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    Home » Desserts

    Cherry Sauce

    Published: Dec 23, 2019 · Modified: May 10, 2022 by Marcellina

    1.2K shares
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    Cherry sauce in white bowl with cherries scattered around, spoonful of sauce beside bowl
    two images with text inbetween - top image fresh cherries, cut lemon, sugar, metal spoon and cornstarch viewed from above - bottom image Cherry sauce in white bowl with cherries scattered around, spoonful of sauce beside bowl

    Cherry Sauce using only 5 ingredients is easy to make at home in just 10 minutes! Perfect to use for cakes, cheesecakes, ice cream, pancakes, waffles or any dessert.

    Cherry sauce in white bowl with cherries scattered around, spoonful of sauce beside bowl.

    I can never pass up on dessert, can you? But when a dessert has fruit in it, it feels almost good for you!

    Using the best fruits of the season to make desserts like a tangy Raspberry Compote or Poached Pears in red wine means a truly sweet ending to a meal.

    This Cherry Sauce is simple, quick and easy and a great topper for lots of desserts.

    Ingredients

    This sauce is so simple and needs only 5 ingredients.

    1. Cherries - fresh or frozen
    2. Sugar
    3. Cornstarch (cornflour)
    4. Lemon juice
    5. Almond extract

    Plus water if you think of that as an ingredient!

    Fresh cherries, sugar, cut lemon, metal spoon and cornstarch on wooden board viewed from above.

    Instructions

    • Bring cherries, sugar, and water to a simmer.
    • Mix cornstarch (cornflour) with water in a small bowl.
    • Thicken cherries mixture with cornstarch slurry.
    • Cook until thick and clear about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat then stir in lemon juice and almond extract.
    • Pour into a small bowl to cool or glass jar to store in the refrigerator.
    Cherries and liquid in a pot with white cornstarch slurry in black bowl and metal spoon beside viewed from above.

    Can I use canned cherries?

    Yes, it's even more simple if you use canned cherries. The juice in the canned cherries is substituted for the water, lemon juice, and sugar. To make Cherry sauce with canned cherries here's what you do.

    1. Use two 15 ounce/415 gram cans of pitted black cherries in syrup.
    2. Heat in a saucepan until simmering.
    3. Add cornstarch/cornflour slurry as per the original recipe.
    4. Thicken and continue as per the original recipe.

    This Easy Cherry Sauce is perfect for so many desserts!

    There are so many uses for delicious sauces. Use this sauce over cakes, cheesecakes, ice cream, pancakes, waffles or any dessert. This Homemade Cherry sauce is perfect in trifles like my individual Trifle Dessert Cups.

    Before I have talked about the many lemon curd uses and similar things apply for this cherry sauce. I also like to spoon it over my yoghurt and gluten free granola for breakfast.

    Cherry sauce in white bowl with cherries scattered around, spoonful of sauce beside bowl.

    Cherry Sauce is so simple to make especially if you keep frozen pitted cherries in the freezer. You'll never be without a delicious dessert in minutes. Simply prepared this easy sauce and spoon it over ice cream.

    More recipes you'll love

    Blueberry Compote
    Strawberry Jam Recipe
    Sweet Ricotta Dip 
    Strawberry Coulis
    Trifle Desserts with Mascarpone and Cherries

    Made this recipe?
    Let me know if you liked it by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating and a review below. Please share a photo of your creation by tagging me on Instagram @marcellina.in.cucina!

    Cherry sauce in white bowl with cherries scattered around, spoonful of sauce beside bowl

    Cherry Sauce Recipe

    Cherry Sauce using only 5 ingredients is easy to make at home using either fresh or frozen cherries. Perfect to use for cakes, cheesecakes, ice cream, pancakes, waffles or any dessert.

    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings:6 people with cake, icecream or other dessert
    Author: Marcellina

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups fresh or frozen pitted cherries
    • ½ cup sugar
    • ½ cup water
    • 6 teaspoons cornstarch (cornflour)
    • 2 tablespoons water
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon almond extract optional
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    Instructions

    • Place cherries, sugar and water into a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer.
    • Simmer for 2 minutes (if using fresh cherries you may need a few more minutes to slightly soften the cherries)
    • Mix cornstarch (cornflour) with water in a small bowl.
    • Lower the heat on the cherries, then pour in the cornstarch and water stirring all the time.
    • Increase heat to a simmer.
    • Cook until thick and clear about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and the almond extract (if using).
    • Pour into a small bowl to cool or glass jar to store in the refrigerator

    Notes

    Using canned cherries.

    Yes, it's even more simple if you use canned cherries. The juice in the canned cherries is substituted for the water, lemon juice, and sugar. To make Cherry sauce with canned cherries here's what you do.
    1. Use two 15ounce cans/415gram of pitted black cherries in syrup.
    2. Heat in a saucepan until simmering.
    3. Add cornstarch/cornflour slurry as per the original recipe.
    4. Thicken and continue as per the original recipe.

    Nutritional Information Per Serving

    Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 102mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 29IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For accurate results, it is recommended that the nutritional information be calculated based on the ingredients and brands you use.

    Tried this recipe? I'd love to see!Mention @marcellina.in.cucina or tag #marcellinaincucina

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    1. Amy

      April 27, 2022 at 3:13 pm

      I see lemon juice and almond extract mentioned in your write up but the lemon juice isn’t listed in the ingredients and neither of these ingredients are listed in the directions. Would you clarify please? I’m excited to make this for a cheesecake topping! ???????? It sounds delicious!

      Reply
      • Marcellina

        April 27, 2022 at 5:42 pm

        Hi Amy, I've updated the post. Hope this helps. This sauce is so wonderful with cheesecake. Remember to let it cool completely before topping the cheesecake. Then refrigerate until cold.

        Reply
    2. Jeff the Chef

      January 03, 2020 at 12:56 am

      What a great recipe! I'm sure I could find many uses for this Cherry sauce.
      ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆ ★ ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆
      ╔╗╔╦══╦═╦═╦╗╔╗ ★ ★ ★
      ║╚╝║══║═║═║╚╝║ ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆
      ║╔╗║╔╗║╔╣╔╩╗╔╝ ★ NEW YEAR ☆
      ╚╝╚╩╝╚╩╝╚╝═╚╝ ♥¥☆★☆★☆¥♥ ★☆ ♥♥♥

      Reply
    3. Sylvie

      December 23, 2019 at 11:56 am

      5 stars
      It think that that is my dream sauce! I love anything cherries and love the idea of keeping full cherries in there. So easy and delicious - I can imagine so many different ways to use it!

      Reply
      • Marcellina

        December 23, 2019 at 3:28 pm

        I think so too, Sylvie! I've been making this sauce for years with canned cherries. I've only recently branched out to use fresh and frozen cherries. The bonus is that we can make this sauce year round!

        Reply

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