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Cherries Jubilee is one of the easiest desserts you’ll ever make, and one of the best!
Made with just a few ingredients, this quick and easy cherry sauce is served warm over vanilla ice cream for a delightful ending to any meal. And you don’t need baking skills to make this elegant, old school classic! Cherries Jubilee is prepared right on the stove top in less than 15 minutes.
Do you have to flambรฉ Cherries Jubilee?
Flambรฉing is a very easy trick used to caramelize the sugars in a sauce such as this Cherries Jubilee. This easy method will also deepen the flavors of the dessert while burning off some of the liquor. It’s simple to do, and nothing to be afraid of if you follow the directions. However, if you don’t want to try flambรฉing your Cherries Jubilee, no worries. The sauce will still be delicious and perfectly wonderful served over ice cream. Once the cherries are cooked and the sugar dissolved, the sauce will start to thicken and become syrupy. Add the Kirsch (cherry brandy) or rum to the pan and ignite the alcohol with a utility lighter or long fireplace match. Swirl the pan around until the flames subside and you’re done!
Cherries Jubilee is a true classic that has stood the test of time.
This simple dessert has been around since the late 1800’sย when it was created by French chef, Auguste Escoffier for Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee celebration. Any dessert that is still celebrated after more than 100 years is worth noting in my book.
Cherries Jubilee is made with Kirsch (cherry brandy) or rum, granulated sugar and fresh lemon juice.
I keep a bottle of cherry brandy in the refrigerator for an occasional nightcap or after dinner drink. We also add it to as many recipes as we can like our Cherry Ice Cream with dark chocolate, and this delicious Cherry Almond Breakfast Cake.ย Kirsch keeps for a very long time and I bet you won’t regret having it on hand. Don’t settle for the cheapest you can buy. This is one of those times when buying the best makes all the difference. Thrill your guests with this terrific dessert or make it a special night with your favorite somebody.
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Cherries Jubilee
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh ripe sweet cherries, cleaned and pitted
- โ cup granulated sugar
- juice of ยฝ a lemon
- โ cup cherry brandy (Kirsch) or rum
- Vanilla ice cream, for serving
Instructions
- Wash and pit the cherries (leave whole.) Place the cherries in a flameproof skillet large enough to fit the fruits in a single layer. Add the sugar and lemon juice and stir to combine. Cover the pan and heat on medium-low until the sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes.
- Uncover the pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook until the cherries are juicy and syrupy, about 5 minutes.
- Slide the pan off the heat and add the Kirsch. Ignite the alcohol with a utility lighter or long fireplace match. Quickly move the skillet back onto the burner and gently shake and swirl until the flames subside, about 30-45 seconds.
- Remove from the heat and serve immediately spooned over vanilla ice cream. Store any leftovers in a jar in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes
- Scoop the ice cream into pretty glasses or dishes and store in the freezer until needed. Youโll be ready to serve dessert as soon as the sauce is finished.
- Substitute thawed frozen cherries when fresh are not available.
Nutrition
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Here are a few more recipes you might enjoy:
During the long, hot, humid, dog days of summer, itโs hard to beat a nice cold scoop of homemade ice cream! Click HERE to get the recipe for Cherry Ice Cream with dark chocolate.
Classic Cherry Clafoutis (pronounced โklafutiโ) isย a traditional French dessert with a thick, rich, eggy custard and plenty of fresh cherries. Click HERE to get the recipe for Cherry Clafoutis.
Moist and tender with a sweet crackly top, our Cherry Almond Breakfast Cake is a great way to enjoy the short and delicious cherry season! Click HERE to get the recipe for Cherry Almond Breakfast Cake.
Thanks so much for stopping by! ย Tricia
DeLane
Was looking for a dessert using fresh cherries, and this sounds good ,quick, and easy. Tonight’s dessert!
Tricia Buice
Hope you love it DeLane – so easy and delicious!
Brenda Trujillo
I love to try new dishes and I will be making them all. Thank you for sharing
Tricia Buice
Thank you Brenda!
John / Kitchen Riffs
Such a wonderful classic dessert! I haven’t had Cherries Jubilee in forever, and it’s been even longer than that since I made them myself. But it’s on my “list” of stuff to make. One of these days! Terrific pictures, wonderful recipe — thanks.
Tricia Buice
Thank you John! Happy 4th of July ๐
2pots2cook
Absolutely beautiful photos ! ๐
Tricia Buice
Thank you!
Mimi
Well this recipe name surprised me! I just made something quite similar that I thought I created. Well, I did create it, and itโs not quite this recipe, but why have I never heard of cherries jubilee?!! Cherries and ice cream are so fabulous together. I donโt know how you got those gorgeous photos. My ice cream turned into ice cream soup quickly!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Mimi! I bet your sauce is terrific. I’m heading over to check it out ๐
Chris Scheuer
Yum! I haven’t had cherries jubilee for years. It was my mom’s go-to Christmas dessert. And I’ve never had it with FRESH cherries. What a wonderful idea!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Chris – ice cream and warm cherry sauce – perfect for summer too!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Loving all your cherry recipes! This is such a classic and a perfect way to enjoy them ๐
Tricia Buice
Thanks Jennifer!
sue
I don’t think I’ve ever had this dessert ~ I’ve been clearly missing out!!
Tricia Buice
Oh no – a must try Sue!
Gerlinde
I canโt decide if I want to make your clafoutis or the cherry jubilee, both look so good.
Tricia Buice
That’s a tough decision Gerlinde – I think you should try them both ๐
angiesrecipes
Looks so good served with ice cream, Tricia!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Angie!