There are so many things that I make for myself on a near-daily basis that I just don’t think about sharing the recipe for.
Silly things.
Like this caramelized onion + goat cheese omelet, this cabbage hash + fried eggs, or this pretty little breakfast number.
Or an almost-instant, healthy treat (that I promise tastes more indulgent than healthy), like this cherry-chocolate sorbet that can be easily whipped up when a sweet craving strikes.
When Brandy (of Nutmeg Nanny) and Katie (of Katie’s Cucina) asked me to participate in their Frozen Treat Week and share three different frozen treats, I immediately knew I wanted in. This sorbet, which tastes intensely of cherries, faintly of vanilla, and has little bursts of chocolate, is one of my favorites.
I also add a tiny touch of either almond extract or ground mahlab (which you can read more about here, if you’re interested), but the flavor of either of those ingredients is just to enhance and deepen the flavor of the cherries. Although you won’t be able to pull out the flavor of almond or mahlab, surprisingly, you will know if this ingredient is missing!
And since it’s cherry season, I like to use fresh cherries that I’ve washed, pitted, and flash-frozen; however, pre-frozen sweet cherries from a brand you trust will work just as well when cherries aren’t in season.
I’ll be back on Wednesday and Friday this week with more frozen treats to share in honor of Frozen Treat Week, so be sure to check back. And a big thank-you to Brandy and Katie for organizing this event, and another thank-you to Zoku and OXO, the sponsors of today’s fabulous giveaway! (Take a look at the giveaway widget below for more giveaway details.)
Here are the other participating bloggers’ frozen treat posts today:
- 1¼ cups (170 g) pitted dark sweet cherries, frozen
- ½ packet stevia (about ¼ teaspoon powdered stevia; omit if your cherries are super sweet)
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon pure almond extract or 1/16 teaspoon ground mahlab
- 1/16 teaspoon sea salt
- 2-3 tablespoons ice-cold water
- 1 tablespoon chopped good-quality dark chocolate (see Note)
- Add the cherries, stevia, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt to a food processor and pulse until it looks crumbly.
- With the motor running, slowly add enough cold water (about 2 to 3 tablespoons) so it comes together into a smooth mixture.
- Add the chocolate chips and pulse one or two times.
- Serve immediately if you like it on the softer side, or transfer to the freezer to solidify a little before serving.
Caroline @ chocolate & carrots says
What a gorgeous frozen treat! I love that you don't have to have an ice cream machine to make it, too!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Can I just say how much I love the color of this sorbet. It looks like it's packed full of flavor!
Dina says
this sounds delish and I have mahlab I've been wanting to use!
Juliana says
Chocolate and cherry sounds and looks awesome, and even better with almond extract...perfect as a treat.
Thanks for the recipe Faith and hope you are having a fabulous weel :D
kellie@foodtoglow says
Wow! Just the thing to pop in my new Vitamix :D Looks super, like a healthy summery black forest gateaux . I look forward to the other upcoming treats x
Caroline says
Ooooh…I love that I can whip this up so quickly!!! Such a great idea and I LOVE the chocolate and cherry combination! I've got some frozen cherries right now…and chocolate chips! Guess what I'm having tonight? :D
Samantha says
I love the deep red color of this! Beautiful :)
Sherri @The Well Floured Kitchen says
Just got our first cherries here! This looks delicious.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
What a fabulously simple iced treat! I'll save this for when the weather warms up :D
Faith says
So silly, Lorraine! ;)
Seriously, it is definitely a recipe worth saving though.
Ash- foodfashionpartyf says
Wonderful combination, and perfect for healthy summer treat.
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says
This sounds amazing Faith! We are right in the middle of local cherry season. I am making this this week!
zerrin says
This is a divine sweet treat! Love the combination of cherries and chocolate and never thought that mahlab could be used in sorbet!
katie says
yum! This sorbet sounds so stinking good! Must make soon.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love cherries with chocolate, this sorbet is gorgeous!
Joanne says
Cherries are pretty much my favorite fruit and the thought of an intensely flavorful icy cherry sweet treat is almost too much for me to take! Sounds amazing!
Rebecca {Foodie with Family} says
Boy does this ever look and sound fabulous. Cherry season is so fantastic, isn't it? Hooray for NY cherries!
Jeanette says
Love how easy and delicious this sounds Faith!
Kelsey @aslolife says
Yum, this looks so easy but delicious!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Love how quick this is! What a fabulous treat!
Rosa says
Heavenly! That is a wonderful combination.
Cheers,
Rosa
Marnely Rodriguez-Murray says
Love the simplicity and combination of flavors of this sorbet!