26 cherry brandy recipes

A German classic, rich and delicious and not too sweet!

"This cake is a rich, dark, moist fruit cake, very flavorful at Christmas. Try icing with almond paste for a more festive touch. This recipe is started in October or November so as to let it mellow before the holidays. I remember very well my mother storing her fruit cake in an old butter churn that belonged to my grandmother and great grandmother. I wish that I had that old crock."

This Christmas pudding has plenty of delicious fruit and nuts, but it's really simple to make - just plan ahead and then make the warm vanilla-bean custard on the day.

Fresh cherries preserved in grappa with sugar, sun-steeped for a week then aged 3 months. A classic Italian after-dinner treat with boozy, fruit-soaked elegance. Only 3 ingredients.

Meersburger Kirschen-Dessert is a German cherry trifle with kirsch-soaked tart cherries layered over ladyfingers, topped with a cream cheese, almond, and whipped cream mousse. A Lake Constance classic in coupe glasses.

Handmade liqueur-filled chocolates with a kirsch or Chambord fondant center coated in semi-sweet chocolate. These molded truffles make a sophisticated homemade candy gift for holidays and special occasions.

A puffed, soufflé-like baked pudding with semi-sweet chocolate, ground almonds, kirsch, and whole sour cherries. Beaten egg whites give it lift while the cherry brandy brings authentic Black Forest flavor.

German cherry dessert Meersburg layers kirsch-soaked tart cherries over ladyfingers, then crowns with almond cream cheese mousse. A no-bake riff on Black Forest flavors.

Meersburger cherry dessert with kirsch-soaked tart cherries layered over ladyfingers, topped with an almond cream cheese mousse and chopped pistachios.

Meersburger Kirschen-Dessert (Cherry Desert) recipe

Kirsch-soaked tart cherries layered over ladyfingers and topped with almond cream cheese mousse, finished with chopped pistachios. An elegant German-inspired parfait.

Schwarzwalder kirschtorte (Black Forest cake): a three-layer German chocolate-almond sponge soaked in kirsch, filled with whipped cream and sour cherries. The classic Schwarzwald showpiece.

Chilled cherry soup with white wine, sour cream, cinnamon, and optional brandy. A silky, sweet-tart Hungarian-style cold soup made from fresh cherries.

Elegant cranberry twist on Peach Melba with poached peach halves, vanilla ice cream, and a pureed cranberry-kirsch sauce. A stunning dinner party dessert served in stemmed glasses.

Almond Butter Disks: piped European-style almond cookies flavored with dark rum and lemon zest, sandwiched with raspberry-kirsch glaze. Patisserie elegance, makes 18 sandwiches.

Showstopping chocolate mousse pie with brandy-soaked chocolate-dipped cherries, a cookie crust, and a filling loaded with 12 oz of chocolate, coffee, and whipped cream.