Life

15 Cherry Recipes To Help You Celebrate National Cherry Month Right

When you think of cherries — and subsequently, delicious fresh cherry recipes — you probably think of hot summer days, warm nights, beach days, and barbecues out in the sun. I know I can't be the only one who is reminded of summer every time I see a cherry. Here in North America, cherries are in season during the warmer months, and maybe that's why it seems like such a summer fruit.

But, in a weird twist of events, February is actually National Cherry Month. Yes, February, the coldest and most brutal month of the entire year, is the month someone out there chose to be a time for celebrating cherries. I'm not complaining: cherries are a deliciously sweet and tart fruit that can be eaten so many different ways. Why not take advantage of this month to eat them in any way you can?

But forget about cliche cherry desserts like cherry pie or cherry ice cream or cherry cheesecake. There is so much more you can do with this fruit! These 15 recipes are proof of that, and they also make an excellent case for why you should start eating cherries all the time — not just in February or during the summer. Enjoy!

Image: Kitchen Confidante

Cherry Rosemary Sea Salt Focaccia

One of the best combos is salty and sweet, so this bread makes total sense. The cherries lend a nice taste to this salty bread, so much so that you won’t even need to add anything else to it.

Recipe and Photo: A Cozy Kitchen

Cherry Hand Pies

You know those little cherry pies you can buy in the store? Yeah, these are way better than those. Buttery, flakey, and sweet, they’re perfect whether you’re eating them fresh out of the oven or cold.

Recipe and Photo: Deliciously Yum

Fresh Cherry and Dark Chocolate Chunk Scones

Oh my goodness. Have you ever seen scones look so delicious in your life? This would probably make for the most decadent brunch or breakfast ever.

Recipe and Photo: How Sweet It Is

Cornmeal Cakes with Cherry Compote

Impress your family, friends, significant other, or just yourself with this brunch recipe. You can use this cherry compote for anything — put it on ice cream for dessert.

Recipe and Photo: Offbeat and Inspired

Roasted Cherry Couscous and Brie Stuffed Poblano Peppers

If you’re trying to impress someone with a meal, make this. It’s different and unique — whoever thought to mix cherries with poblano peppers and brie was a genius.

Recipe and Photo: Half-Baked Harvest

Cherry, Banana, and Muesli Muffins

Make a batch of these muffins on a Sunday night so that you can grab one for breakfast every morning. Just kidding, you’ll probably finish these in one night. Or by Monday night, by the latest.

Recipe and Photo: Sugar et Al

Cherry Pierogies

It’s hard to believe that anything could make a pierogi better, but if I had to guess, I would say cherries and sugar could. This is such a different dessert option.

Recipe and Photo: Natasha’s Kitchen

Fresh Cherry Wine Sauce

This is a sauce made of cherries and wine. Make it. Put it on ice cream. Put it on cookies. Eat it out of the bowl with a spoon. Eat it with everything. Immediately.

Recipe and Photo: Kitchen Confidante

Pistachio Biscotti with Kirsch-Soaked Dried Cherries

Sometimes you just need a biscotti with your coffee in the morning… or afternoon… or, you know, in place of dinner. In that case, make these.

Recipe and Photo: Food and Style

Butternut Squash and Tart Cherry Quinoa

Cherry makes a great addition to a salad, and it also goes well with squash. Add in some quinoa, and you’ve got a healthy, filling meal.

Recipe and Photo: Love and Lemons

Cherry Lemon Rosemary Shortbread Cookies

You usually don’t think of mixing cherries with rosemary, but the sweetness of the fruit with this spice leads to a pleasing combination — especially in the form of a shortbread cookie.

Recipe and Photo: Willow Bird Baking

Roasted Cherry Bourbon Milkshake with Hot Fudge

In case you were thinking you can’t have a cold milkshake in the middle of a cold winter, let me introduce you to this recipe. It looks amazing and perfect and is basically everything wonderful.

Recipe and Photo: How Sweet It Is

Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Rangoon

Cherries shine in a sauce perfect for dipping your shrimp rangoon into. This is a great dinner recipe for a weekend when you have time to experiment.

Recipe and Photo: Savory Sweet Life

Cherry Couscous Salad

One easy way to eat cherries is to add them into a salad. It’s a refreshing and sweet addition to couscous, and mixed with spinach, almonds, and chickpeas, it makes a great vegetarian entree for lunch or dinner.

Recipe and Photo: A Cozy Kitchen

Cherry Ginger Bourbon Fizz

Cherry and bourbon are a perfect mix, and they make a perfect drink for a cold winter night. The spiciness of ginger is a great addition.

Recipe and Photo: Climbing Grier Mountain

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