Fresh Cherry Sauce
User Reviews
4.5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
159 kcal
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Course
Dessert, Condiments
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Cuisine
American
Fresh Cherry Sauce
Description
Fresh cherries are combined with sugar, lemon juice, fine salt, and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan, then simmered until the sauce thickens and sticks to the spoon. The thickening time varies depending on cherry variety and moisture content but generally ranges from 3 to 15 minutes.
The sugar dissolves during simmering, sweetening the sauce while lemon juice adds brightness and depth. Fine sea salt balances flavors, and cornstarch acts as a thickener, giving the sauce body. Once off heat, Grand Marnier or brandy may be stirred in to introduce a subtle liqueur note.
This versatile sauce works well as a topping for desserts like ice cream or pound cake, or as an accompaniment to savory dishes where fruity acidity is welcome.
Frozen cherries are a suitable substitute though they require longer simmering. Arrowroot starch can replace cornstarch if preferred without affecting the thickening process significantly.
Ingredients
- 1 pound cherries stems removed and pitted, fresh, about 3 cups
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon salt fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or brandy
Instructions
- Heat the cherries, sugar, lemon juice, fine sea salt and cornstarch in a heavy bottom saucepan over medium heat.
- Continue to simmer and stir until sauce starts to thicken and becomes sticky, this can vary greatly depending on the type of cherry and the water content. When the sauce is thick and sticks to the spoon, it is done. If it gets too thick, add a small amount of water or cherry liqueur to thin it out. Aim for at least 3 minutes to allow sugar to dissolve. This process can take 3-15 minutes.
- Remove the cherry sauce from the heat.
- If adding liqueur, stir in now.
- If you try this recipe, make sure to come back and let us know how you enjoyed it in the comments or star ratings.
Notes
- Frozen cherries can be used but require longer simmering to thicken the sauce.
- Arrowroot starch is an alternative thickener to cornstarch for this sauce.
- Cook time varies widely; watch for thickening and spoon-stickiness as doneness cues.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 159 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 159kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Sodium | 49mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 167mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 33g | 66% |
| Vitamin A | 50IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 6.3mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 10mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.3mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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