Simple Cherry Compote Recipe

Sweet, tart, and bursting with stone fruit goodness, this slightly chunky simple Cherry Compote is the easy recipe you need during cherry season. My refreshingly easy cherry red compote recipe is perfect for adding colorful flair and finger-licking flavor to everything from your favorite breakfasts to desserts!

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe 

I’m not sure if you know this about me, but fruit-based condiments are my favorite things to make and enjoy during the summer season. I have a number of recipes for purées, curds, jams, sauces, syrups, and compotes on the blog already, and you can definitely expect more out of me in the future. After all, who doesn’t love the pure, colorful, flavorful goodness of fruit?!? 

Aside from being the delicious and simple, this gorgeous ruby easy cherry compote recipe is also:

• Quick & Easy - You only need 1 pan and about 10 minutes of active time to make it - it's a breeze especially if you're using a cherry pitter! 
• Made With Only 3 Ingredients - A short ingredient list makes things simple, but also lets the star ingredient shine through magnificently.
• Super Versatile - Whether you use this cherry compote for delicious topping on an angel food cake, cake, ice cream, pavlovas, oatmeal, yogurt, breakfast parfaits, or pancakes, one thing remains the same: you’re going to love it.
• Budget-Friendly - Store-bought fruit preserves are often very expensive ($3+ for a tiny jar) and filled with strange preservatives and artificial ingredients. This simple homemade recipe will yield you a nice big jar of entirely natural fruity goodness, so your body and your budget will both be happy.

🍴Ingredients 

As promised, you only need a few simple ingredients to make this easy recipe for cherry compote:

• Fresh Cherries - Either fresh or frozen cherries will work beautifully here. You are also welcome to swap in the variety of your choice (e.g. sour cherries, plums, black ripe cherries, boysenberries) or use a mix.
• Granulated Sugar - Plain white sugar has a neutral flavor, which allows the full flavor of the cherries to shine through. Feel free to swap in organic cane sugar if you prefer.
• Lime Juice & Zest - Using the juice of about ½ of a fresh lime will add extra brightness to the taste of your compote, plus it’ll help to preserve the gorgeous red color. You’re also welcome to use lime juice if you prefer a slightly more tropical flavor profile.
• Vanilla Extract - To add a bit more depth to our flavor combination here!

⏲️ Substitutions & Variations

As much as I love the pure, bright simplicity of this easy fruit compote, you can easily put your own stamp on it. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• Swap in a different stone fruit, or use a mixture of your favorites. Sweet cherries, tart cherries, bing cherries and sour cherry varieties are all welcome here! I have a recipe for apricot preserves, strawberry compote and raspberry compote as well if you're wanting to make a few batches to have on hand!
• Add other fruits like chopped peaches or plums. You could also add orange zest, almond extract, orange juice, lemon juice or lemon extract for an extra kick! Mix and match to your heart’s content. 
• Add aromatics like a vanilla bean, a splash of red wine, balsamic vinegar, vanilla extract or a cinnamon stick to give it extra flavor.

📖 How to Make Cherry Compote

This tasty compote recipe comes together in a few easy steps. Here’s how:

Step 1: Start by pitting the cherries in a small bowl. I find that using a cherry pitter is the best way to get rid of those pesky cherry pits! Slice the cherries in half with a paring knife. 

Step 2: Heat the pitted cherries in a small saucepan with granulated sugar and water over medium heat, while pressing gently to break them down with a spatula.

Step 3: Simmer. Bring the cherry mixture to a boil on the stove on medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for about 15 minutes. 

Step 4: Add Lime & Vanilla. Remove from the heat, stir in fresh lime juice, and allow the homemade compote to cool. Store in an airtight container and use as you please!

Expert Tips & Serving Suggestions

• Don’t overcook the cherries. Heat can help cherries break down, releasing all their tasty juices. That said, overcooking can lead to the fresh cherries breaking down entirely (like they would in a purée), which would prohibit the slight chunkiness we’re after and degrade the flavor of the fruit.
• Wait to add the lime juice. For the best result, you want all the active compounds to remain intact to keep your compote looking nice and vibrant.
• Don’t bother defrosting. If you’re making a frozen cherry compote, save yourself some time by dumping the frozen cherries directly into your saucepan.

Once made, this delectably fruit-forward homemade cherry compote can be used in dozens of different ways. Here are some of my favorite ways to use this perfect sauce:

• Using cherry compote for cheesecake or cake garnish is as simple as swirling a bit on the dessert plate underneath, or the perfect topping on your favorites. It pairs especially well with pound cake, 
• Try drizzling some as a topping on chocolate, vanilla ice cream or passion fruit ice cream.
• Swirl it into a “fool” or layer it into a “mess” using sweetened whipped cream and meringues. You can also use it as a topping on pavlovas (large-format meringues), preferably with chantilly cream and extra fresh cherries.
• Add some to your morning smoothies or plain yogurt for extra sweet-tart pizazz.
• Drizzle some on your oatmeal, porridge, pancakes, french toast, waffles, or other sweet breakfast favorites with a touch of peanut butter.
• Use it on cheese plates, charcuterie boards or add it to grilled cheese sandwiches. (Fresh sourdough + brie + cream cheese + cherry compote + dark chocolate = insanely delicious sandwich)

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