Cherry season makes me happy because it means that juicy fresh cherries are ripe for sweet desserts. Mid-summer months are the perfect time to pick cherries. If you have an abundance of cherries from the farm, make this delicious Homemade Cherry Syrup Recipe to use on waffles, pancakes or ice cream. Don’t worry – you can use frozen cherries to make this syrup too!

Making a homemade syrup is actually quite easy. It involves a little bit of work over the stove top and being patient. Basically, the cherry juice combines with a simple syrup that you’re making. As the juices run out and it gets thicker, you’re left with a delicious and sweet syrup.

Pour the hot cherry syrup over your waffles – like these amazing Cherry Chocolate Chip Waffles – for added flavor. You can also store it in the refrigerator to use for other desserts. My kids love the cherry syrup over ice cream. It’s even great for drinks too! There are so many possibilities and it’s a great way to use cherries.

Looking for even more great recipes from fresh fruit? Here are some of my reader favorites:

• Homemade Peach Puree
• Homemade Strawberry Puree For Drinks
• Easy Fruit Salsa Recipe

How To Make This Homemade Cherry Syrup Recipe

You’ll make your syrup in a saucepan over the stove top. All you need is a small saucepan that distributes heat evenly. I like to use a wooden spoon, instead of metal, so I don’t damage any nonstick surface. That’s about it and it’s easy to make, with the biggest concern is making sure nothing burns by watching over it as it cooks.

What To Serve With Cherry Syrup

Make your syrup to serve over waffles, pancakes and ice cream sundaes. You can also chill it in the refrigerator to use in drink recipes. It would be delicious in an Italian Soda or to make a cocktail with. Just a few tablespoons goes a long way since it’s so sweet!

How To Store Leftover Cherry Syrup

Keep all leftover syrup in an airtight food storage container once it has completely cooled. Let it cool in the original saucepan before transferring to either serve it or store it. It will keep in the refrigerator and you can enjoy it within 4 days for best freshness. Toss it after that.

You can also freeze your syrup for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator before serving again. Reheat it for a minute, and stir, in the microwave if you want to heat it.

Recipe Substitutions

You can use frozen cherries if you don’t have any fresh cherries available. They were just as well and they have just as much flavor. Sometimes I like using frozen cherries because I know they were picked when most ripe and sweet. The other recipe substitution you can make is to use an artificial sweetener to make it a sugar-free syrup. Follow the sweetener directions to make the substitution and use the right measurements.

What You’ll Need From The Grocery Store:

• Granulated Sugar
• Cornstarch
• Cherries (Fresh or Frozen)
• Water

Step-By-Step Directions To Make Cherry Syrup

In a small saucepan, cook and stir sugar and 1/2 cup water over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. This will be a simple syrup base.

Add cherries; cook and stir until cherries are tender, 3-5 minutes.

Mix cornstarch and remaining 2 tablespoons water until smooth; stir into pan. DO NOT dump cornstarch directly into the saucepan.

Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Remove and keep warm to serve immediately or transfer to an airtight food storage container for later use.