If you love cherries and you enjoy baking, this is the post for you! I’m going to share some of my very favorite cherry recipes, guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and joy to your tummy!
What are Cherries, Anyway?
You might think you know cherries, but let’s start with a deep-dive to discover what they are and why they’re perfect for baking!
Fresh cherries are small, round, typically red or black fruits that grow on trees. Ask any cherry lover and they’ll say, “I love ’em because of their sweet and tart flavor!”
It’s this combination that makes them absolutely perfect for baking! You’ll see cherries used in all sorts of baked goods like pies, jams, preserves, and so on. Some folks eat them plain, as a snack.
They’re not just yummy in baked goods!. Cherries are often used in beverages like cherry juice and cherry liqueurs.
What are the Types of Cherries?
You might think that all cherries are created equal but that’s not the case! There are actually two main types of cherries:
- Sweet Cherries (like Bing, Rainier, and Lambert).
- Sour Cherries (which are more tart in flavor, making them perfect for baking pies, tarts, etc.) Examples might include Montmorency.
Cherries don’t just taste great; they’re also nutritious. They’re packed full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Research their potential health benefits and you’ll find that they’re great for reducing inflammation, improving sleep quality, and aiding in muscle recovery. In short, they’re incredibly good for you!
Cherries in Baking
When you use cherries to bake you’ll either use fresh pitted cherries, canned cherries, or cherry pie filling. Of course, you can also use frozen cherries, but it’s always good to that them before mixing or your batter or dough might seize up!
For over a year now I’ve been on a quest to discover all of the cherry recipes I can. Cherries have been a personal favorite from the time I had my first thumbprint cookie as a kid! (And don’t even get me started on cherry pie. Yum!)
Most of the recipes you’ll find in the roundup below are from Out of the Box Baking, but I’ve asked a handful of other great food bloggers to join me in sharing their favorites, as well. So, enjoy a few recipes from Southern Home Express and Back to my Southern Roots, as well as a great one from Southern Style Recipes. Don’t forget to check out their sites, which are filled with great recipes to enjoy!
So, settle back! Grab a cup of coffee and dream of all the cherry delights you’re about to experience. Then make a baking to-do list! You’re gonna need it!
Amazing Cherry Desserts
Sour Cherry Thumbprint Cookies
Ah, the perfect cookies! These are the ones that take me back to my childhood and make me dream of days gone by. These are the perfect thumbprint cookies with delicious sour cherry jam in the middle! (If you really want to jazz these up, add a dash of lemon juice to the cookie dough!)
No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Pie
This luscious No Bake Cherry Cheesecake Pie is one of the tastiest--and easiest--things I've ever made! You're going to love the combination of sweet and tart, creamy and crunch. Best of all, you won't have to bake a thing! That cherry filling is perfect! And the cream cheese filling is perfection!
Easy 2-Ingredient Cherry Chocolate Cake
Such a simple and delicious cherry chocolate cake recipe from Southern Home Express!
Easy Cake Mix Cherry Pies
If you want the flavor of a cherry pie but the ease of a quick doctored cake mix, then this is the recipe for you! Check out those golden brown pie shells!
Easy And Classic No Bake Millionaire Pie Recipe
This luscious pie is so simple to make and loaded with familiar flavors that will take you back to your childhood. It's perfect for cherry season! (Check out that whipped cream on top! Mmm!) You'll want to have a jar of maraschino cherries on hand for this one! You're going to love Back to my Southern Roots, so check out the site while you're looking at this recipe!
Easy Cherry Almond Bars
If you love the flavor of cherry pie but prefer the simplicity of a cookie bar with a hint of almond, then this is the recipe for you! This luscious sweet treat has a shortbread base, cherry preserves in the center, and sliced almonds on top. Best of all, it's incredibly easy to bake! Such an easy dessert!
Easy Pineapple Upside Down Dump Cake
Every now and again you want something so classic, so comforting, that nothing else will do. This easy Pineapple Upside Down Dump cake is cobbler-like in texture but one of the most flavorful things you'll ever eat. Enjoy this one with a scoop of ice cream! (You will love this warm fruit dessert.) Is there anything better than pineapple cherry dump cake?
Cherry Cheesecake Cobbler
If you're in the mood for a luscious cherry cobbler, laced with and a crunchy crust, have I got a recipe for you! This rich cobbler is packed full of flavor and topped with a crisp layer of almonds.
Creamy No-Bake Cherry Lime Pie Recipe
This no-bake pie is simple and oh-so-delicious! Try this recipe from Southern Home Express today!
Homemade Pop Tarts
Okay, y'all. . .I've got a great recipe for you today. These Homemade Pop-Tarts are easy and fun, the perfect project to work on with the kids in your life. There's so versatile, too!
Cherry Pie Bars (Cherry Cobbler Bars)
If you’re looking for a bar with a soft sugar cookie crust, cake-like in texture, with a rich almond and cherry flavor, have I got a treat for you! These Simple Cherry Pie Bars (Cherry Cobbler Bars) are gooey, soft, and absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious! This is going to be one of your favorite cherry desserts, I promise!
Easy Black Forest Bundt Cake
If you love the flavors of chocolate and cherries you're going to adore this easy Black Forest Bundt Cake. It's one of the simplest cakes you'll ever make and best of all it starts with a box of cake mix.
Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies
Double Dark Chocolate Cherry Cookies from Out of the Box Baking.com
Easy Black Forest Bars
If you love the combination of cherries and chocolate I’ve got an amazing and simple recipe for you! These delicious Black Forest Bars are quick and easy! Best of all, they start with a box of cake mix and a sweet filling, sure to make you smile.
Fluffy Cherry Icebox Pie
If you love a light, fluffy old-fashioned pie, rich with cherry flavor, you're going to love this recipe. You can make this recipe in the summertime and still keep your waistline in tact!
Black Forest Icebox Cake
If you love the softness of a delicious dark chocolate cake but the light fluffiness of a mousse, this is the recipe for you! This chocolate cake is covered in a cherry cheese mousse that’s guaranteed to make you swoon!
Cherry Bread Pudding
If you love a rich, gooey bread pudding but you’re also a fan of cherry pie, this recipe is going to make you flip! It’s a combination of both of those two things in one easy and flavorful dish!
Mini Southern Peach Cobbler (Quick and Easy)
Substitute cherry pie filling to turn this peach cobbler into a luscious cherry one. (Delicious!) Thanks to Southern Style Recipes for sharing!
That’s it for this post, friends! I hope you enjoyed these delicious cherry dessert recipes. If you don’t already own a cherry pitter, this might be a great time to grab one! And whether your working with canned or homemade cherry pie filling, you’ll love the rich cherry flavors! These desserts will certainly satisfy your sweet tooth.
If you make any of these recipes and love them, don’t forget to leave a review and a comment below. And while you’re at it, go ahead and pin some photos to your Pinterest boards!
See this recipe at
Learn more about doctored cake mixes, the theme of this blog.
For the master list of all doctored cake mix recipes on this site, visit Doctored Cake Mix Recipes, Master List.
About the Author
Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and all-around mischief maker! She has overcome a host of baking catastrophes, including a toppled wedding cake, to learn more about the baking process. Janice has published over 150 books for the Christian market but particularly enjoys writing recipes and baking devotions. To learn more about Janice or to drop her a note, visit her About the Author page.