Picture it: a sun-dappled kitchen counter, an open window, a cool breeze and a bowl full of ripe, sweet cherries waiting to be eaten. Summer means cherry season, and whether you prefer Bing cherries (those are the red ones), Rainiers (the sweet, blush-yellow varietal) or sour ones, here are 33 cherry recipes that let the stone fruit shine.
33 Cherry Recipes to Make While They’re at Peak Juiciness
1. Cherry Clafoutis
This French baked custard is the perfect end to an alfresco dinner.
2. Slow-cooker Cherry Cobbler
When the forecast says 90, who wants to turn on an oven? Luckily, you don’t have to.
3. Easy Cherry Skillet Cake
If it’s in a skillet, we’ll eat it. Sweeten the deal with a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
4. 20-minute Burrata Salad With Stone Fruit And Asparagus
This recipe is almost no-cook and won’t wilt when you set it out for dinner on the patio. (And it has burrata, so no complaints here.)
5. Meatballs In Sour Cherry Sauce
Sour cherries are only come around for a few weeks out of the year, which makes them extra special. (Can’t find any? Use frozen.)
6. Grilled Pineapple Split Sundae With Cherry Sauce
Make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for ice cream emergencies.
7. Vegan Black Forest Cherry Cake
We guarantee this is just as decadent as the dessert from your childhood—if not more.
8. Ginger Cherry Pie
Sour cherries work best in this pie (and it’s OK to use frozen or canned), but sweet ones will work in a pinch.
9. Johnnycakes With Rhubarb And Sour Cherries
A Johnnycake is a Southern-style, cornmeal-based pancake. The sauce calls for jarred cherries but you might as well use fresh when they’re in season.
10. Pulled Pork With Sour Cherry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
The sauce is tangy, sweet and just spicy enough. Plus, it’s simple to make in your slow cooker.
11. Chipotle Grilled Pork Tenderloin With Fresh Cherry Salsa
Lime, chipotle and cherries are a grilling dream team.
12. Simple Cherry Pastry Pies
How to improve on a classic? Make it pretty and portable (and acceptable for breakfast).
13. Cherry Couscous And Arugula Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette
This dish is light, filling and refreshing—exactly what summer lunches call for.
14. Tart Cherry Pie Bars With Oatmeal Crumble
Would you believe us if we told you they’re gluten-free and vegan? (Thanks, Coterie member Monique Volz.)
15. Cherry Semifreddo With An Orange-cherry Compote
A semifreddo is kind of like ice cream (the name means “half cold” in Italian), but it’s way easier to make at home.
16. Rainier Cherry Ice Cream
But if you do want to go the homemade ice-cream route, this flavor can’t be beat.
17. Garden Cherry Bourbon Smash
Cocktail party for one, coming right up.
18. Cherry-hazelnut Galette
The tartness of the fruit is an ideal complement to the rich, tender cake.
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19. Olive Oil Cornmeal Cake With Sour Cherries
The tartness of the fruit is an ideal complement to the rich, tender cake.
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20. Cherry And Peach Panzanella
The only thing better than ripe cherries is ripe cherries and peaches. We won’t be sharing this one.
21. Sweet Potato Quinoa Salad With Cherries, Goat Cheese And Candied Walnuts
Reap the benefits of this antioxidant-rich salad, courtesy of Monique Volz.
22. Balsamic Grilled Cherry, Blueberry, Goat Cheese, And Candied Hazelnut Salad
PureWow Coterie member Maria Lichty knows that topping a bed of greens with fruit is always a good idea.
23. Cherry Limeade Smoothie
It’s five ingredients, dairy-free and just what we crave for breakfast.
24. Sunflower Seed, Kale And Cherry Salad With Savory Granola
The crunch factor on this dish is extremely high, and we’re not mad about it at all.
25. Mustard Green Cherry Salad With Nut Cheese And Tahini Dressing
Ten ingredients, 30 minutes and you’re on your way to a Big Salad.
26. Vanilla Stone Fruit Tart With Cinnamon Sugar Crust
We’ve died and gone to pie heaven.
27. Cherry Caprese Salad With Toasted Almonds And Smoked Sea Salt
A tart twist on a classic. Bonus points if you grew the basil yourself.
28. Grilled Cherry Flatbread
Any summer fruit would work here (peaches, plums, nectarines), but cherries are our favorite.
29. Vegan Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream
This ice cream has a secret. (Psst: It’s made with coconut milk.)
30. Cherry, Pistachio And Balsamic Honey Yogurt
Is it breakfast or dessert? It doesn’t matter; it’s delicious.
31. Cherry, Mint And Wheatberry Salad
This is a fruit salad like you’ve never seen before.
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32. Cherry And Almond Quick Bread
Bananas are sooo last season. Since cherries and almonds are related (fun fact), they complement each other to a T.
33. Gluten-free Fresh Cherry Pretzel Tart
We’re never making regular crust again. (Just kidding. Kind of.)