Irresistible 2-Cup Cherry Dessert That Steals Hearts

Oh, cherry desserts – just saying those words makes me smile! I remember summer afternoons at my grandma’s house, where the scent of fresh cherries baking would drift through the kitchen like a sweet, fruity hug. There’s something magical about how simple ingredients transform into a warm, jammy delight that tastes like pure nostalgia. This easy cherry dessert recipe is my go-to when I want something fuss-free but still special. It’s the kind of recipe you can whip up in minutes, yet it feels like you’ve been baking all day. Trust me, one bite of this buttery, cherry-studded goodness, and you’ll be hooked. The hardest part? Waiting for it to cool before digging in!

Ingredients for Cherry Desserts

Here’s what you’ll need to make this simple yet irresistible cherry dessert – trust me, every ingredient plays a special role:

• 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted (those little red gems are the star!)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (the trusty foundation)
• 1/2 cup sugar (just enough sweetness to make the cherries sing)
• 1/4 cup butter, melted (because everything’s better with butter)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (that warm, cozy flavor we all love)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder (for that perfect little lift)
• 1/4 tsp salt (to balance all the sweetness)
• 1/2 cup milk (whole milk makes it extra rich, but any kind works)

See? Nothing fancy – just honest ingredients that come together to create something magical. Now let’s get baking!

How to Make Cherry Desserts

Alright, let’s turn these simple ingredients into cherry magic! I’ve made this recipe so many times I could do it in my sleep, but I’ll walk you through each step – it’s foolproof, I promise.

1. Preheat that oven! Crank it to 350°F (175°C) – this gives your baking dish time to warm up while you mix everything. Trust me, starting with a properly heated oven makes all the difference.
2. Whisk your dry team together – flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in one bowl. I like to give them a good stir with a fork to make sure no sneaky clumps of baking powder hide in there.
3. Bring in the wet ingredients – melted butter (slightly cooled), vanilla, and milk in another bowl. Whisk until it looks like liquid gold.
4. The big mix! Pour the wet into the dry and stir just until combined – a few lumps are totally fine. Overmixing makes tough desserts, and we want tender!
5. Cherry time! Gently fold in those gorgeous pitted cherries. I use a rubber spatula and pretend I’m giving them a soft hug – you want to keep them whole if possible.
6. Into the pan it goes – pour your batter into a greased baking dish (I use an 8×8 square or a round pie dish). Pop it in the oven for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Now the hardest part – letting it cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting. The smell will drive you crazy, but waiting means perfect slices that don’t fall apart!

Why You’ll Love This Cherry Dessert Recipe

This recipe has been my secret weapon for years, and here’s why it’ll become yours too:

• Effortless elegance – Looks fancy but takes less than 10 minutes of hands-on time
• Fresh cherry magic – Those juicy bursts of fruit make every bite special
• Crowd-pleaser – I’ve never met anyone who could resist seconds
• Versatile star – Perfect warm with ice cream or room temperature with coffee
• No fancy tools needed – Just bowls, a spoon, and your trusty baking dish

Seriously, this dessert is like giving your taste buds a big, happy hug – and who doesn’t need that?

Tips for Perfect Cherry Desserts

After making this recipe more times than I can count, here are my foolproof tips for cherry dessert success:

• Fold, don’t stir! Treat those cherries gently when mixing them in – a few light folds with a spatula keeps them whole and beautiful.
• Toothpick test don’t lie – Check the center at 30 minutes; it should come out clean or with moist crumbs (not wet batter).
• Let it rest – I know it’s hard, but 15 minutes cooling means perfect slices that hold their shape.
• Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream melting over the top – pure heaven!

Follow these simple tricks, and you’ll get that perfect balance of tender cake and juicy cherries every single time.

Ingredient Substitutions & Notes

Got some tweaks in mind? No problem – this recipe is super flexible! Use almond milk for a dairy-free version – it works like a charm. No fresh cherries? Frozen cherries (thawed and drained) are a great swap. Want less sweet? Reduce the sugar to 1/3 cup – the cherries bring plenty of natural sweetness. Trust me, this dessert adapts beautifully to whatever you’ve got on hand!

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Here’s how to keep your cherry dessert tasting fresh and delicious! Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the fridge for 3-4 days. When reheating, skip the microwave (it makes soggy!) and use a low oven (300°F) for 10 minutes instead – it brings back that just-baked magic!

Cherry Desserts Nutritional Information

Here’s the scoop on nutrition per serving (about 1/6 of the recipe): roughly 220 calories, 8g fat, 35g carbs, and 3g protein. Remember – these numbers might dance a bit depending on your exact ingredients. But hey, with all those fresh cherries, we’re basically eating fruit salad, right?

FAQs About Cherry Desserts

Can I use canned cherries? Absolutely! Drain them well first – that syrup is way too sweet for our batter. You’ll need about a 15-ounce can to equal 2 cups fresh. Pro tip: pat them dry with paper towels so they don’t make the batter soggy.

What’s the easiest way to pit cherries? My favorite trick? Use a paperclip! Unbend it into an “S” shape, then poke the rounded end into the cherry’s stem end and scoop out the pit. Messy but effective – just wear an apron unless you want pink polka dots on your shirt!

Can I make this gluten-free? You bet! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free blend. The texture comes out nearly identical – I’ve fooled gluten-loving friends with this trick!

Why did my cherries sink to the bottom? Don’t worry – mine do that sometimes too! Tossing them in a tablespoon of flour before folding in helps, but honestly? They taste just as delicious down there!

Give This Cherry Dessert a Whirl!

Alright, now it’s your turn to experience the magic! Whip up this cherry dessert and let me know how it turns out – I’d love to hear your baking adventures. Happy cherry-filled baking, friend!

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