Why You’ll Love This Dessert
- Accessible year-round thanks to the use of frozen cherries, this dessert is both quick and stunning.
- It’s simple to make yet impressive enough to serve over ice cream as a fabulous treat.
- Enhance it further with additions like cookies, nuts, whipped cream, or chocolate shavings.
Ever since my youth, I’ve had a fondness for all things cherry-flavored. My top choice for ice cream? Cherry Garcia from Ben and Jerry’s. Preferred Starburst flavor? Cherry, of course. My regular order at restaurants? A Shirley Temple, loaded with extra cherries! Thus, stumbling upon this nostalgic cherry dessert was like destiny, especially since it’s served over ice cream.
The simplicity of making Cherries Jubilee amazed me. Utilizing frozen cherries, this dessert comes together quickly, making it perfect for an impromptu treat any time of the year. Or, put a little more effort into it for a simple yet romantic Valentine’s Day dessert for two.
What is Cherries Jubilee?
Cherries Jubilee was created by the famed French chef August Escoffier who invented the dish in honor of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897, which marked her 60th year as queen.
Despite its royal origins, the dessert is surprisingly simple, consisting mainly of a flambéed cherry sauce served over vanilla ice cream at the table.
How to Serve Cherries Jubilee
While delicious on its own over vanilla ice cream, there are numerous ways to enhance Cherries Jubilee. Here are my favorite additions to take this classic dessert to the next level:
- Accompany with various cookies such as ladyfingers, spice cookies, butter cookies, or chocolate cookies.
- Garnish with toasted nuts like hazelnuts, pistachios, almonds, or pecans.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream or sprinkle with dark chocolate shavings.
- Replace plain vanilla ice cream with stracciatella gelato or chocolate ice cream for a twist.
- For a chilled version, serve it Eton Mess-style layered with whipped cream, cherries, and vanilla ice cream in a glass.
For a different presentation, scoop ice cream onto a slice of plain pound cake, rich chocolate brownie, or, aptly, a Victoria sponge cake, and lavish with the warm cherry sauce.
Cherries Jubilee Recipe
Prep Time: 3 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Cooling Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Servings: 2 to 4
Yield: 1 cup
Note: If frozen sour cherries are unavailable, jarred sour cherries in syrup can be used. Measure 8 ounces of cherries with some syrup but not excessively. To serve more, double everything but the alcohol, using 3 tablespoons instead of 2.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces frozen, pitted sour cherries, thawed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons kirsch, calvados, or cognac
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Method
- Cook the cherries: In a skillet, combine cherries with their juices, sugar, orange juice, vanilla, and salt. Cook over medium-high heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens slightly, about 7 minutes.
- Add the alcohol: Carefully add the alcohol (never pour directly from the bottle), then ignite with a long match or lighter. Shake the pan until the flames subside and the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Alternatively, let the alcohol simmer without igniting until it reduces to a glaze, about 5 minutes.
- Serve: Let the sauce cool slightly, then serve over vanilla ice cream. Store any leftovers in the fridge and reheat gently.
Enjoyed this recipe? Leave a rating and a comment below!
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Riley Morgan simplifies health and wellness topics, providing readers with practical advice and insights. Dedicated to empowering others, Riley covers everything from mental health to medical breakthroughs.
