This quick, delicious, and easy cherry compote makes the perfect topping for cake, waffle, ice cream, and even oatmeal! It’s a great way to enjoy cherries and it’s also so versatile. I just know you are going to love this recipe, so be sure to make this cherry compote recipe this summer!
Sweet Cherry is one of my favorite stone fruits, and when sweet cherries are in season, I often end up buying too much. So I always make this cherry compote to preserve those cherries for later. This is my favorite easy cherry compote recipe, it comes together in just 10 minutes with a few simple ingredients. Just combine together the cherries, some sugar, a little liquid, and cornstarch in a pot and heat it until they become thick and syrupy. Trust me, it really is a great way to preserve those sweet summer cherries.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS CHERRY COMPOTE RECIPE
- Easy, quick, and made with just four simple ingredients.
- Best to use fresh sweet cherries, but frozen cherries work too!
- Perfect as topping on any dessert.
- You can adjust the sugar to suit your taste.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED & NOTES
Cherries – It’s always best to use fresh sweet cherries, but if they’re not in season you can use pitted frozen cherries. Fresh or frozen cherries, both work perfectly in this recipe! This recipe works well with other types of cherries too, like sour cherry, black cherry, or even wild cherry!
Lemon – We need some liquid to help the cherries cook without burning. I love using fresh lemon juice, it gives extra flavor and it complements the cherries. If you don’t have lemons, you can use orange juice or just water.
Sugar – This recipe uses a little granulated sugar in it, but feel free to adjust the sugar to suit your taste.
Cornstarch – Just a little bit of cornstarch to thicken the compote.
Cinnamon – Totally optional, but cinnamon complements the cherries and it gives extra nice flavor.
EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED
- Cherry pitter
- Large saucepan
- Rubber spatula
- Glass jar
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE THIS CHERRY COMPOTE RECIPE
(Be sure to check the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions)
STEP 1 – Prepare the Cherries
Make sure your cherries are clean. Put the cherries in a large bowl of cold water, gently rub the skins with your fingers, and rinse them in a colander under a running tap. Then, remove the cherry pits with a cherry pitter tool and cut them in half.
STEP 2 – Cook the Cherries
In a large saucepan, combine the cherries, fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 8 minutes until the cherries release their juices and they become thick and syrupy.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir and pour the compote into a clean glass jar. Let it cool completely to room temperature, then cover with the jar’s lid and refrigerate.
HOW TO SERVE THIS CHERRY COMPOTE
There are so many ways to enjoy this cherry compote, you can serve this cherry compote warm, at room temperature, or even cold straight from the fridge. You can enjoy it on its own or enjoy it as a topping for your desserts like waffles, pancakes, or scones, even stir it into your yogurt or ice cream, it’s so good! You can also add the syrup to soda, iced tea, or sparkling wine.
HOW TO STORE
To store your compote, place the compote into glass jars and cover it with the jar’s lid. The compote will keep fresh and refrigerated for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 12 months but will be best if consumed within six months.
Cherry Compote
This quick, delicious, and easy cherry compote makes the perfect topping for cake, waffle, ice cream, and even oatmeal! It's a great way to enjoy cherries and it's also so versatile. I just know you are going to love this recipe, so be sure to make this recipe this summer!
Ingredients
- 580g (4 cups) halved pitted sweet cherries
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 50g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon, optional
Instructions
Make sure your cherries are clean. Put the cherries in a large bowl of cold water, gently rub the skins with your fingers, and rinse them in a colander under a running tap. Then, remove the cherry pits with a cherry pitter tool and cut them in half.
In a large saucepan, combine the cherries, fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes until the cherries release their juices and they become thick and syrupy.
Remove the pan from the heat and pour the compote into a clean glass jar. Let it cool completely to room temperature, then cover with the jar's lid and refrigerate.
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Happy Baking!
I love the ease of it!
Thickening took more than 5 minutes.
Actually added 1/2 tsp more of corn starch. Just needed it! Anyway DELICIOUS!
glad you like this cherry compote! ❤️