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.
RELATED: 35 Fresh Peach Recipes to Try This Summer
This French baked custard is the perfect end to an alfresco dinner.
When the forecast says 90, who wants to turn on an oven? Luckily, you don’t have to.
If it’s in a skillet, we’ll eat it. Sweeten the deal with a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
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.)
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.)
Make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the fridge for ice cream emergencies.
We guarantee this is just as decadent as the dessert from your childhood—if not more.
Sour cherries work best in this pie (and it’s OK to use frozen or canned), but sweet ones will work in a pinch.
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.
The sauce is tangy, sweet and just spicy enough. Plus, it’s simple to make in your slow cooker.
Lime, chipotle and cherries are a grilling dream team.
How to improve on a classic? Make it pretty and portable (and acceptable for breakfast).
This dish is light, filling and refreshing—exactly what summer lunches call for.
Would you believe us if we told you they’re gluten-free and vegan? (Thanks, Coterie member Monique Volz.)
A semifreddo is kind of like ice cream (the name means “half cold” in Italian), but it’s way easier to make at home.
But if you do want to go the homemade ice-cream route, this flavor can’t be beat.
Cocktail party for one, coming right up.
The tartness of the fruit is an ideal complement to the rich, tender cake.
The tartness of the fruit is an ideal complement to the rich, tender cake.
The only thing better than ripe cherries is ripe cherries and peaches. We won’t be sharing this one.
Reap the benefits of this antioxidant-rich salad, courtesy of Monique Volz.
PureWow Coterie member Maria Lichty knows that topping a bed of greens with fruit is always a good idea.
It’s five ingredients, dairy-free and just what we crave for breakfast.
The crunch factor on this dish is extremely high, and we’re not mad about it at all.
Ten ingredients, 30 minutes and you’re on your way to a Big Salad.
We’ve died and gone to pie heaven.
A tart twist on a classic. Bonus points if you grew the basil yourself.
Any summer fruit would work here (peaches, plums, nectarines), but cherries are our favorite.
This ice cream has a secret. (Psst: It’s made with coconut milk.)
Is it breakfast or dessert? It doesn’t matter; it’s delicious.
This is a fruit salad like you’ve never seen before.
Bananas are sooo last season. Since cherries and almonds are related (fun fact), they complement each other to a T.
We’re never making regular crust again. (Just kidding. Kind of.)
RELATED: Plums Are Officially in Season (and Here’s What to Make with Them)
