Canned Cherries
Quick, glossy cherry topping made from canned cherries—perfect for spooning over cheesecake, yogurt, or pastries.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 can 15–21 oz canned cherries
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ cup water or reserved cherry juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or almond extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Zest of ½ lemon or orange
- Splash of cherry liqueur or brandy
Instructions
Drain (if needed):
- If using canned cherries in juice, drain and reserve ¼ cup of the liquid.
- If using cherry pie filling, you can skip the draining and reduce the added sugar.
Make a slurry:
- In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with ¼ cup water (or reserved juice) until smooth and lump-free.
Heat the cherries:
- Pour the canned cherries into a medium saucepan.
- Add ¼ cup sugar (adjust if cherries are already sweet) and a pinch of salt.
- Stir to combine.
Simmer:
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
Thicken:
- Re-whisk the cornstarch slurry, then slowly pour it into the simmering cherries while stirring.
- Continue to stir and cook for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
Add finishing flavors:
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon lemon juice and ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract.
- Optional: Stir in 1 tablespoon butter for extra smoothness.
Cool and serve:
- Let the cherry topping cool slightly. Serve warm or refrigerate for later use.
Notes
Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Approximate)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 110 kcal |
| Total Fat | 0.2g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 27g |
| Sugars | 22g |
| Protein | 1g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sodium | 20mg |
Note: Nutrition values may vary depending on the type of canned cherries used.