Cherries are naturally sweet, beautifully bright, and easy to turn into a smooth homemade baby food puree. If you are just beginning to make baby food at home, cherry puree is a simple recipe to keep in your rotation because it requires only one ingredient and comes together in just a few minutes.
This cherry puree for babies has a fresh, fruity flavor that many little ones enjoy. It is also very versatile, so you can serve it on its own or mix it with other baby food purees. Cherry puree pairs especially well with mild fruits like pear puree and banana puree, and it can also be combined with vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, peas, or spinach for a balanced spoonful.
While this recipe is designed as a baby food puree, it is useful for the whole family. You can stir it into yogurt, swirl it into oatmeal, blend it into smoothies, spoon it over ice cream, or use it as a fruity layer in simple desserts. Frozen cherry puree cubes are especially handy because you can thaw only what you need.
Ingredients
You only need one ingredient to make this easy cherry puree: cherries. Frozen cherries are the quickest option because they are already pitted and ready to blend. Fresh cherries also work well, but they must be washed, stemmed, and pitted before blending.
Frozen Cherries vs. Fresh Cherries
When making homemade baby food, both fresh and frozen fruit can be great options. For cherry puree, frozen cherries are usually the easiest choice. They save time because the pits and stems have already been removed, and they are available year-round. Let the cherries soften slightly on the counter before blending so your blender can process them more easily.
If you prefer to use fresh cherries, remove every stem and pit before making the puree. A cherry pitter can make this step faster and less messy. Depending on the texture of the cherries and the strength of your blender, you may want to blend a little longer or pass the puree through a fine mesh sieve or food mill to make sure the skins are fully broken down.
Cherries are a seasonal fruit
Fresh cherries are typically in season from mid-May through the end of July, depending on where you live. They can be delicious during peak season, but they may also be expensive and time-consuming to prepare. Frozen cherries make this baby food puree practical, affordable, and simple to make any time of year.
Simple step by step instructions
One of the best things about this cherry puree, besides its sweet flavor, is how easy it is to prepare. Start with a bag of frozen pitted cherries. Let the bag sit on the counter for 10 to 30 minutes. The longer the cherries soften, the easier they will be to blend into a smooth puree.
Add the slightly thawed cherries to a high-speed blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth and no large pieces of skin remain. If needed, stop the blender, scrape down the sides, and blend again until you reach the texture you want for your baby.
How to store and freeze
If you plan to use the cherry puree right away, transfer it to a clean airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Small mason jars are helpful for storing baby-sized portions that can be used at one meal.
For longer storage, pour the puree into a silicone ice cube tray and freeze until solid. Once frozen, remove the cubes from the tray and place them in a zip-top freezer bag or another freezer-safe container. Frozen cherry puree can be stored for up to 3 months. Thaw a cube at room temperature or in the refrigerator before serving.
Serving Suggestions for Babies
Cherry puree can be served alone or mixed with other simple baby foods. Because it is naturally sweet and slightly thinner after thawing, it works well with thicker purees, cereals, and dairy foods.
- Grains: Oatmeal, cream of wheat, or rice cereal
- Fruits: Pear puree, banana puree, or peach puree
- Vegetables: Broccoli puree, spinach puree, cauliflower puree, or pea puree
- Dairy: Greek yogurt or cottage cheese
- Yummy Combinations for older babies:
- Cherry, pea, and cauliflower
- Edamame, cherry, and pear
- Cherry, banana, and yogurt
Serving suggestions for big kids and adults
This homemade cherry puree is not just for babies. Older kids and adults can enjoy it in many easy ways. Stir a spoonful into overnight oats, layer it with yogurt and fruit for a quick parfait, or blend a frozen cube into a smoothie for extra cherry flavor.
- Add a frozen cube of cherry puree to oatmeal or overnight oats.
- Layer it with yogurt, fresh fruit, and crushed vanilla wafers for a simple parfait.
- Mix it into a cherry dessert filling for extra fruit flavor.
- Use it as a quick cherry sauce over ice cream, cheesecake, or baked goods.
How to get cherry juice out of clothes
Cherries have a deep, vibrant color that can stain clothes, bibs, towels, and highchair straps. Treat stains as soon as possible for the best chance of removing them. Rinse the stained area with cool water, apply your preferred stain remover, and wash according to the clothing label. Avoid drying the item until the stain is gone, since heat can set the color into the fabric.
Did you try this recipe and love it? Let me know by leaving a comment or rating.
📖 Recipe
Cherry Puree
Marni Katz
Equipment
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Vitamix or other high-speed blender
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Stain treater for clothes, bibs, and towels
Ingredients
- 16 oz frozen cherries (or 16 oz pitted fresh cherries)
Instructions
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If using frozen cherries, remove the bag from the freezer 10 to 30 minutes before blending.
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Place the slightly thawed cherries in a high-speed blender.
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Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides if needed.
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Serve immediately, refrigerate for up to 5 days, or freeze in cubes for up to 3 months.
Notes
This puree can be thinner than some other baby food purees after thawing. For babies, try serving it with oatmeal, yogurt, or a thicker fruit or vegetable puree.