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The dessert, Light and fresh

Roasted vanilla cherries over fresh cheese

Roasted vanilla cherries are a summer dessert for 6, made with oven roasted cherries and whipped fresh cheese. It takes 25 minutes of active work and comes together the same day, with the cherries roasted in the morning and the cheese whipped right before guests arrive. Very easy, about €2.30 per person, the key is serving the warm cherries over cold fresh cheese.

I roast cherries in the oven with vanilla until they caramelize gently, then serve them warm over cold fresh cheese.

Roasted vanilla cherries over fresh cheese
For
6 people
Work
25 min
Total time
1 h 10
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€2.30
Calories per person
210 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Cherries slowly candying in the oven with a real vanilla bean make for a summer dessert that barely asks anything of you. The cooking juices, sweet and fragrant, turn into a natural syrup that pools over whipped fresh cheese, light and creamy. The contrast between the warm fruit and the cold cheese is what makes this simple dessert work.

It's the ideal way to end a summer dinner with friends, when cherries are in season and you don't feel like spending hours in the kitchen. Kids love it as much as adults do, and the dish can be made well ahead, which frees up your hands for the rest of the menu. A dessert that looks like effort without actually being much.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 3 steps, 35 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 10 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

In the morning, preheat the oven, pit the cherries and roast them for about 35 minutes total, then let them cool and keep them in the fridge. Right before guests arrive, whip the fresh cheese and warm the cherries for 10 minutes in a low oven. At serving time, spoon the cheese into bowls and top with the warm cherries and their juices.

The ingredients

6 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Cherries 800 g
  • Lemon 1

Pantry

  • Sugaroften in the pantry 60 g
  • Vanilla bean 1
  • Vanilla sugaroften in the pantry 1 tbsp

Dairy

  • Fresh cheese 600 g

Allergens Lactose

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C, wash and pit the cherries, then arrange them in a baking dish. 15 min

    Use a cherry pitter or a sturdy straw pushed through the stem end, it's quick.

  2. Sprinkle with sugar, add the seeds scraped from the vanilla bean and the lemon juice, then bake until the cherries are soft. 20 min

    Stir halfway through so the juices coat the fruit evenly.

  3. Let the cherries cool to room temperature, then keep the dish in the fridge.

    They keep candying in their juices as they cool.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Whip the fresh cheese with the vanilla sugar and put the dish of cherries back in a 120°C oven for 10 minutes. 10 min

    Whipped, the fresh cheese turns as creamy as a mousse.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Divide the fresh cheese among six bowls and top with the warm cherries and their juices.

    The contrast between warm and cold is what makes this dessert work.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick firm, ripe cherries, they'll hold their shape better in the oven instead of turning to mush.
  • No vanilla bean on hand? A teaspoon of vanilla extract works too, added at the same time as the sugar.
  • Whip the fresh cheese right before serving, it stays creamier than if it sits in the fridge too long.

The variations

  • Swap the cherries for halved apricots or plums, the cooking time stays roughly the same.
  • For a richer version, replace the fresh cheese with mascarpone loosened with a bit of heavy cream.
  • For kids, scatter a few chocolate chips over the cheese right before topping with the cherries.

What to serve it with

  • A shortbread cookie or crisp tuile
  • Coffee or a light tea after dinner
  • A glass of sweet white wine to finish

Storage

The cooked cherries keep for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. The fresh cheese should always be whipped at the last minute, it doesn't freeze well. Warm the cherries gently in the oven or a skillet before serving.

Questions about this recipe

Can you use frozen cherries?

Yes, but don't thaw them first, put them straight in the oven, they'll just need a bit longer to cook. They'll also release more juice, giving you an even more generous syrup.

Do the cherries really need to be pitted?

They're much nicer to eat pitted, especially for kids. A cherry pitter or a sturdy straw pushed through the stem end does the job quickly.

Can fresh cheese be swapped for yogurt?

Yes, thick Greek yogurt gives a similar result with a bit more tang. Avoid runny yogurts, they won't hold up under the cherries.

How can you dress this up for a fancier dinner?

Serve it in clear glasses so you can see the layers of cheese and cherries. Add a fresh mint leaf on top for a pop of color.

Can roasted vanilla cherries over fresh cheese be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 25 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 3 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make roasted vanilla cherries over fresh cheese?

Allow 1 h 10 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 25 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in roasted vanilla cherries over fresh cheese?

About 210 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does roasted vanilla cherries over fresh cheese cost?

About €2.30 per person, that's €13.80 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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