Roasted Cherries with a hint of Balsamic Vinegar are so easy to make and require just 3 ingredients. The result is impressive: intense, juicy cherries glazed in a thick syrup. They are unexpectedly good.
I don’t want to depress you, but cherry season is almost over for this year. I’ve been enjoying vast quantities of cherries for the last 6 weeks, but finally, the supplies are dwindling. Even worse than the season being at it’s close, I’ve also noticed the flavour of those cherries that are still available is not quite as good as it could be.
Since I am more than just a little bit in love with cherries, I’m prone to buying enormous volumes of them at a time. The season is so short, so my mantra is to make the most of it whilst I can. Mantra in mind, I’ll often buy a bounty of cherries with the intention of making jam or some cherry sauce to drop into the freezer for future consumption. Quite often I repeat the same purchase and intention a few days later after getting sidetracked by eating too many cherries straight from the bag. It’s not just me. It’s a family habit.
Given my cherry buying habits, I was obviously fairly miffed when I first realised I’d bought a large stash of lack-lustre cherries 2 weeks ago. They looked the business but tasted as if they had been out on the town partying too hard and sleeping too little. The spring to their step was missing. These were not jam worthy cherries.
But the silver lining is that I got around to making these Roasted Cherries with a hint of balsamic vinegar. The cooking process transformed my jaded bunch of cherries into dark, juicy, intensely flavoured, almost chewy little fruity gems.
Oh and, if you have excellent cherries to start with, these Roasted Cherries just get even better. I’d say verging on dangerously addictive if you already have a mild cherry fetish.
Since my recipe calls for just a couple of spoons of added sugar, the cherries are not overloaded with sauce.
Instead, the juice from the cherries along with the sugar and balsamic vinegar transform into a thick, sticky syrup that just covers the fruit. This makes them perfect for serving with many things. Here are a few of my favourites to get you started:
- Go savoury and serve alongside cheese (I recommend Goats Cheese, Camembert or Brie)
- Top toast with a little ricotta, mascarpone or quark and add a few Roasted Cherries for a delicious breakfast treat
- Sticking with the breakfast theme, serve with Greek yoghurt (and maybe a little granola)
- Serve with ice cream
- Pile into a Victoria Sponge Cake in place of jam
- Use these cherries to top a vanilla cheesecake
Every so often I come across a recipe that is a real find. Something I know I will come back to time and time again. A recipe to experiment with. I don’t come across such recipes that often, but this is the one for this summer. These Roasted Cherries are unbelievably easy to make yet so unexpectedly good.
I also have an easy strawberry sauce recipe that is equally delicious. You can find it here.
Recipe
Roasted Cherries with Balsamic
Ingredients
- 600g/ 21oz Fresh Cherries
- 4 tsp caster sugar (ideally vanilla)
- 1 ½ tsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 150C/ 300F/ GM2 and line a baking tin with baking parchment
- Remove the stalks and pit the cherries. Rip each cherry in half and put onto the parchment
- Sprinkle over the balsamic vinegar and the sugar
- Toss briefly with a metal spoon and roast for 60 minutes, turning and stirring the cherries at 20 minute intervals
- Let cool and store, covered, in the fridge for up to 3 days
Sue
Made this at the weekend and had it on a Bagel with cream cheese and Pastrami. My taste buds were tingling with pleasure. Thanks so much for the recipe. Off to try other combos today.
Jane Saunders
that sounds delicious. Thanks so much for letting me know how you got along 🙂
Pamela (BrooklynFarmGirl)
This looks so good! It would go well with so many desserts 🙂
Jane Saunders
So true Pamela. Thankyou.
Brandi Crawford
This looks delicious! I haven’t had this combo! I love your idea of pairing it with Greek yogurt!
Jane Saunders
Thanks Brandi – it is lovely with Greek Yoghurt – I was out of granola when I took these photos but it’s perfect with them
Alyssa
As soon as I saw these I knew they’d be great atop ice cream! So glad to see you suggested it too.
Jane Saunders
Thanks Alyssa – great minds thinking alike :0
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs
Nooooo I’ve not had my fill of cherries yet! Don’t let it be over. I love roasting cherries but haven’t tried them with balsamic before. Sounds lush!
Jane Saunders
It’s always the same Emma – over in a flash 🙁 Hope you get to enjoys these before they disappear in your neighbourhood.
Jagruti
Thes sounds so delicious, I’ve never roasted cherries , looks so tempting.
Jane Saunders
I can’t believe I’ve never roasted them before either. I am now officially addicted though.
Emily
I LOVE cherries with balsamic vinegar, especially with cheese! I’ve never tried them with cakes or ice cream before but I bet it would be heavenly.
Jane Saunders
If you like them with savoury food you’ll love them as part of dessert too.