Best Cherry Brandy Sauce Recipes

PEAR AND SOUR CHERRY BROWN BETTY WITH BRANDY HARD SAUCE

Steps:

• To make the hard sauce, in a medium bowl set an electric mixer on high and beat the butter until fluffy. Reduce speed to low and add confectioners' sugar. When the sugar is incorporated, set the speed back to high. Add the brandy 1 tablespoon at a time and beat until combined. Beat in the nutmeg. Transfer the sauce to a ramekin or bowl, cover and refrigerate. Hard sauce can be made at least a week ahead, but allow it to come to room temperature before serving (about 20 minutes).
• To make the brown betty, heat the Cognac or brandy in a small saucepan over medium heat. When the liquid has come to a simmer, turn off the heat and add the cherries. Allow them to absorb most of the liquid, about 20 minutes.
• While cherries are standing, heat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the sugar mixture for sprinkling. Add bread, butter and lemon zest. Toss until sugar has dissolved and bread is completely coated.
• In a shallow 1 1/2-quart gratin dish (or a 9-by-9-inch pan), scatter a little under half the bread cubes. Layer half the pear slices and half the cherries (along with any liquid) on top. Cover with a cup of bread crumbs and sprinkle with 1 1/2 tablespoons cider. Layer remaining pears, cherries and bread. Sprinkle top with remaining cider and reserved sugar-and-spice mixture.
• Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes. Take off foil and continue baking, until crumbs are golden brown and pears are very soft, about 15 minutes more. Serve warm with dollops of hard sauce.

CHERRY BRANDY SAUCE

Steps:

• Wash and pit cherries.
• Cook in water to cover with cinnamon stick 1 hour.
• Discard cinnamon stick.
• Put cherries through a sieve and bring the juice to the boiling point.
• Soften the cornstarch with a little cold water, mix with the sugar and stir into the juice.
• Cook 10 to 12 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and stir in brandy.
• Serve cold on puddings, fruit cakes, pound or other cakes.

TENDERLOIN FOR TWO WITH CHERRY-BRANDY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the first 7 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until liquid is slightly thickened and reduced to about 1/3 cup. Strain and discard the shallot, peppercorns and bay leaf; set liquid aside., In a large skillet over medium heat, cook steaks in oil and 1-1/2 teaspoons butter for 5-8 minutes on each side or until meat reaches desired doneness (for medium-rare, a thermometer should read 135°; medium, 140°; medium-well, 145°). Remove steaks and keep warm. , Remove pan from the heat; add the reserved broth mixture, then the brandy. Return pan to the heat. Bring to a boil; cook for 5 minutes or until liquid is thickened and reduced to about 1/4 cup. Stir in preserves and remaining butter. Return steaks to the pan; heat through.