What makes this cherry sauce recipe better than the average is that doesn’t have any added sugar. Cherries provide the sweetness naturally!
As we all know because I’ve been pounding it into everyone’s heads by saying it over and over, I love cherries. Love. I wish I could eat them year round.
“But you would get sick of them,” you say.
I don’t think it’s possible for me to get sick of this delicious fruit.
I love extending the season by making as many recipes with cherries as I can. That includes cherry cosmos, infused vodka and one of my favorite desserts, cherry rhubarb crisp.
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Helpful tips
- Wash your cherries before using them. Here’s how: Put as many cherries as you want in a wire strainer and run water on them. Pull off all the stems and place them in the sink. Grab a handful of cherries, squeeze a small amount of natural, non-scented foaming soap (I buy mine from Whole Foods) on top, gently roll them together in your hands, and set them in the strainer. Continue until all the cherries have been washed and then run water over them, gently rolling them between your hands again to get the soap off.
- I use a cherry pitter to pit the cherries. It’s a wonderful gadget that makes it fast and easy to get the pit out.
- To protect your clothing, don an apron before using the cherry pitter because the juice tends to splatter.
- Since cherries are naturally sweet, I don’t add any sweetener to this cherry sauce. Make it like this to see what you think before adding additional sweetener.
How to make cherry sauce
Pre-step
Measure out 4 cups of cherries, get your cherry pitter and saucepan.
Step one
Remove the stems, wash the cherries (see helpful tips) and pit them.
See what a fabulous job the pitter does?
Step two
Add cherries and water to the pan.
Step three
Turn the heat to medium under the saucepan and once it starts to boil, set the timer for 10 minutes.
Now, I take one of my other favorite gadgets, the pastry blender and smush the cooked cherries. Sometimes I leave some of the cherries whole just because I like my sauce that way.
But this time I mash them thoroughly. Just know, the more you mash them, the juicier your sauce gets.
I scoop the sauce into a jar and let it cool on the counter.
Now, for the vertical shot of the cherry sauce!
I wanted to include an old photo that shows the what the sauce looks like when you leave a bunch of the cherries whole.
I love it both ways but this time around, I knew I was going to use the cherry sauce in some baked goods and I wanted them to not have big chunks of cherries.
I hope you enjoyed this cherry sauce recipe. It is so good dribbled over cheesecake, ice cream, yogurt or anything else you can think of!!
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
If you’ve tried this or any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Not Your Average Cherry Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 cups bing cherries washed, pitted and de-stemmed
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Place pitted cherries and water in a medium saucepan and heat it on medium
- Once it comes to a boil, cook it for 10 minutes
- Take a masher and mash most of the cherries into a sauce. I leave some whole
- Pour into a jar and let cool on your counter for 2 hours. Or you can eat it warm
- Spoon on some cheesecake
- Eat
- Smile
- Enjoy
Equipment
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Originally published in July of 2017.
Dahn
this sounds so perfect, it really lets the flavor of the cherries shine through, love it!
Elaine
It really does Dahn!
Dana Sandonato
This looks oh-so-dreamy! I’m a sucker for cherry-flavored EVERYTHING. I also love the idea of that pitter — how efficient! I’m telling you though, when I get around to making this one, day, I’ll be eating with by the spoonful!
Elaine
Hehe. Me too Dana!
Ginny McMeans
This is heaven and I want to use a spoon and have a little bit of that straight fro the jar!
Elaine
Me too Ginny! And I did! 🙂
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
Cherries are a real treat for me. Growing up, my Mom rarely bought them because they were so much more expensive than apples and bananas — we were on a budget. Now when I buy them — I practically hoard them all to myself because I so seldom had them as a kid. This sauce sounds amazing!
Elaine
Thank you Lisa!!
Emily
This cherry sauce looks to die for I’d love it over ice cream or just out of the jar ha!
Elaine
Hehe Emily!
Chris
Hahaha! Funny (tragic?) story. Photos so delish I could eat them. Another great post, Lainey!!
Elaine
Thanks Chris! 🙂
Gloria
Yes cherry season is here. What a great way to preserve them for use down the road. This is a great food gift too.
Elaine
It is Gloria! I love this sauce even on toast. 🙂
Daniela
That’s a great recipe and it doesn’t contain sugar. I will try it for my next cheesecake!
Elaine
It’s so delicious on cheesecake Daniela! Thank you for your comment.
Chef Dennis
Ooooh I love cherries! I am so glad that you use the natural sweetness of cherries. I can’t wait to have this on my cheesecake.
Elaine
Thanks Dennis, you’re going to enjoy it, I’m sure! 🙂
Georgina @ Culinary Travels
The next time I get some cherries I’m making this. I’d like to think I’d use it in a dessert but I think I’ll just end up eating it from the jar! It looks so good.
Elaine
Thanks Georgina! I tend to put it on yogurt or eat it from the jar. Hub puts it on toast. 🙂
Paige
I will totally try this on my yogurt! Sounds like such a great idea!
Elaine
It’s so delicious on yogurt Paige. I hope you enjoy it.
Denise
Oh this sauce looks incredible! I can’t wait to make it, I love cherries!
Elaine
Me too. It’s my favorite fruit. Rhubarb is my second fav. Thank you Denise.
Tara
We had this cherry sauce drizzled over cheesecake this weekend. You are right, the sauce doesn’t need any sweetener. It’s perfect the way it is!
Elaine
I’m so pleased to hear that Tara! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
Tammy
I love how simple this is and how versatile too! Perfect for both sweet and savory dishes…a perfect seasonal recipe to try!
Elaine
Thanks Tammy. I love this sauce and I agree on the versatility of it.
Eileen Kelly
What a wonderful sauce. It is so easy to make and you are right, perfect with a cheesecake. I also wasn’t this on some homemade vanilla ice cream,yummy.
Elaine
It’s perfect on vanilla ice cream for sure. Thank you Eileen! I appreciate your comment.
Alena
I’ll be going cherry picking soon and I’m already excited to make this cherry tips. Your tips are so helpful too – especially about the pitting and wearing an apron – that’s going to save me big time!
Elaine
I learned the hard way (about the apron). 🙂 Thanks Alena! I hope you enjoy the sauce and I wish I could go cherry picking.
Jo
So luscious. Love thsi vibrant sauce with almost everything! Oh I love it so much drizzled on my yogurt!
Elaine
I’m so glad to hear that Jo! That’s my favorite way to eat it.