We might as well just come out and say it. We are on the downhill slide of cherry season. But you don’t have to completely sever your sweet summer fling and say goodbye now. Let yourself down easy by freezing some cherries to enjoy later when you need a mid-winter fruit fix. So don’t be afraid to buy an extra pound (or ten) for later!
Cherries can be frozen whole or pitted. If you plan to use them for cooking, baking, or smoothies, we recommend making a small time investment and pit them before freezing. Whole frozen cherries make excellent ice cubes and are delicious to eat straight out of the freezer or even dipped in chocolate!
First, regardless of the method you choose, rinse your cherries:
Arrange whole or pitted cherries on a sheet pan with enough space so that they do not stick to each other:
Place in freezer for at least three hours.
When cherries are completely frozen, you can store them in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container.
Finally, enjoy whenever you need a taste of summer!