With a Cherry on Top: 7 Delicious Recipes for This Summer Fruit

Yum, cherries!Local cherries are in full bloom across the Okanagan, and this season will especially yield an unusually large crop. Something to the tune of 8 million pounds of cherries is what BC Tree Fruits recently announced (in comparison, 2011 saw a cherry crop yield of 4.6 million pounds.)

In addition to an increase in quantity of the popular summer sweet fruit, consumers can expect to see cherries arrive in local grocery stores earlier than anticipated. Good news for those of us who adore spending the summer months with cherry juice dripping from our chins.

Although there's nothing wrong with eating cherries straight up, their abundance encourages using them in baking, desserts and drinks - here are 7 delicious recipes that make the best of this summery stone fruit!





Fresh cherry tartlets1. Fresh Cherry Tartlets
These simple cherry pies bring out the best of the fruit - they aren't cloying and syrupy, like many sugary and cornstarch-thickened cherry pie fillings can be.

For the crust
Ingredients:
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar
6 tablespoons cold butter
1/4 cup ice water

Preparation:
Combine the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor.
Quickly chop up the cold butter, and pulse it into flour mixture, several times.
Drizzle in the ice water, pulsing 2 or 3 times, just until the dough is combined.
Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gather into a ball.
Flatten dough into discs, and wrap each one tightly with plastic wrap.
Chill for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

Related: 12 fruity desserts for your summer picnics


For the cherry filling
Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups cherries, pitted and halved
1 lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons ground instant tapioca (I use my coffee grinder)

Preparation:
Stir the ingredients together in a bowl, and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place a large rimmed baking sheet in the oven to preheat as well. Liberally butter four 5" tartlet pans.
Roll out the dough disc on a lightly floured surface.
Roll into a roughly 14" square.
Cut the square into quarters, and press each quarter into a greased tartlet pan, fold any excess dough under and crimp the edges with your thumb and forefinger.
Place the tartlet pans on the heated baking sheet.
Carefully arrange the filling in the tartlet crusts, including plenty of fruit and several tablespoons of juice. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes, or until the crusts are a very light, golden brown and the filling is bubbling vigorously.
Cool for 20 - 30 minutes and serve.
**Makes four 5" tartlets



Related: 15 sinfully sweet dessert recipes in a jar






Double cherry swirl ice cream2. Double Cherry Swirl Ice Cream
Homemade ice cream is one of summer's greatest pleasures - although this version calls for dried cherries, fresh chopped ones would make a delicious swap - and be even more lickable.
Make double cherry swirl ice cream

















Bing cherry mojitos3. Bing Cherry Mojitos
Brilliant pink cherries make a perfectly summery sipper -perfect for patio entertaining.
Make bing cherry mojitos













Related: 10 low-fat frozen treats to beat the summer heat








Balsamic cherry gelato4. Balsamic Cherry Gelato
This grown-up confection combines rich cherries with intense balsamic vinegar, which lends an acidic tang - the combination is surprisingly delicious in this summer sweet!
Make balsamic cherry gelato













Related: 12 homemade ice cream recipes you won't find in your freezer section








Mixed berry Galette5. Mixed Berry Galette
This isn't your usual cherry pie - a jumble of berries and stone fruits, baked in a rustic shell done free-form on a baking sheet, there's no need to crimp or struggle with a lattice top. Easy as pie!
Make mixed berry galette












Cherry limeade6. Cherry Limeade
Although this version is made with maraschino cherries, the real thing can be swapped in during the summer months, when they're in season. A delicious twist on the usual lemonade!
Make cherry limeade















Related: 11 healthy, 30-minute summer recipes









Cherry banana muffins with crunchy tops7. Cherry Banana Muffins with Crunchy Tops
Next time you have a surplus of overripe bananas, give these muffins a try - the cherries make a perfect pairing!
Make cherry banana muffins with crunchy tops















- By Julie Van Rosendaal
Follow Julie on Babble

For 4 more cherry recipes, visit Babble!

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