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My Cherries Jubilee recipe is bright, tart, and sweet with a kiss of orange. This makes the perfect dessert to serve over vanilla ice cream, cake, or brownies.
More mouthwatering New Orleans desserts: Bananas Foster, King Cake with Cream Cheese Filling, Classic Beignets, Fried Apple Pies, Praline Candy, and New Orleans Bread Pudding.
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As a kid, one of my favorite shows to watch was Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and I had to wait until I got older to try what I saw on this episode. Do you remember the episode when Will burned the kitchen because he was trying to flambe?
Little did I know that episode would hold a special place in my culinary heart.
You see, cherries jubilee is one of those entertaining desserts where you make everything in a skillet and then set it on fire in front of your guest. Even pouring the flaming sauce over vanilla ice cream.
Now, if you successfully pull this off, you'll always have guests talking about how amazing the dinner party was and how you ended the night by setting something on fire.
I'm going to show you how to make a cherries jubilee that's loaded with flavor, easy to make, and perfect for more than just pouring over vanilla ice cream. One of my favorite ways to eat it is over chocolate pancakes.
Why is it called cherries jubilee?
Chef Auguste Escoffier created cherries jubilee as a treat for Queen Victoria, who loved cherries. He combined this sweet and sour dessert because the Queen was celebrating her Diamond Jubilee in 1897.
His original recipe included fresh sweet cherries, sugar, vanilla bean, lemon juice, and kirsch. I don't think he served hers over vanilla ice cream as we serve it today.
Other than that, little is known about its creation of it. Oh, it's worth mentioning that September 24th is National Cherries Jubilee Day.
Key Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need for this simple dessert. You should be able to find everything at your local grocery store for cherries jubilee.
Frozen Cherries
I love to use frozen sweet cherries because I don't have to pit them like fresh cherries. However, when cherries are in season, I love using bing cherries.
Orange
I love to use the zest of oranges to add tons of flavor.
Sugar
A little granulated sugar is needed to sweeten the cherries up.
Brandy
I prefer Brandy to Kirsch because it is easier to find and has more uses.
How to Make Cherries Jubilee Recipe
The hardest thing about making a cherries jubilee is being confident to light it on fire. Other than that, you dump everything into a skillet, and in about 3 minutes, you'll be serving up this flaming beauty.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add cherries, orange zest, sugar, and salt, and cook for 30 seconds until the sugar dissolves. Gently shake the pan back and forth. This will keep you from stirring constantly.
Add vanilla and brandy, carefully ignite, watch out for the flames, and add butter, swirl until butter melts.
Scoop vanilla ice cream into a glass bowl or rock glass. Pour the flaming hot sauce over the vanilla ice cream and serve immediately.
If you want to be cautious, wait until the flames subside to pour the sauce.
Pro Recipe Tips & Tricks
Here are a few things to keep in mind while making this delicious recipe for cherries jubilee.
- When you ignite, use a long lighter, a long match, or a long fireplace match to ensure you do not burn yourself.
- You can use Kirsch if you have some on hand instead of brandy.
- You can use rum or whiskey instead of brandy.
- Adding a pinch of salt brings out all the sweetness.
- Feel free to use lemon juice instead of orange zest.
- You can use 2 tablespoons of orange juice instead of orange zest.
- The alcohol will burn off, so it's safe for the family.
- If you want to make this recipe without alcohol, simply use orange juice as a replacement.
- Serve over a homemade ice cream recipe. Here's mine that doesn't require an ice cream machine.
- Serve it over chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla ice cream.
FAQs
Here are the top questions readers have about cherries jubilee.
Fresh cherries are in season from late spring to mid-summer. You'll find them in abundance from April-July.
Kirsch is a German-made clear spirit that's distilled from sour cherries, as opposed to being created by infusing cherries with liquor like other cherry brandies.
Cherries jubilee is sweet and tart with a bright flavor from the citrus.
If you have cherries that aren't very good, making cherries jubilee is the perfect way to use them.
A cherry jubilee is a popular dessert made from cherries, sugar, lemon juice, kirsch or brandy, and vanilla extract.
The cherries are cooked in a sweet sugar syrup until cherries; then ignited to cook off the alcohol until the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly.
Cherries jubilee is best eaten immediately but will remain fresh for 3 days in the fridge.
To reheat, zap in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or place in a skillet over medium heat until the sauce begins to boil.
More Dessert Recipes
If you love sweets as much as I do, then I know you'll love these recipes too!
- Cherry Galette with Chocolate Port Sauce
- Lemon Ice Box Pie
- Vanilla Wafers Banana Pudding
- Fried Sweet Potato Pie
- Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
Before You Begin
Before getting started, here are the steps I use to get organized.
Step 1: Get all ingredients and tools out for the cherries jubilee recipe on the counter.
Step 2: Measure everything out.
Step 3: Follow the recipe and get ready for the best cherries jubilee you’ve ever enjoyed.
I hope you will consider giving my cherries jubilee recipe a try. If you do, please leave a comment and star rating below. I love hearing from readers and getting feedback. Until next time!
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📖 Recipe
Cherry Jubilee Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz. frozen dark cherries
- zest of 1 medium orange
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup brandy whisky, or rum
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter cold
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the cherries, orange zest, sugar, and salt and cook for 30 seconds until the sugar dissolves. Gently shake the pan back and forth. This will keep you from stirring constantly.
- Add vanilla and brandy, ignite and add butter, stirring until butter melts. Pour flaming sauce over ice cream, cake, or brownies.
- If you want to be cautious, wait until the flames subside to pour the sauce.
Notes
- When you ignite, use a long lighter, a long match, or a long fireplace match to ensure you do not burn yourself.
- You can use Kirsch if you have some on hand instead of brandy.
- You can use rum or whiskey instead of brandy.
- Adding a pinch of salt brings out all the sweetness.
- Feel free to use lemon juice instead of orange zest.
- You can use 2 tablespoons of orange juice instead of orange zest.
- The alcohol will burn off, so it's safe for the family.
- If you want to make this recipe without alcohol, simply use orange juice as a replacement.
- Serve over a homemade ice cream recipe. Here's mine that doesn't require an ice cream machine.
- Serve it over chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla ice cream.
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