Best Cherry Vanilla Recipes

DRIED CHERRY AND ALMOND COOKIES WITH VANILLA ICING

Steps:

• For the Cookies:
• In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, and salt until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in the egg. Add the flour and beat on the lowest speed until just blended. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the dried cherries and almonds.
• Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and shape it into a log, about 12-inches long and 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Wrap the dough in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. (Dough can be made up to 3 days in advance).
• Arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 heavy baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Cut the log crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Transfer the dough slices to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1-inch apart. Bake until the cookies are golden around the edges and puffed, about 15 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before icing, about 30 minutes.
• For the Icing:
• Put the powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in the vanilla extract and water, adding more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the mixture becomes a drizzling consistency. (Makes about 2/3 cups icing, enough to ice both variations.)
• Put the cooled cookies on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Using a spoon or a fork, drizzle the cookies with the icing, allowing any excess icing to drip onto the baking sheet. Allow the icing to set before serving, about 1 hour.
• Cook's Note: To toast the almonds, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly toasted. Cool completely before using.
• Cook's Note Alternative:
• Replace the dried cherries with 1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots and add 2 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts. Also, use 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and omit the almond extract.

VANILLA CHERRY ICE CREAM

Steps:

• Combine the cream, milk, and sugar in a bowl. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Stir in the vanilla and almond extract. Add the cherries. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 2 hours before serving.

BOURBON-SOAKED CHERRY BREAD PUDDING WITH VANILLA GLAZE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and position a rack in the center of the oven. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with butter and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the cubed bread, sugar, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, melted butter and milk; mix thoroughly, then transfer to the prepared baking dish. Pour in the bourbon, and gently fold in the cherries.
• Place in the oven and bake until puffed and golden brown on top, about 45 minutes. Set aside and let cool completely.
• Pour the vanilla glaze over the bread pudding and serve.
• Place the confectioner's sugar in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in the melted butter, vanilla and bourbon until completely combined and smooth. Taste for bourbon; add as needed.

MINI CHERRY CHEESECAKES WITH VANILLA WAFER CRUSTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, lemon juice and vanilla until light and fluffy.
• Line regular sized muffin pans or cupcake tins with paper baking cups and place a vanilla wafer in the bottom of each cup.
• Fill the cups 2/3 full of cream cheese mixture.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until set.
• When warm, top each with a tablespoon of cherry filling.
• Chill in refrigerator.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE MALT SHOP CUPCAKES WITH CHERRY-VANILLA BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 regular 12-cup cupcake tins with paper liners.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk until well blended.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, malted milk powder, and espresso powder. Add the canola oil and eggs; whisk to blend. Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and beat until smooth. Add the sour cream and vanilla and beat until well combined. Stir in the miniature chocolate chips.
• Divide the batter among the prepared cupcake tins, filling only halfway full. Bake the cupcakes for 15 to 17 minutes, until they spring back when touched and a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.
• While the cupcakes bake, prepare the buttercream. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the sugar and the butter on medium-low speed until well blended. Add the vanilla and whipping cream and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, until light, spreadable and fluffy. Beat in the cherry preserves until well incorporated.
• When the cupcakes have finished baking, let sit in the pans for 2 minutes and then transfer the cupcakes to wire racks to cool for 10 minutes more.
• While the cupcakes cool, transfer the buttercream to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Alternatively, you can frost the cupcakes with a knife or offset spatula. When the cupcakes have cooled, pipe the buttercream in decorative swirls on top of the cupcake (or swirl with a spatula). Garnish the top of each cupcake with a malted milk ball or cherry and serve.

CHOCOLATE-CHERRY POKE CAKE (OR VANILLA)

Steps:

• Prepare and bake the cake mix according to package directions in a greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
• Cool then remove the cake from the pan.
• Immediately poke holes down into the cake using a fork (holes should be at 1-in intervals).
• Cool cake completely.
• When the cake is cooked combine the Jello with boiling water until combined; pour the mixture over the cake.
• Top with pie filling, then cover with Cool Whip or whipped cream.
• If making the chocolate cake sprinkle grated chocolate over the top or chopped nuts (this is only optional).

FRESH PEAR AND CHERRY SALAD WITH VANILLA PEAR VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine sugar, cinnamon and walnuts in a skillet over medium heat. Mix together until sugar and cinnamon are melted and walnuts are evenly coated. Remove from heat. Spread walnuts on a large plate to cool.
• In the container of a blender, combine the drained pears, 1/3 cup of the reserved syrup from the can, vinegar, yogurt, honey, salt, pepper, vanilla extract, and nutmeg; blend until smooth.
• Assemble the salad by tossing together the mixed greens, spinach, pear slices, dried cherries, feta cheese, and walnuts in a serving bowl. Serve with dressing on the side.

VANILLA ICE CREAM WITH WARM CHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Pour juices from cherries into glass cup. Add kirsch. Add enough red wine to measure 1 cup. Stir 3 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in heavy small saucepan until no lumps remain. Gradually whisk in wine mixture, then cherries. Cook over medium-high heat until sauce boils, thickens and is translucent, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in almond extract. (Sauce can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over low heat before serving.)
• Divide vanilla ice cream among bowls. Spoon warm sauce over and serve immediately.

CHERRY-VANILLA CRISP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-inch-square baking dish.
• Toss the cherries in a large bowl with 1/2 cup sugar, the rum, vanilla, cinnamon, salt and 2 tablespoons flour. Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
• Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup flour, the oats, almonds and the remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a medium bowl. Stir in the melted butter until combined, then sprinkle the mixture over the cherries. Bake until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown, 50 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool slightly before serving.

VANILLA CHIP CHERRY COOKIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extract. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in chips and cherries. , Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

CHERRY VANILLA OATMEAL

Steps:

• Put water, oats, salt and cherries into a medium sized saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes for Old Fashioned Oats, or 1 minute for Quick Cooking Oats. Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and cherry jam. Put into serving bowls and pour 2 tablespoons of milk over each bowl.

CHERRY-VANILLA BEAN ICE CREAM WITH CHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Make sauce:
• Combine cherries and sugar in heavy large saucepan; toss to coat. Let stand until juices form, about 2 hours. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until liquid thickens slightly, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat; mix in brandy. Transfer 1 cup cherry mixture to small bowl; reserve for use in ice cream. Mix preserves into remaining cherry mixture in saucepan; reserve for sauce. Chill both cherry mixtures separately at least 2 hours. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover and keep refrigerated.)
• Make ice cream:
• Pour half and half into heavy medium saucepan. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Bring to boil. Remove from heat; steep 30 minutes. Whisk sugar and yolks in medium bowl to blend well. Bring half and half to simmer. Gradually whisk hot half and half into yolk mixture. Return mixture to same saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until custard thickens and leaves path on back of spoon when finger is drawn across, about 4 minutes (do not boil). Remove from heat. Mix in whipping cream and vanilla. Refrigerate until cold, stirring occasionally, about 2 hours.
• Using ice cream maker, process custard until almost firm, following manufacturer's instructions; add reserved 1 cup cherry mixture. Process until ice cream firms, about 15 minutes longer. Transfer to container; cover and freeze. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep frozen.)
• Scoop ice cream into bowls. Top with reserved sauce and serve.

CHOCOLATE AND VANILLA PARFAITS WITH CHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Make cherry sauce:
• Stir cheryy juices and sugar in medium saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat; boil 5 minutes. Add cherries; return to boil. Refrigerate until cold. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover; keep chilled.)
• Make chocolate parfait:
• Place chocolate in medium metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not let bottom of bowl touch water). Whisk constantly until very thick and thermometer registers 160°F, about 5 minutes.
• Beat cream in medium bowl to soft peaks. Gently fold chocolate, then cream into egg mixture. Spoon chocolate parfait into 8 pilsner glasses or goblets. Freeze.
• Make vanilla parfait:
• Combine eggs yolk and sugar in small metal bowl. Set over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water.) Whisk constantly until mixture is very thick and thermometer registers 160°F, about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Beat with electric mixture until cool and very fluffy, about 5 minutes.
• Place cream in medium bowl. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean; beat to soft peaks. Fold cream into egg mixture. spoon vanilla parfait atop chocolate parfait. Cover; freeze 4 hours or up to 3 days.
• Spoon cherry sauce atop parfaits.

DRIED CHERRY AND ALMOND COOKIES WITH VANILLA ICING

Steps:

• FOR THE COOKIES: In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, and salt until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in the egg. Add the flour and beat on the lowest speed until just blended. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the dried cherries and almonds.
• Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and shape it into a log, about 12-inches long and 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Wrap the dough in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. (Dough can be made up to 3 days in advance).
• Arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 heavy baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Cut the log crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Transfer the dough slices to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1-inch apart. Bake until the cookies are golden around the edges and puffed, about 15 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before icing, about 30 minutes.
• FOR THE ICING: Put the powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in the vanilla extract and water, adding more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the mixture becomes a drizzling consistency. (Makes about 2/3 cups icing, enough to ice both variations.).
• Put the cooled cookies on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Using a spoon or a fork, drizzle the cookies with the icing, allowing any excess icing to drip onto the baking sheet. Allow the icing to set before serving, about 1 hour.
• Cook's Note: To toast the almonds, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly toasted. Cool completely before using.
• Cook's Note Alternative: Replace the dried cherries with 1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots and add 2 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts. Also, use 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and omit the almond extract.

OLD-FASHIONED CHERRY VANILLA PIE

Steps:

• Make dough:
• Cut butter into pieces. In a bowl with a pastry blender or in a food processor blend or pulse together flour, salt, butter, and shortening until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 5 tablespoons ice water and toss or pulse just until mixture forms a dough, adding additional ice water, a little at a time, if dough is too dry. Divide dough in half and flatten each piece into a disk. Chill dough, wrapped in plastic wrap, at least 30 minutes and up to 3 days.
• Make filling:
• In a small bowl stir together sugar, tapioca, salt, and cinnamon. In a large heavy skillet cook fresh or frozen cherries over moderately high heat, stirring, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. With a slotted spoon transfer cherries to a heatproof bowl. Add sugar mixture to cherry juices in skillet and simmer, stirring, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir cherry sauce and vanilla into cherries and cool.
• Line lower rack of oven with foil and preheat oven to 400° F.
• On a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin roll out 1 piece dough into an 11-inch round (about 1/8 inch thick). Fit dough into a 9-inch (1-quart) pie plate, leaving a 3/4-inch overhang. Pour filling into shell and chill, loosely covered with plastic wrap.
• On a lightly floured surface roll out remaining dough into an 11-inch round (about 1/8 inch thick) and with a sharp knife or fluted pastry wheel cut into 1-inch-wide strips. Working on a sheet of wax paper set on a baking sheet, weave pastry strips in a close lattice pattern. Chill or freeze lattice on wax paper on a flat surface 20 minutes, or until firm. Brush edge of filled shell with cold water and slide lattice off wax paper and onto pie. Let lattice stand 10 minutes to soften. Trim edges flush with rim of pie plate and crimp decoratively. Gently brush lattice top with cold water and sprinkle with sugar.
• Bake pie in middle of oven 45 minutes, or until pastry is golden and filling just begins to bubble, and transfer to a rack to cool slightly. Serve pie warm with ice cream.

CHERRY VANILLA FUDGE

Steps:

• Combine sugar, salt, cream, mil, corn syrup and butter in a large heavy saucepan.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to boiling.
• Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until candy thermometer reaches 238F (soft-ball stage).
• Remove from heat, leaving thermometer in the saucepan. Cool to 100°F.
• Add vanilla. Beat briskly until fudge thickens and begins to lose its gloss.
• Stir in cherries.
• Pour into buttered 8" square pan.
• Cool. Cut into squares when firm.

CHERRY BROWN BUTTER CROSTATA WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM AND CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• For the ice cream: In a medium saucepan, combine the cream, 1/2 cup of the granulated sugar, and vanilla bean. Bring just to a simmer, stirring occasionally, then remove from the heat.
• In a small bowl, combine the eggs and the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and beat to a homogeneous consistency.
• Strain a third of the cream mixture into the egg mixture, whisk to combine, and then immediately whisk the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the cream. Chill in an ice bath and place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
• Churn in an ice cream machine according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• For the crust: Combine the butter, flour and salt in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture looks like grated Parmesan. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons of the ice water, and pulse until the mixture forms a rough ball, adding the remaining 2 tablespoons ice water if needed. Remove the dough from the food processor and form into a disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• For the filling: Melt the butter in a small saucepan and cook it until it starts to brown and begins to smell like hazelnuts. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer equipped with a paddle. Add the sugar and beat on medium speed.
• Gradually add the flour. Once the flour has combined, add the eggs, one at a time. Beat in the vanilla bean seeds.
• To assemble: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Dust a clean work surface with flour. Roll out the dough to a 1/8-inch thickness, and cut into 4 rounds. Lay the rounds in four 4-inch ring molds, leaving lots of overhang on the sides. Schmear the filling into the bottom of the ring molds, and top with the cherries. Fold the overhanging dough over the cherries. Brush the dough with the egg wash. Bake until golden brown and crispy on top, 45 to 50 minutes.
• For the caramel: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons water. Bring the pan to medium-high heat; while doing so, be careful not to swish the pan around--it could cause the sugar to recrystallize. As the sugar mixture boils, the water will eventually evaporate and the sugar will begin to turn brown, or "caramelize." Pay close attention! Things can take a terrible turn for the worse here, and there will be no recovery. As the sugar turns gold, followed by light brown, and then a pale shade of darker brown, remove it from the heat and add the heavy cream. Be careful when you do this--it will bubble up like crazy, and getting it on you could cause a severe burn! Be sure to have a saucepan large enough to accommodate the bubbling up. Whisk until things settle down, then add the butter, 2 pats at a time, whisking until completely incorporated before adding more butter.
• Spread some of the caramel onto four serving plates. Unmold the crostatas and set them on top of the caramel. Top with a scoop of ice cream.

NEW YORK STEAKS WITH A VANILLA AND CHERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil the grate. Rub the New York steaks on both sides with the Worcestershire sauce, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cook the steaks on the preheated grill until they are beginning to firm, and are hot and slightly pink in the center, 6 to 7 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). Once the steaks are done, cover them with two layers of aluminum foil, and allow to rest in a warm area for 10 minutes.
• While the steaks are cooking, prepare the cherry sauce by bringing the red wine to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat; boil for 5 minutes. Stir in the cherries, sugar, and vanilla extract. Return to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, and simmer until the cherries are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Dissolve the cornstarch in the water, then stir into the simmering cherry sauce. Cook for a few minutes until the cherry sauce thickens. Pour the sauce over the steaks to serve.

VANILLA CHERRY CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F and arrange a rack in the middle. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl until evenly combined; set aside.
• Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment beat together the butter and sugars over medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce the speed to low, add the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Stir in the chocolate and cherries until they are uniformly distributed.
• Scoop the dough by rounded tablespoons onto a baking sheet. Bake until the cookie edges are golden brown, about 14 minutes. Leave the cookies on the baking sheets on racks for 3 minutes. Repeat this process with the remaining dough. Using a spatula, transfer the cookies to racks to cool completely before serving.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY BREAD PUDDING WITH VANILLA SAUCE

Steps:

• For the vanilla sauce: Bring the milk and salt to a simmer over medium heat in a 2-quart heavy saucepan. Whisk together the yolks and sugar in a bowl until combined, and then add to the hot milk in a slow stream, whisking. Transfer the custard back to the saucepan and cook over moderately-low heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the custard coats back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl and stir in the vanilla. Cover the surface of the custard with a round of wax paper and chill until cold, at least 1 hour.
• For the bread pudding: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. In large mixing bowl, toss together the donut slices, dried cherries and white chocolate. Set aside. In second large mixing bowl, stir together the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Measure out 1/4 cup of spiced sugar into a small bowl and set aside.
• In a third large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, milk and vanilla. Whisk the eggs into the large bowl of spiced sugar, and then pour over the bread-chocolate mixture and stir to combine. Pour the batter into a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan and sprinkle with the reserved 1/4 cup spiced sugar. Scatter the butter cubes over top and bake until golden brown and just set in middle, 50 to 60 minutes. Serve with the vanilla sauce.