16 kirsch recipes

This very rich cake from the West Indies is ideal for those who prefer not to ice their Christmas cakes.

Cherry clafoutis with homemade cherry ice cream and almond praline. A three-component Swiss-French dessert with kirsch-spiked custard flan, fresh cherry fruit, and caramelized crunch.

A classic French pear and frangipane tart: vanilla-poached pears arranged over almond pastry cream spiked with kirsch and crushed macaroons, finished with apricot glaze and pistachios.

French pear tart with almond frangipane, kirsch-soaked apricot glaze, and vanilla-poached pears. Crushed macaroons fold into the pastry cream for chewy depth, finished with green pistachios.

Fresh berry tarts: a pair of giant 10x15 inch sheet tarts with vanilla cream over sweet pie crust, one tart piled with glazed cherries, the other with glossy blueberries.

Montmorency cake, a French flourless-style chocolate cake stuffed with kirsch-soaked sour cherries and glazed in dark chocolate. A Black Forest-inspired showpiece for special occasions.

Handmade chocolate-covered cherries soaked overnight in kirsch brandy, then wrapped in a rich truffle mixture of milk and unsweetened chocolate. Rolled in a cocoa-powdered sugar coating for an elegant homemade confection.

Classic Alsatian apple charlotte with milk-soaked bread, cinnamon-spiced apples, chopped almonds, and a splash of kirsch. Baked in a bundt pan until golden, this rustic French dessert is pure comfort.

A show-stopping rhubarb tart in an almond pastry shell, served with fresh strawberry-kirsch sauce and homemade cinnamon ice cream. Three components, one unforgettable spring dessert.

Cherry cordial chocolate balls made with kirsch-soaked candied cherries wrapped in a buttery milk and dark chocolate shell, rolled in cocoa and powdered sugar. A luxurious homemade candy.

Handmade chocolate truffles with brandy-soaked cherry centers, rolled in cocoa and powdered sugar. Dense, rich, and intensely chocolatey. Makes 50 pieces for gifting or holiday candy trays.

Swiss Aargau carrot cake made with ground almonds, grated carrots, kirsch, and cornstarch instead of flour. Finished with apricot glaze, fondant icing, and marzipan carrots.

Pickled pineapple meringue freezes a meringue with pink-peppercorn-pickled pineapple, almonds, and cream, then plates with raspberry sauce and dramatic chocolate spires. Restaurant-style frozen dessert.

Beat the summer heat with this delicious fruit dish that is bound to cool you off.

Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cherry recipe

Mom's Black Forest cake stacks devils food cake layers soaked in cherry liqueur syrup, layered with kirsch whipped cream, maraschino cherries, and mini chocolate chips. A semi-homemade German classic.