Ingredients:
- 1 pound (about 2 cups) fresh or frozen dark sweet cherries: If fresh, pit them. Frozen pitted cherries save you prep time.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup orange juice (Freshly squeezed is best)
- 1/4 cup brandy (Kirsch, a cherry brandy, is traditional, but regular brandy works well)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (Optional, but adds a lovely depth of flavor)
- Pinch of salt
- Vanilla ice cream (High-quality makes a difference!)
Equipment:
- Large skillet: A 10-inch or 12-inch works well.
- Long matches or a lighter: For the flambé effect.
Instructions
Make the Cherry Sauce:
- In a large skillet, whisk together the sugar and cornstarch.
- Gradually stir in the orange juice until smooth.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until it thickens slightly.
- Add the cherries (drained if frozen), vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and a pinch of salt.
- Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has a rich, syrupy consistency. This takes about 5-10 minutes for fresh cherries and slightly less for frozen.
The Flambé:
- Important Safety Note: Before proceeding, clear the area of flammable objects and ensure you have proper ventilation. Never lean over the pan.
- Remove the pan from the heat.
- Warm the brandy slightly (10-15 seconds in the microwave will do). This helps with ignition.
- Carefully add the brandy to the pan and tilt the pan slightly to ignite the alcohol. A long lighter or long match is the safest way to do this.
- Gently shake the pan until the flames die out naturally (this should only take a few seconds).
Assemble and Serve:
- Spoon generous portions of the warm cherries and sauce over scoops of vanilla ice cream.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the show!
Tips:
- Don’t overcook the cherries in the sauce phase; you want them slightly softened, not mushy.
- The flambé is for WOW factor. If you’re uncomfortable with it, you can simply stir in the brandy and skip the ignition. It will still be delicious.
- High-quality ingredients matter. Use a good vanilla ice cream and a decent brandy – you’ll taste the difference!
