25 Cherry Desserts To Brighten Up Any Occasion

Fresh (or frozen) cherries are the perfect complement to the fruity flavor of olive oil, nutty pistachios, and lemon zest in this flavorful, one-bowl cake. A light dusting of powdered sugar is the perfect final flourish.

These stunning cherry hand pies are the dessert form of a refreshing cherry limeade. The filling combines sweet cherries with fresh lime zest and it’s all put into a flaky crust.

If you talk to any Southern grandma, they’ll likely enjoy a bright ambrosia salad. This recipe takes the retro classic and turns it into a unique breakfast treat. The cinnamon rolls are filled with orange zest, pineapple tidbits, maraschino cherries to add a fruity, sweet twist.

Combine two delicious desserts with these gorgeous cherry cheesecake brownies. Cream cheese and cherry pie filling are combined to make a soft cheesecake-inspired layer to top irresistibly fudgy brownies.

If ambrosia and pistachio fluff came together, heavenly hash might be close to what their progeny would be. Our version is made with frozen whipped topping, canned pineapple, maraschino cherries, mini marshmallows, and cocoa powder for a rich, creamy, and sweet treat.

You can’t have a pineapple upside-down cake without the bright red from maraschino cherries. This recipe takes the classic and turns it into a dump cake to make it a foolproof dessert that will be a welcome treat on any table.

This no-bake pie recipe is colorful and fun for any occasion. Make it ahead to ensure easy slicing from the fridge. Crushed pineapple, maraschino cherries, shredded coconut, and pecans combine together to make a creamy, crunchy delight.

This quintessentially Southern dessert is similar to a trifle and couldn’t be easier to whip up. Made with boxed cake mix, vanilla pudding mix, cherry pie filling, nuts, and more canned fruits, this is a perfect crowd-pleaser that won’t break the bank.

Craft the ultimate comfort dessert with this stone fruit slab pie. Made with bing cherries, peaches and nectarines, this pie is formed in a 15×10 pan for a shareable dessert that only takes 20 minutes of active time.

The Southern Living Christmas white cake is something many Southerners look forward to, and the 2023 cake was the stunning Redbird Cake. This cake is similar to a hummingbird cake with the addition of maraschino cherries for a hint of sweetness and holiday flair.

This throwback cookie rose to popularity in the 1950s when it won the national Pillsbury baking contest. Serve it at your next part and when you describe it as award-winning, you and your guests will understand why.

It’s no secret: We love an icebox here at Southern Living. Why? It’s a no-bake delight that just requires you to layer whipped cream, cream cheese, cherry preserves, and graham crackers, into one make-ahead pie.

You need just five ingredients to whip up this retro salad and make Grandma’s day at your next Sunday supper. Made with cream cheese, cherry gelatin mix, cherry pie filling, whipped topping, and mini marshmallows, this dessert is as simple as it is delicious.

Cheerwine, the cherry-flavored soft drink from North Carolina, is a beloved beverage throughout the South, and these cupcakes highlight their sweet flavor perfectly. From the filling to the frosting to the cherry on top, there’s no shortage of cherry flavor in these Cheerwine-inspired treats.

As the name implies, all you have to do is dump the ingredients for this easy cake into a baking dish and 45 minutes later you’ll be enjoying it. Pineapple tidbit and cherry pie filling bake together and form a sweet, tart treat that couldn’t be easier.

Graham crackers, cream cheese, and cherries are layered to make this classic dessert recipe. These cherry delights come together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for potlucks and family dinners.

Impress your guests with this stunning wreath pastry. Bright cherries are added to this sweet almond ring dessert, which doesn’t just have to be for the holidays.

Make the classic American favorite even more shareable with these cherry pie bars. Aside from pantry staples, you’ll need just a few ingredients to whip up these cherry-speckled treats.

There’s no dessert quite as simple to make than a dump cake, and this cherry dump cake combines sweetness and tartness in the best way. Made with just four ingredients, cover dessert easily with this cake.

This cherry turnover recipe is so good we won’t judge if you serve if for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—or all of the above. The bright and sweet cherry filling is the ideal flavor companion to the crisp and buttery puff pastry with a simple but effective glaze.

No dessert will win a blue ribbon faster at the bake sale than a from-scratch cherry pie. This recipe is a tried-and-true version that absolutely everyone will enjoy. Don’t forget a scoop of vanilla ice cream with your slice! 

For U.S. Army veteran, chef, and Texas restaurateur Nicola Blaque, it’s not the holidays without this spiced rum cake. It’s a great make-ahead option for the busy season, and it includes cherries in the batter and on top as garnish.

Our Test Kitchen is always on the hunt for creative ways to rethink old-school Southern classics. This layered beauty combines the flavors and colors of ambrosia with the impressive presentation and taste of a trifle. 

These bite-size delights have a simple ingredient list, and you probably already have everything on hand. They need just 15 minutes of hands-on time, too, making them an ideal choice for busy hosts. 

This recipe might be called a “salad,” but with an ingredient list that includes cherry pie filling, fresh fruit, mini marshmallows, and whipped cream, it can definitely be considered dessert.