15 Ways to Use Maraschino Cherries (2024)

Bright red, syrupy maraschino cherries are the kind of retro garnish that never goes out of style — if you've ever fought a sibling for the one on your sundae or asked for an extra in your co*cktail, you know what we mean. These cherries are just as delicious in pound cakes, cookies, and ice creams as they are on top of drinks, trifles, and hams. Many of these recipes also use the juices in the jar for a double dose of cherry flavor. Need a festive treat for Valentine's Day? You'll find recipe to share with coworkers, classmates, and your sweetheart.

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Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies II

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Looking for a bake sale treat that will wow? These soft, chewy chocolate cookies will sell out fast. They get a double dose of maraschino cherries, with juice from the jar in a melted chocolate drizzle and a whole cherry on top of each cookie. "If you like chocolate and cherries, you will LOVE these cookies," says Cookiesprite.

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Maraschino Cherry Pound Cake

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We're nicknaming this pound cake Pretty in Pink. Chopped maraschino cherries are folded into the batter before baking. More cherries help color the tangy cream cheese frosting that drips down the sides. Bert719 got rave reviews from his office mates: "Everyone who had a piece loved it — great recipe, especially for those who love cherries."

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Divine Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream

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Why top your ice cream sundae with one maraschino cherry when you can fold a whole bunch right into the ice cream? This version truly is divine, with cherry juice in the custard base and chopped cherries and bittersweet chocolate folded in as it freezes. "To die for taste and the presentation is beautiful," says fiji chefmom.

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Cinnamon Tortilla Surprise

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Adult Slushies

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While maraschino cherries are usually a garnish in many co*cktails, this boozy slushie blends them right into the main mixture. It's bright, sweet, and ready for a good time with both vodka and brandy. 3Kids5 loved it as a fun alternative to the classic frozen daiquiri or margarita. "Will make again for another party," she says.

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Banana Split Cake Bars

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Taking inspiration from the classic sundae, this moist snack cake folds in all the essential toppings (crushed pineapple, bananas, and maraschino cherries). Vanilla frosting and crunchy walnuts complete the transformation. Mominml even went one step further. "I topped my piece with hot fudge sauce, and it was wonderful. One of the best banana recipes I've tried!"

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Cherry Walnut Bars

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Your new favorite bar cookie is packed with bright, sweet maraschino cherries. They top a buttery shortbread base along with flaked coconut and walnuts. And since it would be a shame to let the cherry juice go to waste, it's used in a frosting on top. "Unbelievably delicious!" says Yoly. "I will be making these again and again."

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Classic Old Fashioned

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The Old Fashioned is a mainstay on every bar menu for a reason... it's delicious! No glass would be complete without a maraschino cherry and an orange slice. Enjoy as is or try Shadowmerv's twist for even more cherry flavor. "This is my favorite drink in the winter except I substitute maraschino cherry juice for the simple syrup and brandy for the whiskey."

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Cherry Limeade I

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Bubbly, tart-sweet cherry limeade will have you dreaming of drive-in movies, poodle skirts, and park-and-eat diners with servers on roller skates. Maraschino cherries are a must: Their syrup to balances the citrus and add that bright pink color. "I made this for a family outing and received fantastic complements," says Kim.

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English Trifle

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Maraschino cherries shine best as a garnish — the bright red fruit and stem are so eye-catching on cakes, co*cktails, and ice cream. Here, they crown a gorgeous multi-layered trifle with fresh berries, banana, whipped cream, and white cake. It's easy and foolproof, which had MissKarenK raving, "...there is nothing I could possibly mess up with this recipe. I will make this trifle many, many more times."

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Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes

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Pineapple and maraschino cherries are like peanut butter and jelly: You rarely see one without the other! Here, the cherries sit right in the center of individual upside down cakes for a bright red pop. Reviewer Eliza is a fan. "This one is a keeper," she says. The kids had so much fun helping with this too."

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Ham with Pineapple

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The retro classic of ham studded with pineapple rings and maraschino cherries might never go out of style. "Fantastic recipe. My whole family was ranting and raving about how delicious and juicy it was," says Lindsay. Save the juice from the jar for sweetening plain seltzer or combining with powdered sugar for a cake or scone glaze.

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Shirley Temple

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What grown-up mocktail do kids order at nice restaurants? A Shirley Temple, of course! This combo of lemon-lime soda, grenadine, and maraschino cherries brought back fond memories for naples34102. "This is the 'Kiddie co*cktail' from my childhood," he says. Serve in tall glasses for kids and kids at heart.

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Chocolate Covered Cherries

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Skip the heart-shaped box of chocolates this year and make your own confections instead. Whole maraschino cherries are wrapped in a melt-in-your-mouth whipped butter mixture, then dipped in melted chocolate. "These are hands down the best chocolate cherries I have ever eaten!" says Tracy.

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Maraschino Cherry Almond Cookies

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Tender almond scented sugar cookies get delicious pops of pink thanks to chopped maraschino cherries. Because they are preserved, not fresh, they won't release lots of juices or cause the cookies to become soggy. "I had rave reviews from friends and family when I made these cookies," says jutecat.