Cherry Compote is a sweet, tart, and syrupy sauce that is the delicious on cheesecakes, ice cream, pancakes, and more. It takes just 3 ingredients and 15 minutes to cook up this delicious cherry topping!
We love this homemade cherry compote on so many treats, like vanilla ice cream and yogurt parfaits. But it is so versatile that it is delicious on so many other dishes too! Use fresh or frozen cherries and make a batch to enjoy throughout the week.
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What is Cherry Compote?
Cherry compote is a sweet, thick, and slightly tart topping made by simmering cherries with sugar, and lemon juice and zest. The ingredients are cooked until they form a thick syrup with cherry chunks. This versatile topping can be enjoyed on a variety of sweet breakfasts and desserts.
About Cherry Compote
- Taste - Cherry compote is decadent, sweet, and lightly tart.
- Texture - The compote is syrupy with little cherry chunks.
- Effort - This recipe is simple. All you need to do is stir the ingredients occasionally while they cook.
- Time - It only takes 15 minutes to cook this compote up.
Ingredients
- Cherries - Cherries are delicious as a compote because they are sweet, rich, and lightly tart.
- Sugar or honey - Sugar or honey adds extra sweetness.
- Lemon juice and zest - Lemon juice and zest add brightness and balance the sweetness of the sugar and cherries.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
- Sugar - Use a different sugar depending on your preference, such as date sugar, coconut sugar, or a mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar.
- Orange - Use orange juice and orange zest instead of lemon for a sweeter citrus flavor.
- Spiced Compote - Infuse the compote with warm spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for a cozy twist.
- Liqueur-Infused Compote - Add a splash of liqueur like Amaretto, Grand Marnier, or brandy to add a rich complexity the compote.
Instructions
- Cook ingredients - Add cherries, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice to a medium saucepan. Cook on low heat and stir occasionally until the cherries soften and the liquid becomes syrupy, about 10-15 minutes. (Photo 1 and 2)
- Cool - Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Then transfer to an airtight container or use immediately on top of desserts like ice cream or cake, or breakfast dishes, like French toast, Belgian waffles, and dairy free pancakes. (Photo 3 and 4)
Pro tip- Keep an eye on the compote to ensure it doesn't overcook. The compote should be cooked down but still have cherry chunks.
Storage
This simple cherry compote can be refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze this cherry topping in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months. When you are ready to enjoy it, just let it thaw.
Top Tips
- If you find that the cherries are too big, you can cut them. Since the cherry skins are thick, it will prevent the cherries from breaking down too much.
- If you are using fresh cherries, use a cherry pitter to make the prep quicker.
- If you feel the compote is reducing too quickly, turn down the heat and give it a good stir to release the fruit juices.
- If too much of the liquid has cooked off, you can add 1 to 2 teaspoons of water or lemon juice.
- Freeze compote and defrost as needed so you always have some on hand for desserts and sweet treats.
Recipes FAQs
No, cherry sauce is smooth while cherry compote is thicker with cherry chunks.
Yes, you can adjust the amount of sugar to your preference. But keep in mind that sugar not only adds sweetness it also contributes to the compote's texture.
If your compote is too runny, you can add a little more cherries and sugar to thicken it.
Yes, you can add alcohol like red wine, port, or liqueurs to enhance the flavor. Just be cautious not to add too much, as it could overpower the cherry taste.
Yes, you can use alternative sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, date sugar, coconut sugar, or a mix of brown sugar and granulated sugar. Just keep in mind that changing the sweetener may affect the taste and texture of the compote.
Cherry compote is a versatile topping that can be drizzled on desserts like ice cream, cheesecake, and angel food cake or sweet breakfasts like pancakes, waffles, and yogurt.
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📖 Recipe
Cherry Compote
Equipment
- 1 cherry pitter optional
- 1 saucepan
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries pitted, stems removed
- 3 tablespoon sugar or honey
- 2 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook ingredients - Add cherries, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice to a medium saucepan. Cook on low heat and stir occasionally until the cherries soften and the liquid becomes syrupy, about 10-15 minutes.2 cups fresh or frozen cherries, 3 tablespoon sugar or honey, 2 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Cool - Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Transfer to an airtight container or use immediately on top of desserts like ice cream or cake, or breakfast dishes, like French toast, waffles, and pancakes.
Video
Notes
- Refrigerate this simple cherry compote in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze it in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months. When you are ready to enjoy it, just let it thaw.
- Keep an eye on the compote to ensure it doesn't overcook.
- Don't over stir while the compote cooks or the cherries will break down too quickly.
- If you find that the cherries are too big, you can cut them. Since the cherry skins are thick, the cherries won't break down too much.
- If you feel the compote is reducing too quickly, turn down the heat and give it a good stir to release the fruit juices.
- If too much of the liquid has cooked off, you can add 1 to 2 teaspoons of water or lemon juice.
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