Go Back
+ servings
overhead view of a small jar of cherry sauce with a spoon in it.
Print Recipe
4.56 from 18 votes

Cherry Sauce – With Fresh, Canned or Frozen Cherries

Simple and quick homemade cherry sauce made with either sweet or sour cherries, fresh, canned or frozen cherries.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: German
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 92kcal
Author: Adina

Ingredients

  • cups cherries 12.5 oz, pitted but left whole, Note 1
  • ¾ cup juice from the canned cherries OR water if using fresh or frozen cherries
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar Note 2
  • 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice freshly squeezed

Other flavors are optional

  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract OR ½ teaspoon almond extract OR a pinch of cinnamon

Instructions

  • Pit the cherries and set them aside. If using canned cherries, drain them and keep the juice.
    2½ cups cherries
  • Juice: Pour 4-5 tablespoons of the canning juice into a small bowl. Pour the remaining juice, about ¾ cup/ 180 ml juice, into a saucepan. If using fresh or frozen cherries, replace the juice with water.
    ¾ cup juice
  • Cook: Add sugar to the pot with the juice. Bring the liquid to a boil.
    2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • Cornstarch slurry: In the meantime, whisk together the reserved 4-5 tablespoons of juice (or water) with the cornstarch. You should have a thick yet still pourable paste.
    1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • Thicken cherry sauce: Remove the pot from the heat. Slowly whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Whisk well.
  • Add the cherries and stir well. Return the saucepan to the hob and simmer the cherries for 2 or 3 minutes if they are fresh or frozen. If using canned cherries, let them bubble once or twice, then remove them from heat.
  • Flavors: Stir in the lemon juice and either one of the flavors: vanilla extract, almond extract, or cinnamon.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature as suggested above.

Notes

  1. Cherries: You can use sweet or sour cherries, fresh, frozen, or canned cherries.
  2. Sugar: Add more sugar if using sour cherries or to taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 of the sauce | Calories: 92kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 18g