Cherries on top


Cherries are such a beautiful fruit – small, almost berry–like, dark and sweet, the perfect pick-and-eat fruit.  Cherry trees are also some of the most prettiest trees out there – their blossoms so gorgeous and pink. I have many childhood memories of having kind of overdosed on fruit - sitting under cherry trees in friends' backyards, happily eating way too many cherries.

While I enjoy eating cherries on their own, I also love pairing them with other fresh ingredients to make simple desserts.  I wanted to pair different textures – soft, crunchy and smooth – so I initially thought a crumble.  But as I didn't want to cook the fruit and take away from its fresh feel, I decided on something different: smooshed cherries and cream with a toasted coconut and oat topping.
This dessert has layers of different tastes and textures. I whipped cream, added fresh unsweetened yoghurt and sweetened it with honey.  I then toasted coconut and oats and crumbled some biscuits.  I found the cherry-smooshing quite a stress-relieving activity. I layered these components and drizzled with more honey. Too easy and so good.


smooshed cherries and cream
serves 2


1/4 cup oats (I used wholegrain)
1/4 cup coconut
12 large cherries, pitted and smooshed
1/4 cup thick cream, for whipping
1 tbsp honey (and more for drizzling)
2 tbsp plain yoghurt, stirred
2 biscuits, crumbled


Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.
Place oats on baking sheet and bake for 5-8 mins or until just golden brown. Take out and place coconut on tray – flash in oven for 1-2 minutes to toast – watch it doesn’t burn. Take out and mix the two.
Take out cherry pits by placing on board and pressing down with a bowl until cherry opens and pit is visible – pull out by hand (or if you have a fancy pitter use that). Place pitted cherries in bowl and smoosh by hand until juices release. Whip cream and honey, once soft peaks form fold in stirred yoghurt – adjust sweetness. Using two glasses, begin to layer dessert – add biscuit pieces, then cherries, then cream – alternate as many times as you like and top with a handful of the coconut and oat mixture. To finish drizzle with more honey. Enjoy!

18 comments:

  1. These are just the prettiest photos ever. I almost never make anything with cherries because I usually eat them all up raw. :)
    Thanks for sharing these lovely photos and recipes.

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  2. This dish has everything that I like! I think that any type of dairy product (with the exception of some cheeses) really compliments fruit. Awesome pics, thanks for sharing.

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  3. I love easy desserts like this, the coconut sounds divine and your glasses are really lovely!

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  4. I love this! The textures are what do it for me, I love the combos and variances. Absolutely perfect!

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  5. I love cherries too - and the white ones are my favourite. Very nice serving dishes/glasses.

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  6. There are so many layers of good things in this dessert! And I love the cherry/coconut combination :) Delicious!

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  7. This is such a beautiful dessert, I'm loving the flavors you used here. I also have lots of memories of sitting in the backyard with a big bowl of cherries, love em!

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  8. the pics in ur blog are absolutely gorgeous! I just cant stop gawking at them! this dessert looks mind-blowing and yummy! superb!

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  9. I love this! Your recipe and pictures are fantastic!

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  10. Beautiful cherry treat. This looks so tasty.

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  11. This looks so pretty! I love the way the bright red of the cherries blends into the soft white cream... and that coconut-oat topping sounds like the perfect contrast. I must try this soon, especially since cherry season will probably be over before we know it!

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  12. What a lovely and easily prepared dessert...gorgeous!

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  13. Thanks for the lovely feedback everyone!

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  14. Wow! I'm drooling! This looks fantastic and your photography is stunning! I'm your newest follower :)

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  15. Fantastic photography. Really loved the way you captured the cherries in the first picture.

    My first time here.. and I am really enjoying it

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  16. This looks absolutely delicious and your photography is gorgeous! The picture of the cherries is breathtaking. Beautiful website!

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