How to Pit Cherries with a Cherry Pitter
You may not want to hear this, but cherry pitters were invented for a reason. The standard cherry pitter grips the cherry, pokes the pit through swiftly, smoothly and easily, and has some sort of "splash guard" (because poking a pit through a cherry involves placing pressure on the fleshy, red orb, which will cause its juices to squirt all over). You can purchase one here for under $15, and it's a worthy investment if you just can't get enough of cherries. And who can with these amazing recipes?Bottom line: This is the gadget you need if you're serious about your cherry treats.How to Pit Cherries without a Pitter
The internet would have you believe you can pit cherries with all sorts of household do-dads from paperclips to pastry tips. We don't recommend breaking out the office supplies to pit your cherries. Instead, you can use some common kitchen supplies:- How to pit cherries with a chopstick or wooden skewer: Use a chopstick to poke through cherries to remove the pit. If you're working with a wooden skewer, be mindful of that sharp end!
- How to pit cherries with a straw:Your standard plastic straw might not be up to the job due to the cherry's firm flesh, but if you have reusable strawsmetal or hard plasticmake use of them! Like you would with a strawberry, push the straw up through the bottom of the cherry through the top. You'll get rid of the pit and stem.
Try Grandma's Favorite Cherry Recipes
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Rhubarb Cherry Pie
As a young girl, I dreamed of being able to make pies like my mother. (Her rolling pin, which I inherited, was 2 ft. long and 8 in. wide!) In fact, this is Mom's rhubarb strawberry pie recipe with cherries instead. I first made this pie for a church gathering 20 years ago—ever since, everyone's looked for it at every potluck! —Eunice Hurt, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Cherry Gelatin Supreme
When I was growing up, this yummy, easy-to-make dessert was always on the menu at holiday get-togethers. Years ago, my aunt gave me the recipe, and now when I make it for my family, I think of her. —Janice Rathgeb, Brighton, Illinois
Cherry Cheese Blintzes
These elegant blintzes can be served as an attractive dessert or a brunch entree. The bright cherry sauce gives them a delightful flavor. I sometimes substitute other fruits, such as raspberries, blueberries or peaches. —Jessica Vantrease, Anderson, Alaska
Cinnamon Roll Cherry Cobbler
Red Hots and canned cherries flavor this memorable dessert from my childhood. I hadn’t had it in years, so when I found my mother’s recipe, I had to make it to see if it’s as good as I remembered. It is! —Betty Zorn, Eagle, Idaho
County Fair Cherry Pie
This cherry pie is so easy! I'm a teacher and a Navy wife, so simplicity and quickness are both mealtime musts at our house. —Claudia Youmans, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Cherry Dream Cake
I serve this cherry cake for holidays because it's so festive and easy. No one will know your secret is adding a package of cherry gelatin to a boxed cake mix! —Margaret McNeil, Germantown, Tennessee
Cherry Pudding Cake
A cross between a cake and a cobbler, this dessert is a hit whenever I make it to share at a potluck. My family insists I make an extra batch to leave at home. A neighbor shared the recipe over 30 years ago. —Brenda Parker, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Cherry Bars
Whip up a pan of these festive bars in just 20 minutes with staple ingredients and cherry pie filling. Between the easy preparation and pretty color, they're destined to become a holiday classic. —Jane Kamp, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Lemon Custard Cake
This custard cake recipe comes from my grandma and is nice to whip up when unexpected company stops in. It's a cool, creamy dessert that tastes like you fussed. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
German Black Forest Cake
As far as I know, this cake recipe can be traced back to my German great-grandma. When I got married, my mother gave me a copy and I hope to someday pass it down to my children. —Stephanie Travis, Fallon, Nevada
Cherry Cream Cheese Dessert
Pretty layers of graham cracker crumbs, tasty filling and fruit topping make these cream cheese desserts a standout! For a nice change, you can substitute blueberry pie filling or another fruit flavor for the filling called for in the recipe. —Melody Mellinger, Myerstown, Pennsylvania
Tart Cherry Lattice Pie
Whenever my mom is invited to a party or potluck, everyone requests her homemade double-crust fruit pies. In the summer, she uses fresh tart cherries for this recipe. I love a slice topped with vanilla ice cream. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio
Tart Cherry Meringue Dessert
I've made this cherry dessert for years to serve at baby showers, birthday parties and other special occasions. People really enjoy the tender crust, cherry filling and melt-in-your-mouth meringue. Every time I serve it, someone asks for the recipe. —Kathryn Dawley, Gray, Maine
Mini Cherry Cheesecakes
These little cheesecakes make a fun dessert that's just right for cooks who don't have a lot of time for fussy recipes. Plus, you get to eat the whole thing yourself! —Kay Keller, Morenci, Michigan
Stone Fruit Pie
You can use any type of stone fruit in this pie. I love combining white peaches with sour cherries! —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Chocolate Cherry Layer Cake
This luscious cake is really versatile for all-year fun. I've changed the design on top to a heart for Valentine's, a pumpkin for autumn and a tree for Christmas. —Flo Burtnett, Gage, Oklahoma
Cherry-Berry Streusel Pie
I entered this delicious pie in the Oklahoma State Fair and won a ribbon. It's very pretty and tastes great, especially served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Rosalie Seebeck, Bethany, Oklahoma
Almond Cherry Cobbler
This bubbling cherry cobbler is one of my favorite dishes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. —Melissa Wagner, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Berry Cherry Pie
A neighbor shared this pie with me years ago, and now it has a big fan club. I'm always looking for new treats to bake for my family, but this is one I turn to again and again, especially in summer. —Wanda Van Voorhis, Plain City, Ohio
Minister's Delight
A friend gave me this recipe several years ago. She said a local minister's wife fixed it every Sunday, so she named it accordingly —Mary Ann Potter, Blue Springs, Missouri
Black Forest Chocolate Torte
If you're thinking about pulling out all the stops for a dessert that says "wow," look no further. This cherry-crowned beauty—stacked layers of chocolate cake and cream filling—will have everyone talking. —Doris Grotz, York, Nebraska
Cherry Spice Cake
At least four generations of women in my family have been baking this Cherry Spice Cake. It's always my mom's pick for her birthday. I like to use cream cheese frosting, but when my mother was growing up, my grandma frosted the cake with butter cream.—Laurie Sanders, Manchester, Michigan
Michigan Cherry Pie
This tart Michigan cherry pie is delicious with the streusel topping but even better crowned with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Diane Selich, Vassar, Michigan
Cherry Pecan Upside-Down Cake
Cherries are a terrific take on traditional pineapple upside down cake. The crowning touch on each piece is the creamy, cheesy topping.—Eleanor Froehlich, Rochester, Michigan
Cherry-Peach Dumplings
You can make this fruity dessert on your stovetop, but to really impress your guests, simmer it in an electric skillet right at the dinner table. There’s no more convenient way to enjoy the fruits of the season. —Patricia Frerk, Syracuse, New York
Cherry-Almond Streusel Tart
Brimming with fresh cherries and topped with a crunchy streusel, this tempting tart is a great way to end dinner on a sweet note. It's elegant, tastes delicious, and is so easy to make. —Marion Lee, Mount Hope, Ontario
Cherry Crumb Dessert
This dessert is a sweet treat, especially when garnished with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of ice cream! The crust and crumb topping have a wonderful nutty flavor, and the smooth fruit filling looks beautiful when served. —Ann Eastman, Greenville, California
Apple-Cherry Cream Cheese Pie
A layer of sweetened cream cheese topped with a tart fruit filling makes this apple cherry cheese pie popular with family, friends and co-workers. It won the blue ribbon at a local fair. —Donna L. Rettew, Jonestown, Pennsylvania
Cherry Cream Pie
A favorite vacation spot in Wisconsin—Door County (in the "thumb" of the state)—is known for its abundance of cherry orchards, and that's where this cream pie recipe originated. We think it's a delectable dessert, with a nutty crumb crust, real whipped cream and, of course, cherry pie filling. —Carol Wencka, Greenfield, Wisconsin
Double Cherry Pie
The combination of tart canned cherries and dried cherries make this so yummy. This is the best cherry pie I have ever raised on a fork to my lips! —Jerri Gradert, Lincoln, Nebraska
The post How to Pit Cherries Even If You Don’t Have a Cherry Pitter appeared first on Taste of Home.
Lauren Cahn