Food & Party Planning Ideas

National Cherry Month

As we commemorate George Washington's birthday in the month of February, cherry trees come to mind. Appropriately, February is National Cherry Month.

"Although mid-July marks the peak of the cherry harvest, canned, frozen and dried versions of this colorful fruit are quite tasty in main dishes, salads, beverages and desserts," says Nancy Siler, Manager of Consumer Affairs at Wilton Enterprises. "The deep, beautiful color of cherries is fitting with the passionate red associated with Valentine's Day. In addition, it's another chance to use 4th of July red, white and blue icing colors as well as flag cake pans for President's Day…and making a dessert using cherries, of course."

Tart cherries, also called pie or sour cherries, are actually seldom sold fresh. This tangy fruit is the variety most often used in desserts. Maraschino cherries are a favorite garnish to cocktails and atop whipped cream on ice cream dishes.

The contrasting colors of pastry dough and cherry filling are sure to make Cherry Star Tarts the "star" of your dinner table. Armed with the Mini Muffin Pan, cherry pie filling and basic baking ingredients, you can create this deceptively simple dessert. A cream cheese and cherry pie filling are a nice accent to the chocolate pastry shell of our Mini Chocolate Cherry Tarts.

Try our Premium Candy Melts® in light or dark cocoa and maraschino cherries to make your own chocolate-covered cherries. Take those chocolate-covered cherries to the next level with Dipped Cherries in Chocolate Shells. Your friends and family will swoon over the brandy-soaked cherries, floating on a cloud of white candy in a chocolate shell; they are a treat to both the eyes and taste buds! Don't forget Wilton's Singles!® molds are perfect for individual cherry-topped cheesecakes in paying homage to this divine fruit…and our first President.

If you love the flavor but not the stains of cherries, then the Candy Flavors Set is perfect for you. Add the cherry flavor to crème filling candy mix or use it with our Candy Melts® or Premium Candy Melts®.

Remember, cherries aren't solely for desserts anymore. Dried cherries are fast-becoming a popular ingredient in salad, entrees and side dishes for their crisp and bright flavor. Very Cherry Couscous Salad is a colorful side dish compared to potatoes. Use a decorative Wilton pan as a mold for special occasions or for a striking presentation. Simply pack the couscous salad into the pan and invert onto your serving dish. Dried cherries will bring a tangy lift to poultry stuffing.

National Cherry Month is the perfect opportunity to enjoy this fruit canned or dried in the winter. Our recipes will leave your family and friends cherry pleased!