Cherry Desserts for New Year’s Day & Special Occasions
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There’s something beautiful and delicious about cherries. With their rich ruby color and sweet-tart flavor, cherry desserts feel instantly festive—making them perfect for New Year’s Day, winter gatherings, and celebrations at home.
This collection of easy cherry dessert recipes highlights simple, crowd-pleasing treats designed for busy home cooks who still want something special. Many of these cherry desserts can be made ahead, served warm or chilled, and easily adapted for holidays, potlucks, and everyday treats. If you’re searching for festive dessert ideas, cherry desserts for entertaining, or sweet treats to enjoy all season long, these recipes are sure to become favorites.
If you’re planning a holiday menu or building a collection of easy dessert recipes for entertaining, be sure to save this post for later. These cherry desserts pair beautifully with brunch spreads, dinner parties, and even casual family meals—and they’re just as delicious served on a quiet afternoon with a cup of coffee or tea.
Lattice Crust Cherry Pie
Ingredients
- 4 cups cherries (fresh or frozen, pitted)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- FOR CRUST:
- 2 refrigerated or homemade pie crusts
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp coarse sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- In a large bowl, combine cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, almond extract and salt. Stir until evenly combined.
- Roll out one pie crust and place it in bottom of a 9-inch pie dish. Fill with cherry mixture.
- Cut the second pie crust into even strips and weave into a lattice over the filling.
- Brush crust with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.
- Bake for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 375° and bake another 30-35 minutes until filling is bubbly and crust is golden brown.
- Cool on wire rack at least 2 hours before slicing.
- Serving Tip: Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Cherry Almond Crumble
Ingredients
- 4 cups cherries, pitted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- For Crumble Topping:
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°. Grease an 8×8 baking dish.
- Toss cherries with sugar, cornstarch, vanilla and almond extracts. Spread evenly in dish.
- In a small bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in almonds.
- Sprinkle topping evenly over cherries.
- Bake 40-45 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
- Serving Tip: Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding
Ingredients
- 4 cups day-old bread, cubed (I use Brioche or Challah)
- 1-1/2 cups cherries, halved and pitted
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 lrg eggs
- 1-1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Grease an 8×8 baking dish.
- Layer bread cubes, cherries and chocolate chips in the dish.
- Whisk eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, almond extract, cinnamon and salt.
- Pour mixture over bread cubes and gently press down. Let sit for 10-15 minutes to let bread soak up mixture.
- Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes or until center is set.
- Cool slightly before serving.
- Serving Tip: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce.
Cherry Cheesecake
Ingredients
- CRUST:
- 1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- CHEESECAKE LAYER:
- 1 16 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 lrg eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- TOPPING:
- 1-1/2 cups cherry pie filling or homemade cherry compote
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9" cake pan with parchment paper. Can also use a springform pan.
- Mix together crust ingredients and press firmly into bottom of pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs (one at a time) and vanilla extract.
- Pour cheesecake layer over crust.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until center is just set. Don't overbake.
- Cool completely, then spread cherry topping over cheesecake.
- Chill at least 2 hours before slicing.
- Serving Tip: Top cherry layer with whipped cream.
- Make-Ahead Tip: Perfect for prepping the day before serving.
Cherry Shortcake Trifle
Ingredients
- 2 cups pound cake or yellow cake, cubed
- 2 cups cherries, sweetened or in syrup
- 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.
- In clear trifle bowl, layer cake cubes, cherries and whipped cream.
- Repeat layers until bowl is full.
- Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Optional Add-ins: chocolate shavings, toasted almonds, splash of cherry juice over the cake layers.
For more New Year’s Day, Holiday or party inspiration, check out these posts:
- Toast 101: The Perfect Base for Every Meal
- Mother’s Day Breakfast Board (Easy, Beautiful & Foolproof)
- Potatoes 101: Every Way to Cook Potatoes Perfectly
- Eggs 101: Every Way to Cook Eggs (Your Complete Kitchen Guide)
- The Ultimate Meat Doneness Guide + Internal Temperature Chart (Cook Every Meal Perfectly!)
