Here are some ways to use up a glut of cherries, if you’ve gone overboard at the PYO farm or community orchard (or you’re fortunate enough to have a cherry tree in your garden). If you eat a lot of cherries, kitchen shops sell cherry pitters to make life easier (also use to stone olives).
For recipes that use them, choose palm-oil-free vegan butter and make your own pastry. Keep these desserts away from pets, due to toxic ingredients cherries, chocolate and nuts (and xylitol if used – just a few dropped crumbs can be lethal). Keep fresh dough away from pets, it can expand in the stomach.
This Cherry Pie with Flaky Pie Crust (Addicted to Dates) is a recipe by a classically-trained Irish baker. It can be made with fresh or frozen cherries. Use natural vanilla (fake vanilla can be made with castoreum from the castor glands of beavers) and cornstarch or arrowroot to thicken the sauce, so it’s not runny. The recipe is a simple case of cooking the filling, then letting them sit to release the cherry juices. The tasty filling is then poured into the pie crust, and you can even have a go at creating a lattice design, for fancy chefs! If not, then still slice into the pastry top, to let the steam escape. Brush a vegan butter on top, and sprinkle on some sugar, then bake until golden brown.
Christina also advises to learn how to preheat your oven to the correct temperature, this will mean the difference between soggy crusts and beautiful cakes and bakes. And chill the cooked pie an hour before serving, so the filling won’t slop over the plate! Serve with vegan vanilla ice-cream or custard. You can freeze leftovers in an airtight container, for a couple of months (thaw in the fridge overnight).
Sour Cherry Overnight Oats (Vibrant Plate) is a reciep to use up frozen sour fruits and forest blueberries, combined with rolled oats, plant milk and a little chopped dark chocolate. Serve with granola or quinoa puffs.
Tart Cherry Mulled Wine (Minimalist Baker) is an ideal festive drink for cooler months. The drink is simmered with orange peel and whole spices (cinnamon, cloves and star anise).
Vegan Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream (Addicted to Dates) is full of the flavours of German’s Black Forest. This easy dessert bursts with fresh juice and an ice-cream covered in boozy kirsch.
Raw Cherry Tart (Simple Green Recipes) is lovely for summer, no oven required. The 4-ingredient crust is made with walnuts, dates and vegan butter. The filling is a homemade ice-cream made with soaked cashews and coconut milk, sugar and organic cherry jam. Or if this recipe is a bit too much work, make the same blogger’s Coconut Cherry Ice Cream Smoothie.
