10 Michigan Cherry Desserts You’ll Dream About All Year
Michigan cherries have a magical way of turning simple desserts into unforgettable summer indulgences. Every July, orchards across the state come alive with vibrant, ruby-red gems that end up in some of the most mouthwatering sweets you can imagine.
Having grown up picking cherries in Traverse City, the heart of cherry country, I’ve tasted more cherry treats than I can count.
From flaky pies bursting with tart fruit to rich, cherry-studded ice creams, these ten standout desserts have earned a permanent place in my summertime cravings. They’re sweet, nostalgic, and a delicious tribute to Michigan’s most iconic fruit.
1. Classic Michigan Sour Cherry Pie
Nothing beats the pucker-worthy delight of a proper Michigan sour cherry pie. My grandmother’s recipe called for Montmorency cherries, tart little gems that balance perfectly with sugar and a hint of almond extract.
The flaky, butter-rich crust develops golden edges that crackle slightly when your fork breaks through. Some bakers top their masterpieces with lattice patterns while others prefer a crumbly streusel topping.
Family reunions in my household weren’t complete without this crimson beauty taking center stage on the dessert table. The slightly warm slice paired with vanilla ice cream creates a temperature contrast that’s simply magical.
2. Cherry Crisp with Cinnamon Oat Topping
Cherry crisp reminds me of campfire gatherings at our lake house. The bubbling cherry filling creates little ruby pools that peek through the crunchy, cinnamon-spiced oat topping.
Unlike pie, cherry crisp forgives imperfection, lumpy topping just adds character! The contrast between the warm, juicy cherries and the buttery, crunchy topping creates texture heaven in every bite.
I always make extra topping because everyone fights over those crispy edge pieces. A scoop of vanilla ice cream slowly melting into the warm crisp creates rivers of creamy sweetness that cut through the tart cherry base perfectly.
3. Double Cherry Pie with Sweet and Sour Varieties
My aunt Marge revolutionized our family gatherings when she introduced her double cherry pie. “Why choose between sweet and sour cherries when you can have both?” she’d say with a wink.
The combination creates a complex flavor profile that dances between tart and sweet in every forkful. Sweet Bing cherries provide deep, wine-like notes while the Montmorency varieties add that classic Michigan tang.
The filling takes on a gorgeous gradient appearance, deeper burgundy from the sweet cherries swirled with bright ruby from the sour ones. This pie converted even my cherry-skeptic cousin who now requests it for his birthday instead of cake!
4. Cherry-Berry Symphony Pie
Summer symphonies of flavor erupt when Michigan cherries join forces with local berries. The tartness of cherries creates the perfect baseline while raspberries add high notes of brightness.
My first taste of this combination came from a roadside farm stand outside Charlevoix. The elderly farmer’s wife insisted I try her specialty, a pie that changed my dessert standards forever.
The juice from this pie runs slightly pink from the raspberry influence, creating a gorgeous marble effect with the deeper cherry tones. Fresh whipped cream (never from a can!) provides the perfect creamy counterpoint to the fruit’s natural acidity and transforms this humble pie into an elegant dessert.
5. Elegant Cherry Custard Tart
French technique meets Michigan fruit in this sophisticated yet approachable dessert. The shortbread-like crust provides a buttery canvas for silky vanilla custard topped with perfect circles of glazed cherries.
I learned to make these tarts during a cooking workshop in Petoskey. The chef taught us to arrange the cherries in concentric circles, creating a dessert almost too pretty to eat, almost!
Each bite offers three distinct textures: the gentle snap of the crust, the smooth embrace of custard, and the slight resistance of the fruit. This dessert shines at summer dinner parties when you want to impress without spending hours in a hot kitchen.
6. Cherry Amaretto No‑Churn Ice Cream
Who needs an ice cream maker when this luscious treat comes together with just a mixer? Sweet cream provides the perfect blank canvas for Michigan cherries and almond flavoring.
The cherries become little frozen jewels scattered throughout the velvety base. My neighbors go wild whenever I bring this to summer potlucks, it disappears faster than I can explain how easy it was to make!
The secret lies in folding the ingredients gently to maintain maximum fluffiness. A drizzle of honey before serving brings out the natural sweetness of the cherries. This dessert tastes like childhood summer memories but with a sophisticated twist adults appreciate.
7. Decadent Cherry-Chocolate Ice Cream Pie
Chocolate and cherries create a romance in this frozen masterpiece that’s perfect for scorching summer days. The chocolate cookie crust provides a dramatic backdrop for layers of cherry-swirled ice cream.
I discovered this dessert at a lakeside restaurant in Glen Arbor. The contrast between the rich chocolate and bright cherry flavors left such an impression that I immediately asked for the recipe.
The secret lies in using reduced cherry compote that concentrates the flavor without adding too much moisture to the ice cream. Chocolate shavings scattered across the top add visual drama and texture contrast. This show-stopper requires advance planning but rewards with “wow” reactions from every guest.
8. Rustic Cherry Clafoutis
Cherry clafoutis brings French countryside charm to Michigan fruit. My first attempt at this custardy delight happened after watching a cooking show, I was amazed something so impressive could be so simple!
The batter puffs dramatically in the oven, then settles around the cherries as it cools. Traditional recipes leave the pits in for flavor, but I remove them to avoid dental emergencies among my unsuspecting friends.
Dusted with powdered sugar, this dessert transforms from humble to elegant in seconds. The texture falls somewhere between cake and custard, light yet satisfying. Serve it slightly warm for breakfast (I won’t tell) or with a dollop of crème fraîche for dessert.
9. Showstopping Cherries Jubilee
Dramatic flair meets classic flavors in this tableside spectacular! Michigan cherries simmer in their own juices before being ignited in a theatrical flame that caramelizes the natural sugars.
My first cherries jubilee experience came during a special anniversary dinner at Mackinac Island’s Grand Hotel. The maître d’ prepared it with such flourish that nearby tables applauded when the flames leaped dramatically upward.
The slightly charred flavor adds complexity to the cherries’ natural sweetness. Spooned over premium vanilla ice cream, the warm sauce creates delicious temperature contrasts. This dessert proves that sometimes the simplest ingredients, cherries, sugar, and fire, create the most memorable experiences.
10. Gourmet Goat-Cheese Cherry Ice Cream
Unexpected flavor combinations create culinary magic in this sophisticated scoop. The tangy goat cheese provides the perfect counterpoint to sweet-tart roasted Michigan cherries.
I discovered this game-changing dessert at a farm-to-table restaurant in Suttons Bay. The chef explained how roasting the cherries concentrates their flavor while the goat cheese adds a subtle savory note that prevents the dessert from becoming too sweet.
Each spoonful delivers creamy decadence punctuated by bursts of intense cherry flavor. The beautiful pale pink base makes this ice cream as visually appealing as it is delicious. Serve small scoops as a palate cleanser between courses or larger portions for a memorable dessert.