Amaretto cherries are one of those things that costs a fortune at the delicacy store. Generally, they are also sold out during the holiday season because they're an excellent addition to many festive dishes. Little do people know, that they can make them from scratch in their own kitchens.
Here’s the added value of making Amaretto cherries from scratch. First of all, they won’t contain any additives or preservatives as you know exactly what’s going into the recipe. Second of all, you can make a large batch at no extra cost as compared to purchasing a jar at full retail value.
Thirdly, Amaretto cherries have an excellent storage life. So you can just open up a jar whenever you feel like you need a topping to a homemade ice cream recipe or homemade pâté. Lastly and most importantly, you get to keep the bottle of booze (which can also keep forever if stored properly in a cool place).
So, as you can see, there is definitely something to making homemade Amaretto cherries. If you get questions on where you’ve managed to source such an excellent jar of boozy cherries, you can proudly refer them to your new favourite Amaretto cherry recipe! Enjoy and let me know how it works out for you.
products you need for this recipe
Here’s a list of the top products you need to know about when it comes to these flavourful and boozy Amaretto cherries:- Amaretto Disaranno – Amaretto cherries wouldn’t be the same if you didn’t have a bottle of this delicious alcohol
- Cointreau – another delicious and fruity alcohol that works well in enhancing the flavour of cherries
- Rum – rum cherries are also an excellent idea, although the flavour of rum hit the cherries on a much stronger note as compared to the flavour of the Amaretto cherries (this is because rum has a much higher alcohol volume)
- Boozy cherries – you can purchase a jar of Amaretto cherries if you don’t have much time to make them (go for a premium jar – typically they don’t contain additives or conservants)
- Storage clip top jars – you can store and serve the cherries in these storage clip top jars (they are airtight and prevent any leakage)
Amaretto cherries recipe
An Amaretto cherries recipe is to die for. The cherries take on a lovely booze-infused flavour that’s not overpowering. Moreover, the addition of the alcohol helps preserve the cherries, hence extending their shelf live. If you decide to go for some delicious Amaretto cherries, then you will not regret making your own this year. In fact, I have a feeling that you might also be tempted by my exceptional brandied pears recipe.
Let me know if you stuck to the alcohol in this recipe or if you decided to go for another type of alcohol. I’d love to know.
Which cherries are best for preserving?
In essence, sweet and sour cherries work well for jams, sauces and preserves. The same goes for this Amaretto cherries recipe. Nevertheless, first of all, it’s all about the selection of the cherries. If you go to the supermarket, make sure you select cherries which are not discoloured in any way. Keep an eye out for browning. This means that the cherries are old and are in fact decomposing.
In case you are wondering about specific cherries for this cherry recipe, there are a couple I can recommend:
- Lambert cherries – large and firm cherries (best in baking because they hold well)
- Picotta cherries – firm, large and full-flavoured (perfect for Amaretto cherries)
- Tulare cherries – more tart (not as sweet)
- Bing cherries – these are the most popular variety of sweet cherries (also excellent for making Amaretto cherries)
- Lapins cherries – these are quite dark and sweet (hard to find in the store)
By all means, avoid the Rainier cherries for this recipe. They won’t provide you with that dark red colour you are looking for.
Drunken cherries
Amaretto cherries can also be called drunken cherries as they do have a substantial amount of alcohol in them. Hence, this is an adult-only recipe. Don’t serve this to minors who are under the legal drinking age.
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Nevertheless, alcohol has been used for making desserts for centuries. Here are just a few examples of delicious desserts which are made with alcohol:
- Malva pudding - a traditional South African dessert which is irresistible
- Cherry brandy torte - you can use the Amaretto cherries as a topping for this rich brandy torte
- Amarula cheesecake - a delicious cheesecake recipe with the addition of Africa’s famous liqueur made from the marula fruit
- Brandy snaps - layer up your brandy snaps with the cherries
How to use Amaretto cherries
There are plenty of methods when it comes to using and enjoying Amaretto cherries. You can pair them with both savoury and sweet recipes.
Savoury
- Chicken liver and roast butternut squash pâté - the flavour of cherry and liver pairs perfectly
- Mushroom & Black Garlic Pâté - the Amaretto cherries will lighten up this starter
- Venison steak with blackberry sauce - use the cherries in the sauce instead of the blackberries
However, my favourite way of enjoying this recipe is with cheese. Especially goat’s cheese! It’s not uncommon to serve the cherries with a savoury cheese platter.
Sweet
- Creamy apple salad with pecans and dried cherries – toss the Amaretto cherries in
- Baked goods – you can use it with these cherry brownies , this cherry crumble pie , or this cherry bakewell cake
- Ice creams – use it as a topping for ice creams such as this tin roof ice cream or this Ferrero Rocher ice cream
Amaretto cherry liqueur
If you have leftovers, then add more of the Amaretto and dilute the cherries with a bit of water. Next, blend them together and pass them through the sieve.
You’ll be left with a delicious Amaretto cherry liqueur which you can use to spice up these festive cocktails below:
- Christmas gin cocktail recipe
- Toblerone cocktail
- Long beach iced tea
- Don pedro drink
- Ginger beer and gin cocktail
- boiled custard
How would you enjoy these Amaretto cherries? Let me know in the comments section below.
Print📖 Recipe
Amaretto Cherries
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Description
Learn how to make Amaretto cherries. The recipe also works with rum, cointreau and other types of alcohol. Best served with vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
- 375ml(1 ½ cup) water
- 155g (¾ cup) caster sugar
- 1kg (2lbs) cherries, washed and pitted
- 125ml (½ cup) Amaretto
Instructions
- Place the water and sugar in a large saucepan of a low heat and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
- Tip the cherries in and simmer for 5 minutes or until cherries are tender.Â
- Remove from the heat, pour in the liqueur and stir.
- If you’re impatient, you can serve it warm immediately with vanilla ice cream.Â
- Alternatively, pour into sterilised jars and seal. Let the cherries steep for at least 4 weeks for maximum flavour. Enjoy!
Notes
- The recipe provided is basic. Feel free to add your own spin to it to spice it up to your liking. E.g. orange peel, star anise and or cinnamon sticks make lovely additions to give it a Christmassy feel.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Boil
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 69
- Sugar: 16.9 g
- Sodium: 1.3 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17.7 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Lisa
Hello I plan on making this for cake for Christmas day dessert. I can't find fresh cherries only tinned, frozen or dried would you recommend any of these or do you think I should make this next cherry season with fresh cherries? Thank you.
Michelle Minnaar
Hey Lisa, fresh cherries are always best, so you should definitely make it next year anyway. 🙂 As for now, tinned versions have already been steeped in liquids, so won't absorb the alcohol that well. I wouldn't go for dried but if you thaw frozen ones there is the possibility it might work. That said, I've not tried it so if you do, please let me know how it turns out. Good luck!
Polly
Could you use sour cherries such as Montmorency for this recipe?
Michelle Minnaar
I've not tried this recipe with sour cherries yet but can't see why it wouldn't work.
Linda
Loved this. This is fantastic on cheesecake. I did double the Amaretto. We used the extra liquid to make a spritzer. Definitely a keeper.
Simone
HI, could you use frozen cherries in this recipe?
Michelle Minnaar
Hi Simone,
I've not used frozen cherries for this recipe yet but I don't see why you can't. I would suggest for you to thaw them first then gently cooking them. My only concern is that they could potential go mushy and fall apart. Please do let me know how it goes!
Sally
Love me some amaretto so this was a cool treat I made for my friends to try!