocolate dessert that is scrumptious topped with vanilla ice cream. — Cheri Mason, Harmony, North Carolina
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Cherry Barbecue Sauce

You can use fresh or frozen cherries to make this flavorful barbecue sauce. It tastes phenomenal on ribs and chicken! —Ilene Harrington, Nipomo, California
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Michigan Cherry Pie

This tart Michigan cherry pie is delicious with the streusel topping but even better crowned with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Diane Selich, Vassar, Michigan
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Northwest Cherry Salsa

We have five cherry trees—and I like to use every bit of fruit that doesn't get eaten right off of them. We enjoy salsa on a variety of dishes, especially this turkey. —Margaret Slocum, Ridgefield, Washington
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Rhubarb-Cherry Chutney

I love surprising recipes like this chutney with rhubarb, apple and cherries. Try it with cream cheese and crackers or as a condiment for grilled chicken. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
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Cherry Pudding Cake

A cross between a cake and a cobbler, this cherry dessert is awesome. Add it to your list of trusty potluck recipes, because this one is sure to go fast. —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
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Cherry-Chicken Lettuce Wraps

I came up with this amazing recipe when I had a load of cherries on hand. My family polished them off fast, and asked for more. Luckily I had enough fruit to make them again the next day! —Melissa Barlow, Fruit Heights, Utah
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Chicken with Cherry Wine Sauce

My dad's a chef, so I learned to cook at an early age. This saucy chicken was the first dish I made by myself. —Ben Diaz, Azusa, California
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Chocolate-Cherry Ice Cream Cake

O say can you see this amazing dessert at your next gathering? I make it ahead of time and keep it in the freezer, wrapped in foil, for a week or so before serving.—Scarlett Elrod, Newnan, Georgia. If you enjoyed this cake, then you have got to try this cherry ice cream.
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Chunky Cherry & Peach Preserves

Out of all the jams I make, this is my grandmother’s favorite. She anxiously waits for late June to come because she knows I’ll put up as many batches as I can while peaches and cherries are at their peak. —Amy Seiger, McLoud, Oklahoma
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Cherry-Almond Streusel Tart

Brimming with fresh cherries and topped with a crunchy streusel, this tempting tart is a great way to end dinner on a sweet note. It's elegant, tastes delicious, and is so easy to make. —Marion Lee, Mount Hope, Ontario
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Cool Summertime Oatmeal

Start this breakfast the night before so you can get a few extra z's in the morning. My husband adds coconut to his, and I stir in dried fruit. —June Thomas, Chesterton, Indiana
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Pork Chops with Cherry Sauce

Enjoy the rich flavor of this pork chop dish. The spice rub also works well on lamb or beef. —Kendra Doss, Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Almond Tea Bread

My aunt brought her tea bread recipe with her from Scotland, and enjoying a fresh-baked loaf has become a family tradition during the holidays. Each slice is loaded with red cherries. —Kathleen Showers, Briggsdale, Colorado
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Berry Cherry Pie

A neighbor shared this pie with me years ago, and now it has a big fan club. I'm always looking for new treats to bake for my family, but this is one I turn to again and again, especially in summer. —Wanda Van Voorhis, Plain City, Ohio
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Berry-Cherry Peach Sauce

Fresh peaches and berries shine in this pretty, refreshing sauce. It’s terrific on ice cream, but also adds a sweet and tangy touch to pancakes, waffles or French toast at brunch. —Sandra Gould, Verndale, Minnesota
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Almond Cherry Cobbler

This bubbling cherry cobbler is one of my favorite dishes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. —Melissa Wagner, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
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Black Forest Icebox Cookies

These rich chocolate wafers are the perfect complement to the creamy filling's sweet-tart tones. Chill for up to four hours; any longer and the wafers get too soft to pick up with your hands. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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County Fair Cherry Pie

This cherry pie is so easy! I'm a teacher and a Navy wife, so simplicity and quickness are both mealtime musts at our house. —Claudia Youmans, Virginia Beach, Virginia
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Homemade Christmas Jam

A few years ago, I hit upon the idea of presenting family and friends with baskets of homemade jam as gifts. With cherries, cinnamon and cloves, this smells and tastes like Christmas! —Marilyn Reineman, Stockton, California