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Easy Cherry Topping Sauce

Easy Cherry Topping Sauce

A quick and vibrant homemade cherry sauce, perfect for topping pancakes, ice cream, cheesecake, or yogurt. Simple ingredients yield a rich, slightly tart, and sweet topping.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 1.5 cups
Course: Breakfast, Dessert Topping
Cuisine: American
Calories: 18013
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cherry Sauce
  • 2 cups Frozen or Fresh Pitted Cherries Dark sweet cherries work best
  • 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar Adjust to taste based on cherry sweetness
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice Freshly squeezed preferred
  • 1 teaspoon Cornstarch For thickening
  • 1 tablespoon Water For the cornstarch slurry

Method
 

Instructions
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, 1/2 cup water, and lemon juice. Stir well.
  2. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
  3. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, allowing the cherries to break down slightly and the sauce to reduce.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 1 tablespoon of cold water until completely smooth to create a slurry.
  5. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering cherry mixture while whisking constantly. Continue to simmer for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
  6. Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool slightly before serving. The sauce will thicken further as it cools.

Notes

This topping is best served warm or chilled. It stores well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For a richer flavor profile, replace 1/4 cup of water with a splash of high-quality cherry liqueur during the simmering stage.