Classic Red Tart Cherry Compote is a delicious homemade fruit compote made in about five minutes on the stovetop.
Classic Red Tart Cherry Compote is used as a mouthwatering topping on many sweet and savory dishes: ice cream, pork, ham, duck, pound cake, cheesecake, pie and yogurt to name a few. Or savor by the delicious spoonful.
I’ve always thought you’re either a cherry person. Or you’re not. No in between. Because who could be ambivalent about cherries? Then I talk to my Jon (husband of twenty-five years) about that this afternoon and he bursts that bubble in a hurry.
Says he can take ’em or leave ’em. Say whaaaaatttt? I call that ambivalence. I’m definitely not a take ’em or leave ’em kind of cherry girl. I adore cherries in any form. (Except cherry cough drops. Ugh.)
Have you ever visited Washington D.C. at cherry blossom time? I haven’t, but they say it’s absolutely breath taking. It’s on my bucket list. That and a million other things.
I was in Michigan with girlfriends one year during cherry harvest though, and it was the perfect time to visit. I think we consumed our weight in cherries!
We also visited the amazing store Cherry Republic, which has everything imaginable made from cherries. Cherry Pie, cherry wine, cherry soda, dried cherries, cherry salsa, cherry jam, cherry barbecue sauce.
Seriously, the list goes on and on. Everything made of cherries. Cherry heaven! I bought the pewter cherry wine stopper above on that fun trip, one of my favorite souvenirs ever.
But my favorite way to enjoy this Classic Red Tart Cherry Compote? Cascading down a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. Delicious.
Classic Red Tart Cherry Compote
Ingredients
- dash salt
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1, 14.5 ounce can undrained red tart cherries in water, no syrup
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, mix together the sugar, cornstarch and dash of salt.
- Stir in the can of undrained tart cherries, lemon juice and 1/4 cup water.
- Stir very gently over medium heat until sauce thickens.
- Use warm or cool and refrigerate.
You may also like: Easy Classic Lemon Curd
Karla @SmallTownRambler says
I love cherries and this looks SO good! I see cherries as quite the treat…ice cream just wouldn’t be the same without them. I’m ashamed to say I’ve never been to DC for the cherry blossoms. I’m only a couple of hours away. I’ll have to make that trip one day!
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Oh gosh! Look at the gorgeous color of this cherry compote. This red tart cheery bowl looks delish and your pics are stunning my friend. I haven’t visited Washington D.C. at cherry blossom yet, but I wish to go there some day! 🙂 Xoxo <3
Taylor@Food Faith Fitness says
Cherries are amazing! I need this in my life 🙂
Joan says
Yum…. I agree. Cherries are delicious and there can never be too many cherries!!! This looks delicious. Viewing the cherry blossoms is on my bucket list too. ????
Allie says
Hi Joan, we have at least two things in common. We love cherries and we’re going to make it to D.C. for cherry blossoms by hook or by crook. (I think we may have a few more things in common too.) Thanks for dropping by! XO
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I think a little on my oatmeal right now would be amazing! I love cherries! This compote looks so yummy!
Kristen @A Mind Full Mom says
Growing up, my birthday request was always Cheesecake with cherry topping. This makes me crave that so bad!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
I love cherries! This compote would be good on so many things!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Allie, I hate to say this, but I gotta agree with your hubs, when it comes to cherries, I, too, can take ’em or leave ’em! Take em definitely when they are in this compote form or pie or scones or cake or dried form – but fresh cherries…hmmm…yeah…no…I’ll just send em to you and you can send me back a small jar of this? 🙂
Those cherry blossoms look so gorgeous BTW!
Liz says
Only 5 minutes? This glorious compote needs to happen at my house!
Carolyn V says
YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.
I also LOVE cherries – can’t wait to try this one. It looks too easy to be true but I’ll believe you 🙂
Thanks!
Allie says
Thanks Carolyn, glad to hear you’re a cherry lover too. Cherry lovers unite! Hope you enjoy this compote.
Carolyn Voegtlin says
I made the cherry compote this past weekend and LOVED IT!
Allie, you are the best and so was this recipe 🙂
Carolyn
Aunt Pinkie says
This looks soooo good! Am definitely a cherry girl!
Tracy says
This does look super easy and delicious! We love cherries at my house! I love all of your suggested ways to use them! ??
Allison - Celebrating Sweets says
I LOVE anything made with cherries. That shot of the cherry sauce on the ice cream is calling my name. Yummmm!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
This is such a great recipe, because unlike store-bought cherry pie filling, yours has no corn syrup and red dye! I don’t think many people realize how easy it is to make something from scratch that tastes better and is better for you!
Allie says
Hi Cynthia, your comment is so interesting. I had to go to three, yes THREE grocery stores to find canned tart red cherries that weren’t packed in heavy corn syrup. I just wanted them in water. This is such an easy recipe and takes so little time!
Elaine Murphy says
I love fresh cherries. When in season I almost make myself sick eating them! I lived in the DC area, when the cherry trees are blooming it is spectacular. Towards the end of their blooming cycle, when the wind blows it snows cherry blossom petals
Allie says
That seals the deal Elaine. I just have to get there for cherry blossom season, right towards the end. So I can see them on the trees first, and then for the snowing cherry blossom petals….
Susie Mandel says
I LOVE cherries. Jac is like Jon–could take ’em or leave ’em. Maybe it’s a guy thing. 😉 I’ll tell you what–I can’t wait to try this recipe just like you pictured…over a bowl of vanilla bean ice cream. Yummm!
Allie says
Hope you guys enjoy this Susie, super easy!
GiGi Eats says
THAT drizzled over ice cream is HEAVEN on earth!!
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
I’ll take ’em! That looks absolutely amazing and I can think of a gazillion different ways to use them! Your picture is droolworthy!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I love all kinds of cherries but tart cherries are my absolute favorite. I have a HUGE bag of them in the freezer and put them in everything I possibly can. This compote is SO calling my name!
Carina says
There is something about a perfectly ripe cherry that is unbelievably delicious, isn’t there? This compote looks like a treat to be joyfully enjoyed, and I am now eager for the BC cherries to find their way to MB! Mouthwatering pictures, Allie! Xoxo
Allie says
Thank you so much Carina, the cherries cannot get here fast enough! xo
Heather Kinnaird says
we LOVE cherries, and cannot get enough when they are in season. and this topping looks so much better than the clumpy canned stuff
Manila Spoon says
We lived in Michigan for 10 years before we transferred to CT and I agree, they have the best cherries. We often visited Traverse City, the cherry capital and we love that place. Good to know you had a lovely time there! This cherry compote is not only summer-perfect but truly fruity-licious and I can just imagine so many yummy uses for this…..toppings for french toast, ice cream…etc….endless yum!
Nettie Moore says
You must visit DC during Spring, cherry blossoms are magical!! I have to make your compote for my next Cherry Cheesecake! WOW! Delicious! Nettie
KC the Kitchen Chopper says
I haven’t eaten cherries in ages. I know how healthful the tart one’s are for us. Your sauce looks scrumptious. My spoon is at the ready!
Adina says
I adore cherries, we have a huge tree in our garden that makes the best cherries I have ever eaten. Unfortunately not quite every year, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will get some this year. I could make this compote with the preserved cherries from last year, it looks so yummy!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Don’t hate me, but I’m with your husband. I could take or leave cherries… unless they are in the form of this delicious compote… then I’ll take extra please! 😉 The color of this compote is gorgeous, Allie! And I bet it tastes fabulous on ALL THE THINGS! Love that you could jazz up a sweet or savory dish with this tart cherry compote! Perfect, my dear! Cheers to a beautiful week, sweets! xo
Allie says
Hi Cheyanne, all I can think of is that makeup commercial….”Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful….” Was that Maybelline, or maybe even Pantene? Too funny. Promise I won’t hate you girl. Quite the contrary. XO
Karen Espalin says
Oooooo! Joshua will love this recipe.
We are a family of cherry lovers. Every June/July we would drive to Hood River OR and u-pick cherries. I would freeze most of them for the boys to eat all winter long. Ok, they never lasted that long but that is because a certain first born (Joshua) is a fruit FREAK!
Now we have our own cherry tree and like me when I was a kid you will often find my boys sitting in the tree all day long eating cherries.
Hugs,
Karen
Allie says
Sounds delicious!!! How wonderful to have your very own cherry tree!!! I would be in that tree too!
best writing service says
Thanks for your recipe! I’ll try it soon. I think that is a kind of a good thing for an autumn time.
Julia Lindsay says
This looks outstanding. I will be making this tonight to put on cream cheese crepes in the morning for our annual church brunch.
Allie says
Cream cheese crepes? How delicious ?. Merry Christmas!
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Louise Achor says
Looks yummy!
Jeff the Chef says
Look out! I think you overfilled that pitcher!
Shashi at SavorySpin says
So glad you republished this one – now all I can think of is a big bowl of sweet vanilla bean ice cream and THIS cherry compote… and it’s only 7.30 am – …. you think if I sprinkled granola on top of it all, it could pass as breakfast? 🙂
Happy Tuesday, Allie! xoxo
imgrum says
This looks so good~ Can’t wait to try it.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
I’m a cherry lover like yourself and I say yes to making your compote. Fantastic photos by the way.
Annisa says
I have fresh tart cherries, can I use them in place of canned? And do I need to substitute anything??
Allie says
Hi Annisa – Lucky you – fresh tart cherries, yum! Yes, you can easily use fresh. You may want to cook it over the heat for just a couple minutes longer to soften the cherries a bit more. (The canned ones will already be soft.) Thanks so much for dropping by and enjoy!
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Amy Mast says
Would this be alright to freeze?
Allie says
Hey Amy – honestly I haven’t tried freezing it. I did a little google research and discovered that others do recommend freezing cherry compote for up to a year. So I’d definitely try that. And please comment back and let me know how it goes, wld love to hear your experience. Have a great summer!