Cherries Jubilee with Vanilla Ice Cream is a simple, sophisticated dessert sure to dazzle any enjoying it. Liqueur-soaked cherries are flambeed with brandy, making a sweet boozy sauce to top ice cream.
With Valentine’s Day coming this week (and President’s Day soon after), a sweet dessert one can light on fire seemed just the ticket! Cherries Jubilee with Vanilla Ice Cream is a classic dessert that is simple to make and flames leaping from a skillet (when happening on purpose) is always an attention-getter that makes a dinner fantastically special.
I feel like I’ve been on a bit of a flashback recipe kick in the past week. The Zombie cocktail and Devils on Horseback appetizer are tried and true recipes from a different era that have made the cut of time. Cherries Jubilee with Vanilla Ice Cream is same.
The dessert was originally created for the Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee (the 60th anniversary of her becoming queen) in 1897. The dessert is made by combining cherries and liqueur then flambéing them while cooking is a sweet syrup. Typically, the cooked cherries are served over vanilla ice cream as I have done today though they may be used on other things such as cakes or crepes too.
Cherries Jubilee falls into a family of flambéed desserts that make for great presentation and are actually very easy to make. Two other desserts in this esteemed collection I’ve shared with you in the past, Classic Bananas Foster (bananas in a buttery sugar sauce with rum) and Mangoes Diablo (mangoes flambéed with tequila).
The key when flambéeing is to have an uncluttered space and a long utensil to light the dessert (like a utility lighter, which I use for so many things). The flames can reach fairly high and are blue or somewhat invisible making it key to stay out of the way of the skillet until the flame dies down. Flambéeing a recipe does remove some of the alcohol but not all of it so this is a dessert for adults!
With international food logistics delivering foods from all over the world regardless of the season where one lives, fresh sweet cherries are available now. I used a variety from New Zealand that were delicious. If fresh cherries are not available to you, frozen thawed cherries will work as well. Reserve any juices from thawing and include them when adding the Kirsch-soaked cherries to the skillet.
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robin rue says
This sounds like heaven in a bowl. I have never had anything like this, but it sounds absolutely wonderful.
Melissa says
How romantic those cherries flambéed make me tipsy just looking at them. I want to try this recipe on a cold night and just cuddle thanks for the idea.
robin rue says
Good idea! With all the yucky winter weather we’ve been having here lately, a night in cuddling with this sounds awesome.
Connie says
Beautiful, attention=getting, and yummy. What more could you want from a dessert? I’ll definitely be making this fir Valentine’s Day.
Jeanette says
Oh my gosh this is perfect for Valentine’s Day! I am totally making this for my husband.
Kristi says
This sounds like it would be great after a nice dinner out. Come home and ask my hubby to make it for me, or better yet he could surprise me.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
Well, now I need delicious sweet nom noms! I have to give this recipe a try. It looks so delicious!
Colleen Lanin says
Cherries Jubilee is one of my absolute most favorite desserts. I can’t wait to give this recipe a try. Thanks!
Theresa says
I have never flambéed a thing in my life, but this looks like the perfect recipe to start with! Let’s hope I don’t set my hair on fire in the process 😉
Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says
Oh man, this looks so good. I can’t remember the last time I had cherries jubilee. Seems like I need it right now!
Pam Wattenbarger says
I have never had cherries jubilee but I have seen recipes before. I need to try this recipe and finally try them out.
TColeman says
Goodness this looks so delicious! I need to make one of these as a dessert soon.
Jeni Hawkins says
My kids would love this! I seriously need to make this for them as an afternoon snack.
Sarah Bailey says
I have never heard of Cherry Jubilee before. This looks so good!
Liz Mays says
Now this sounds like a real date night dessert! I could go for one anytime though. The cherries must be so flavorful!
Veronica says
Wow! Mouth watering dessert. I would love to try this
Kathy says
That looks so good. I need to make some of this soon. I love the taste of cherry!
Dawn McAlexander says
That looks so good. I don’t know that I have ever tried cherries jubilee, but it looks so tasty. Add in the vanilla ice cream and it is totally awesome.
Lisa Bristol says
This looks so delicious and fun to make. I will have to try this recipe for dessert on Valentines day.
Toni Dash says
I hope you will Lisa! Whomever you make it for will be dazzled!
gingermommyrants says
Wow this is a dessert to impress for sure. I can not wait to get the ingredients I need to make some this weekend,
Kristina says
What a great VAlentines recipe! Your photography on this is incredible!
Toni Dash says
Thank you Kristina! So glad you like the recipe and the photos.
Tara says
I love how you only need a few ingredients to make Cherries Jubilee. I haven’t made it in a while but it is so delicious.
Toni Dash says
Me too! I love that an elegant, exciting dessert does not require loads of ingredients or time!
Seattle Travel Blogger says
Wow, thanks for the great dessert!
This looks like such an unique one compared to many out there and will make for a nice change.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I am so excited to try this recipe. I have everything I need to try it for dessert tonight. I am sure it will be a hit.
Crystal says
It looks like so much fun to make! I have never tried to flambé anything, but I am ready to give it a shot.
Our Family World says
Th pictures are lovely. They look great and makes me hungry. I do not eat cherries but I want it right now.
Toni Dash says
Oh no! Well they say we eat with our eyes first so maybe you can enjoy this dessert that way!
Kelly Hutchinson says
What a fun recipe. It would be perfect to make for my husband for Valentine’s Day! Yum!
Reesa Lewandowski says
This is just beautiful! Right up my alley too. I love cherries and do not eat enough things with them!
Cassie Tucker says
Yum! This sounds like such a great dessert! I wish I had the stuff to make it right now.
Kiwi says
This looks amazing. I love the presentation of all of this I best this taste rich!
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
This looks like all kinds of deliciousness to me! Sounds good anytime! #NomNomNom