Sweet, tangy and always comforting, these easy cherry desserts include timeless recipes like cobblers, bars, cakes and no-fuss cheesecakes.
29 Homemade Cherry Desserts That Bring Back Sweet Memories
Updated on Jul. 15, 2025
1/29
Homemade Cherry Pie
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This ruby-red cherry pie is just sweet enough, with a hint of almond flavor and a good level of cinnamon. The cherries peeking out of the lattice crust make it so pretty too. I like to make a few of these cherry pies throughout the summer. —Josie Bochek, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
2/29
Amaretto Cherries with Dumplings
Total Time
8 hours
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You can’t beat the combination of almond flavor with cherries. These light and fluffy dumplings are heavenly. Topped with the sauce and ice cream, it makes for a scrumptious cherry dessert. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
3/29
Cherry Plum Slab Pie with Walnut Streusel
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to make desserts with fruit all summer, and this cherry slab pie is wonderful because you can quickly make it for a crowd. The crumbly, nutty streusel is perfect with fruit. You can make your own pastry or use store-bought pie crust. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
4/29
Chocolate Cherry Dump Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law loves chocolate-covered cherries, and I used to make this chocolate cherry dump cake every year for her birthday. Now we've moved away, but I make this for my kids on her birthday and they still feel near her. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
5/29
Cherry Pudding Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A cross between a cake and a cobbler, this cherry dessert is awesome. Add it to your list of trusty potluck recipes, because this one is sure to go fast. —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
6/29
Cherry Crisp Recipe
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The first time I made this delightful crisp, my ice cream-loving brother skipped his usual scoop of vanilla—because he wanted to taste the cherries better! We grow wheat, soybeans and milo on our farm, plus three small cherry trees. I save every cherry for this recipe. —Carole Schlender, Burrton, Kansas
7/29
Cherry Hand Pies
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There’s nothing better than a sweet, from-scratch delight like traditional cherry pie. These precious little hand pies always go fast when I sell them at my pie bakery! —Allison Cebulla, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
8/29
Cherry Rhubarb Crunch
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband’s grandmother gave me this recipe, along with a bundle of rhubarb, when we were first married. I had never cared for rhubarb, but after trying this dessert, I changed my mind. Now my children dig in, too! —Sharon Wasikowski, Middleville, Michigan
9/29
Cherry Upside-Down Bread Pudding
Total Time
3 hours 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've always loved bread pudding, and I enjoy fixing this for my family on a chilly day. You could use a different flavor of pie filling and omit the chocolate chips to make a completely different dessert. It's always delicious! —Ronna Farley, Rockville, Maryland
10/29
Macaroon Cherry Pie
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I use homegrown cherries in this bountiful pie with its unique crunchy coconut topping. But I’ve found that purchased tart cherries yield a dessert that’s nearly as delicious. I always bake this pie around Presidents Day or Valentine’s Day, but it’s popular with my family in any season. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West Virginia
11/29
Cherry Bounce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
5-1/4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Smooth and fragrant, this homemade cherry bounce is one of those cherry desserts that make a wonderful holiday gift. For an additional treat, the drained cherries are delicious over vanilla ice cream. —Matt Warren, Mequon, Wisconsin
12/29
Cinnamon Roll Cherry Cobbler
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Red Hots and canned cherries flavor this memorable dessert from my childhood. I hadn’t had it in years, so when I found my mother’s recipe, I had to make it to see if it’s as good as I remembered. It is! —Betty Zorn, Eagle, Idaho
13/29
Bing Cherry-Amaretti Fool
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When Bing cherries are in season, I make this fruity custard-style fool. The sweet cherries and whipped cream balance perfectly with the sour cream. —Mary Ann Lee, Clifton Park, New York
14/29
Blintzes
Total Time
40 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These elegant blintzes can be served as an attractive dessert or a brunch entree. The bright cherry sauce gives them a delightful flavor. I sometimes substitute other fruits, such as raspberries, blueberries or peaches. —Jessica Vantrease, Anderson, Alaska
15/29
Cherry Pie Bars
Total Time
55 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Whip up a pan of these festive bars in just 20 minutes with staple ingredients and cherry pie filling. Between the easy preparation and the pretty colors, they're destined to become a holiday classic. —Jane Kamp, Grand Rapids, Michigan
16/29
Cherry Grunt
Total Time
40 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Back when I was cooking the hot lunch main dish for about 1,300 students a day, I liked to make this simple old-time dessert for my husband and sons. Like other cherry desserts, a scoop of ice cream on the side is perfect. —Judy Meikle, Cherokee, Iowa
17/29
Chocolate-Covered Cherries
Total Time
25 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Not only are these chocolate-covered cherries my family's favorite festive dessert, but they make a delicious holiday present too. Best of all, you can (and should) prepare these ahead. The candy gets better as it's stored, with the centers becoming even juicier. —Linda Hammerich, Bonanza, Oregon
18/29
Mini Cherry Cheesecakes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These little cheesecakes make a fun dessert that's just right for cooks who don't have a lot of time for fussy recipes. Plus, you get to eat a whole mini cheesecake yourself! —Kay Keller, Morenci, Michigan
19/29
Cherry Coconut Treats
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My great-grandmother created this recipe more than 100 years ago, so these tasty bites have appeared at many family parties. If you're preparing these for the holidays, make them festive by using both red and green maraschino cherries. —Anne Mullen, Windsor, Ontario
20/29
Black Forest Upside-Down Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The divine flavors of this simple Black Forest cake will impress your guests and leave you with many requests for the recipe! —Kimberly Campbell, Wheeling, West Virginia
21/29
Cherry Delight
Total Time
20 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This smooth and creamy cheesecake-like treat is light, sweet and pretty, too. Convenience products make it quick and easy to prepare. “My husband also likes this dessert when I substitute blueberry pie filling,” notes Lanae Powell of McPherson, Kansas.
22/29
Cherry Cobbler
Total Time
40 min
Servings
3 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Berries, peaches or any fruit can be used for this simple cobbler recipe, but the cheery bright color of cherries makes it just right for gray winter days. —Eleanor Jacoby, Eureka, Kansas
23/29
Black Forest Chocolate Torte
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're thinking about pulling out all the stops for a dessert that says wow, look no further. This cherry-crowned beauty—stacked layers of chocolate cake and cream filling—will have everyone talking. —Doris Grotz, York, Nebraska
24/29
Cherry-Peach Dumplings
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You can make this fruity dessert on your stovetop, but to really impress your guests, simmer it in an electric skillet right at the dinner table. There’s no more convenient way to enjoy the fruits of the season. —Patricia Frerk, Syracuse, New York
25/29
Cherry-Almond Streusel Tart
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Brimming with fresh cherries and topped with a crunchy streusel, this tempting tart is a great way to end dinner on a sweet note. It's elegant, tastes delicious, and is so easy to make. —Marion Lee, Mount Hope, Ontario
26/29
Apple-Cherry Cream Cheese Pie
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A layer of sweetened cream cheese topped with a tart fruit filling makes this pie popular with family, friends and co-workers. It won the blue ribbon at a local fair. —Donna Rettew, Jonestown, Pennsylvania
27/29
Cherry Cream Cheese Pie
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom is known for her scrumptious desserts. This cherry cream cheese pie is one she's served often. It's one of my favorite desserts anytime of year. I love the combination of cream cheese and cherry pie filling. —Cindy Kufeldt, Orlando, Florida
28/29
Cherry Crumble
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This cherry crumble dessert is delicious and, once you get the crumble technique down, a total breeze to make. Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for full effect. We recommend using tart cherries to balance the sweetness of this recipe—you may see these simply labeled as tart cherries in the bag or carton, or they might be called Montmorency cherries. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
29/29
No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I worked full time and needed a quick dessert to take to a potluck or a friend's home, this pie was always the answer. You can substitute a graham cracker crust or use another type of fruit pie filling for a change of pace. Even the chilling time is flexible if you're in a big hurry. —Mary Smith, Bradenton, Florida
Cherry Desserts FAQ
What cherries are best for desserts?
Tart cherries like Montmorency are ideal for cherry desserts because their sweet and tangy flavor that intensifies as they bake. They’re a favorite for pies, crisps and cobblers. Sweet varieties like Bing work best in no-bake desserts like dark chocolate-covered cherries. Black cherries are a great pick for fresh toppings or spooned over yogurt thanks to their deep color and natural sweetness.
Can I use frozen cherries in baking?
Frozen cherries are great for homemade desserts and can often be used without thawing. They work in bakes like cherry clafoutis or crisps, melting directly into the batter or filling. If your recipe calls for precise texture, like black forest cake, it’s best to thaw and drain them first. Always add a thickener such as cornstarch or tapioca to offset the extra liquid released as they bake.
What is the easiest cherry dessert to make?
Cherry dump cake tops the list of easy cherry desserts. All you have to do is layer canned cherry pie filling, dry cake mix and butter, then bake until golden and bubbly. It’s a fuss-free favorite for beginners and anyone craving a quick, satisfying treat. For a no-bake option, try cherry delight—a simple cheesecake made with a graham cracker crust, cream cheese filling and cherry pie topping—similar to other easy fruit desserts you can make in minutes.
