Easy Cherry Sauce Recipe (2024)

This homemade Cherry Sauce is loaded with sweet juicy cherries. Quick and easy to make, we love serving this cherry topping on Cheesecake, pancakes, waffles, vanilla ice cream, and pound cake. Cherry Sauce tastes like the filling for Cherry Pie.

Easy Cherry Sauce Recipe (1)

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Homemade Cherry Sauce Recipe:

Fruit toppings are the perfect complement to many desserts, and this Cherry Sauce definitely can’t be beaten. I find that cherries make the perfect fruit topping for decadent desserts like cheesecake because the tartness of the cherries balances the indulgence of the dessert.

Nothing beats homemade sauces, be sure to also try our Strawberry Sauce and our Caramel Sauce as toppings for desserts or breakfast foods like pancakes and waffles!

Easy Cherry Sauce Recipe (2)

How to Make Homemade Cherry Sauce:

This Cherry Sauce couldn’t be easier! All of the ingredients are cooked together in one saucepan and you are left with an irresistible sauce you’ll want to eat with a spoon!

  1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together water, lemon juice, cornstarch, and sugar.
  2. Put the saucepan over medium heat and stir until it starts to thicken. Add cherries and continue stirring occasionally until sauce is at a light uniform boil and has thickened.
  3. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.

Easy Cherry Sauce Recipe (3)

Should I Use Sweet or Tart Cherries?

I love making this sauce with sweet cherries. Using sweet cherries means less added sugar is needed – only about 2 tablespoons. Tart cherries also work very well for cherry sauce, however, if using tart cherries I recommend adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup of sugar (or add sugar to taste) so the sauce isn’t too tart.

Can I Use Fresh or Frozen Cherries?

This Cherry topping recipe is so versatile – either fresh or frozen cherries work. Fresh cherries are perfect in the summer at the peak of their growing season.

Frozen cherries are a great choice when fresh cherries are out of season and are typically pre-pitted which can save you the step of removing cherry pits. Keep in mind, frozen fruit release more juice so add a little less water with frozen cherries.

Easy Cherry Sauce Recipe (4)

Can This be Used as Cherry Pie Filling?

With a few modifications, this Cherry Sauce makes a delicious cherry pie filling! Simply double the recipe and add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to thicken the sauce to allow your cherry pie to set up more firmly.

Since the Cherry Sauce is usually served over a sweet dessert, we love that it is a little tangy. If you prefer a sweeter cherry pie filling, be sure to add a little more sugar to sweeten the mixture.

How to Store Cherry Topping:

If you have leftovers of this delicious Cherry Sauce or need to make it in advance, the sauce will store well in the fridge for about 3 days. Let the sauce cool completely to room temperature then store in a glass mason jar or Tupperware container. This recipe also freezes well for future use.

Easy Cherry Sauce Recipe (5)

Love Cherries? More Cherry Desserts:

  • Classic Cherry Pie – with the best crust
  • Cherry Upside-Down Cake – the fluffiest cake
  • Cherry Crumble – delicious almonds on top
  • Pineapple Cherry Dump Cake – quick and easy dessert

Easy Cherry Sauce

4.96 from 106 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Easy Cherry Sauce Recipe (7)

This quick and easy homemade Cherry Sauce is loaded with sweet juicy cherries. We love this cherry topping on cheesecake, waffles, ice cream, and cakes!

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Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 8 people (makes 2 1/2 cups)

  • 4 cups sweet cherries, (fresh or frozen), pitted*
  • 1/4 to 1/3 cup water
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 Tbsp sugar

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan (off the heat), add water (use 1/3 cup for fresh cherries and 1/4 cup water for frozen cherries). Whisk in 1 Tbsp cornstarch, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, and 2 Tbsp sugar.

  • Place over medium heat and whisk constantly until the mixture starts to thicken.

  • Add cherries and cook stirring occasionally until sauce is at a light boil (about 6-10 minutes for fresh cherries and 12-15 minutes for frozen). The sauce should be thickened and uniformly bubbling, not just at the edges, then remove from heat.

  • Cool to room temperature then cover and store in the refrigerator in a glass mason jar or Tupperware container until ready to use. It will thicken more as it stands.

Notes

*1 lb of stemmed and un-pitted cherries equals 2 1/2 to 3 cups of cherries, so you will need about 1 1/3 lbs of cherries.

Nutrition Per Serving

59kcal Calories15g Carbs1g Protein1g Fat1g Saturated Fat1mg Sodium153mg Potassium1g Fiber12g Sugar44IU Vitamin A6mg Vitamin C9mg Calcium1mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Easy Cherry Sauce

Amount per Serving

Calories

59

% Daily Value*

Fat

1

g

2

%

Saturated Fat

1

g

6

%

Sodium

1

mg

%

Carbohydrates

15

g

5

%

Fiber

1

g

4

%

Sugar

12

g

13

%

Protein

1

g

2

%

Vitamin A

44

IU

1

%

Vitamin C

6

mg

7

%

Calcium

9

mg

1

%

Iron

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Dessert, Sauce

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cherry sauce

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 59

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Natasha Kravchuk

Easy Cherry Sauce Recipe (8)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Easy Cherry Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is cherry sauce made of? ›

Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in a saucepan. Stir in water. Add the cherries and cook until thick and bubbly.

What can I do with overripe cherries? ›

Use as a topping for grilled meats and fish.

Overripe fruit, if it hasn't lost all of its juice, can still impart some good flavor to a sauce. Chop it into small bits (or whiz it in a blender) and add it to some chicken stock and balsamic vinegar to make a glaze or sauce for meat.

Can I use canned cherries instead of fresh? ›

If you are substituting canned cherries for fresh, you may need to drain or rinse off the syrup before proceeding. Dried cherries, usually made from sour cherries, are called for in recipes for cookies, savory, cold weather meaty dishes, and fall and winter salads.

How do you make cherries sweeter? ›

Place 4 cups of cherries in a saucepan and cook on medium, covered, for 15 minutes, and stir the cherries often. In a bowl, mix together a cup of sugar and a 1/4 cup of cornstarch. Add that to the cherry juice, stirring.

What is a glazed cherry called? ›

Maraschino cherries are a popular topping for ice cream sundaes and used in certain co*cktails or as garnishes for foods like glazed ham, parfaits, milkshakes, cakes, and pastries.

Is glazed cherries the same as candied cherries? ›

Most people consider glazed or frosted cherries to be synonymous with candied cherries and, although they are very similar, there are differences between them that you need to know, as their taste, texture and appearance convey different effects when used in confectionery.

Is it OK to eat old cherries? ›

1) Bruised Fruits

If the majority of the fruit is 'squishy', extremely discolored, has a foul odor, or the skin is wrinkling or peeling away with the slightest touch, the fruit is should most likely not be eaten.

Is it safe to eat cherries off the tree? ›

All cherries are edible although some can be very sharp and sour. The seeds or pips of the cherry are poisonous and should not be consumed. It is best to remove the pips before cooking cherries for any recipe.

Is it OK to eat overripe cherries? ›

Avoid cherries that are small, bruised, have cuts or a dark surface, soft, wrinkled skin, leaking and sticky, or that have any visible signs of decay.

How many cherries should you eat a day? ›

For example, children and adolescents, as they are growing, need a sufficient amount of nutrients and calories to develop properly and a consumption of between 10 and 15 cherries a day is recommended. In the case of adults, they can consume between 15 and 20 cherries a day, or even 25, depending on each person.

How many cups is 1lb of cherries? ›

Cherry Math:

1 pound of fresh sweet cherries = 3 cups whole = 1½ cups pitted.

Can I put cherries in a mason jar? ›

Pit and stem all the cherries. Stuff as many cherries as you can into a warm, quart sized mason jar, leaving about an half-inch of room at the top of the jar (cherries/water will expand once frozen.)

What enhances the flavor of cherries? ›

Lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, or a splash of vinegar (such as balsamic or apple cider vinegar) can provide a tangy and complementary note. Infuse with Flavor: Enhance the flavor profile of the cherries by infusing the marinade with additional complementary flavors.

What flavor enhances cherry? ›

Boost cherry recipes with almond extract – often made using cherry pits, it enhances the natural flavour of the fruit.

What can I do with tasteless cherries? ›

You could pit and dehydrate them. This will help intensify any flavor that they might have. Before using, I would soak them in brandy and simple syrup. At my house, truly awful fruit goes into the compost bin.

What is cherry liqueur made from? ›

Cherry liqueur is sweetened and can be made with any type of spirit base. Brandy is the most common, so cherry liqueur is often called cherry brandy. Then there's kirsch or kirschwasser, which is an unsweetened eau de vie distilled from cherries. But sometimes kirsch is called cherry brandy.

What is the cherry on top made of? ›

Maraschino cherries of today are often made from sweet cherries like Royal Ann or Rainier cherries. They are often soaked in salt brine to remove natural coloring then soaked in sugar syrup and food coloring. The cherries often still have a stem but are always pitted.

What is cherry puree made of? ›

Fresh cherries simmered with fresh lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice. Softened cherries processed smooth in food processor. Cherry puree simmered a few minutes longer to thicken.

What does cherry taste like? ›

Sweet and sour with a hint of almond. Pie cherries are paler in colour and are quite sour. Black or Bing cherries are dark red or almost purple and very sweet. Wild cherries usually have thinner flesh and are dry tasting.

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