Hi folks.
When the Sunday Supper crew announced we were doing Holiday Gifts from the Kitchen as our theme this week I may have jumped for joy. I mean just a little. I love giving home-made gifts so I knew this was going to be fun. The possibilities are endless when it comes to gifts you can give people from the kitchen. Cookies, bars, bark, snack mix, chocolates, bread, candy, alcohol and the list goes on and on. You can also make gifts in jars that the recipient just adds some wet ingredients to in order to bake, cookie mixes and breads are perfect for this. Last year I gave away vanilla extract, vanilla salt, vanilla sugar, vanilla brown sugar and vanilla oats. I also did up some cookies in a jar for some people. Then I whipped up some Turtle Bark, Black Forest Bark, Coconut Bark, Hot Fudge Sauce and Slow Cooker Snack Mix for some family members. Yup, being in Lunie’s world during the holidays is a good thing. And sorta fattening.
I made this extract eons ago. The downside to that is there is no fresh cherries to use as props in the photo. I intended to photograph this before I went out west. But I was too busy. Then I intended to photograph this when I returned home from the vacation of doom. But I was too sick. So I finally photographed this but the timing meant no cherries to add in the shot. Such a big old cherry bummer.
The upside to making cherry extract is it is so much cheaper than buying it. A tiny bottle of it costs a fortune. I love using cherry extract whenever possible in my baking. So I go through quite a bit of it. Making my own made good economic sense. Plus it was fun. I mean who doesn’t love playing with vodka. It’s how all good weekends start right.
- 1 (375 ml) bottle vodka
- 2 cups fresh cherries
- Pit and cut your cherries in half.
- Pour vodka into a mason jar.
- Toss cherries in the vodka.
- Give it a shake.
- Store in a cool, dark place for about 2 weeks.
- Give it a little shake now and then.
- Ready in 2 weeks time.
- Give as gifts with a big old cherry smile!
Yes I realize it’s not cherry season. You may need to wait awhile to try this one. If you’re wondering if you can use dried cherries, well, I’m on that. I’ve got a batch brewing as I write this. So stay tuned for results.
Hope you enjoy this. Thanks to our hostesss this week, Susan from The Wimpy Vegetarian. She really came up with the perfect theme. As always a huge thank you to our fearless leader, Isabel of Family Foodie. Make sure you stop by all the other Sunday Supper crew to see what amazing gifts they made for you.
Breads/Breakfast:
- Pumpkin Biscoff Bread – Dinners, Dishes, and Dessert
- All-in-One Beer Bread Kit – girlichef
- Banana Coconut Coffee Cake with Macadamia Nut Streusel – The Lovely Pantry
- Pancake Mix With Apple Cider Syrup and Candied Walnuts – Tora’s Real Food
- Cranberry Hootycreeks – Baker Street
Condiments/Ingredients:
- Apple Butter – Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks
- Herb Vinegars – Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Harissa – The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Homemade Vanilla Extract – Flour on my Face
- Homemade Cherry Extract – Cravings of a Lunatic
- Nutella Powder – I Run For Wine
- Apricot Pineapple Rum Sauce – Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Spiced Cranberry Apricot Almond Chutney – Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Pumpkin Butter – Family Foodie
Soup/Snacks:
- A Soup For You – Momma’s Meals
- Maple Nut Granola - Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Sweet and Spicy Curried Nuts – Soni’s Food for Thought
- Sweet and Spicy Pecans – Supper For a Steal
- Maple Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars – Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Orange Spiced Chickpeas – Home Cooking Memories
- Turtle Pretzels – The Messy Baker
Sweets:
- Rocky Road Candy – Magnolia Days
- Dairyfree Vegan Caramels – Galactosemia in PDX
- Peanut Butter Cookies in a Jar – Mama’s Blissful Bites
- M&M Cookies in a Jar – Damn Delicious
- Monster Cookie Mix in a Jar – What Smells So Good?
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Biscotti – Meal Planning Magic
- Snickerdoodle Snack Mix – Pippi’s in the Kitchen Again
- Butter and Jam Thumbprint Cookies – Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
- Peppermint Stick Cookie Truffles - The Weekend Gourmet
- Nutella Truffles – Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Peanut Cajetas (Peanut Fudge) – Basic and Delicious
- Cookie Cutter Fudge – Chocolate Moosey
- Pumpkin Roll – Shockingly Delicious
- Homemade Chocolates – My Trials in the Kitchen
- Hot Chocolate on a Stick – Juanita’s Cocina
- Chocolate Toffee “Crack” – Ruffles and Truffles
- Holiday Tree Cake – Noshing with the Nolands
Drinks:
- Applepie Moonshine - My Catholic Kitchen
- Holiday Spiced Mocha - Daily Dish Recipes
- Homemade Peppermint Mocha Mix - In the Kitchen with KP
- Homemade Kahlua - That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Please join on us on Twitter throughout the day during #SundaySupper on November 11. In the evening we will meet at 7pm EST for our weekly #SundaySupper live chat.
All you have to do is follow the #SundaySupper hashtag or you can follow us through TweetChat.
We’d also love to feature your own posts for Gifts From the Kitchen on our #SundaySupper Pinterest board to share them with all of our followers, too.
Toodles and smoochies! xx
You give out such amazing homemade gifts! This’ll be my first year doing so and I’m so excited about it! Your cherry extract is just pure genius! And even without the cherries as props, the pictures look amazing!
Thank you. It’s fun to give homemade stuff. I really love giving bark, most people love it. You will love doing it. There’s so much room to get creative.
That’s it? That’s how easy it is? I think I love you more every single day. I’ve made my own vanilla extract for years but never opened my brain to give it some exercise. This is going to be in my pantry as soon as the cherries arrive which will be soon down here. Cherries are a Christmas treat.
It’s that easy. How wild is that right. Lol, love right back at you Maureen. I always shake my extracts every few days. Just a habit. I wish cherries were in season for Christmas here, that would make me one happy lady.
I love the fabric you have used in the photos. It takes the place of the missing cherries. You have managed to make two bottles of liquid look amazing.
Thanks Suzanne. I wish I had taken it when cherries were in season but what can you do.
This looks great! Did you use sweet or sour cherries?
Hey Elizabeh, I used sweet. If you tried it with sour you could just add some sugar and see how it goes. I don’t think extracts have to be sweet since you use them in baking where you add sugar anyway.
This is phenomenal and so easy! I love this idea and I bet it keeps for ever! I will try it also with a glass of canned cherries in syrup and let you know how it goes. Happy Sunday!
Thanks Paula. Let me know how that works. I love experimenting. It’s so much fun.
I love cherries so much it’s crazy! I’m wondering if you could use frozen sweet cherries-I’m betting you can and they are on sale this week at my grocery store. This looks crazy good and I can think of a million things I want to put it in!
Me too! I would try it with frozen. I’d be mildly concerned about the moisture but hopefully it would work. Can’t hurt to try.
Now why can’t it be cherry season? Now I’m wishing I would have frozen some of the cherries from earlier this year. Oh well, there is always next season. I’m already thinking about all the things to use this extract with. Cocktails, treats, and so much more.
I know right. Me too. It’s a great extract to have on hand.
Oh, I might have to move in during the holiday season. Your house sounds like a great place to be just then! The cherry extract sounds like a wonderful way to capture that fleeting moment of summer.
Lol Hester. You’d be totally welcome. I love the holiday season. It’s so much fun.
I never thought to make fruit extracts! Thanks for the idea, Kim!
You’re welcome. I make all kinds of them. So much fun.
What a great idea for a gift! One quick question- I’m guessing sweet cherries are preferred?
Thank you. I prefer sweet. For pretty much everything.
Oh yes! Great, easy recipe and great pictures…Have a lovely Week ahead dear Kim!!!!
Thanks so much Sandra. Hope you have a great week too.
Ooooh! Fabulous homemade gift! I’m thinking this year is going to have to be all homemade so this is definitely bookmarked
Thank you. I love homemade stuff, so much fun to give and receive.
What a fantastic idea for a gift! I love the idea of making my own cherry extract!!
So delicious!
Thanks Nicole. It’s so easy and inexpensive compared to buying it.
I have some of this in my fridge right now! Mmmmmm….boozy cherries…
It’s so awesome. Love doing this.
What a great homemade gift idea! I wouldn’t mind receiving a bottle…
Thanks. It’s such a cool thing to make.
I wish it was cherry season! I can’t wait to try this next summer.
Me too!
Hi Kim!
I can feel your excitement!
This sounds good, and I love anything that is inexpensive.
I’ll be making this as soon as I can find cherries.
Have a Joyful Day :~D
Charlie
Thanks Charlie. Hope you love it. I can’t wait to make more.
I cant wait to make this. my neigbor has a cherry tree and when the birds dont get them, we have a lot.
How lucky. I would love fresh cherries in my yard, or the neighbour’s.
This makes me (a cherry-lovin’-freak) extremely happy. Cherries in the picture or not ;P
Me too. I love cherries, like way too much. Thanks.
This cherry extract looks great! How I wish I could do the same. Is difficult to get cherries here in Malaysia. I shall try to look for the dried version. Thanks for sharing, Kim!
Thanks Faye. I would use dried and see if you like it.
I have never heard of cherry extract and enjoyed your post very much. How do I get on your Christmas list. I have been good all year, honest!!
I get it from Watson’s, they have the coolest stuff. But it’s so pricey I needed to come up with another option. Making it is way cheaper. And lol!
We love making gifts from the kitchen and love cherries! Next season when we get them fresh I will have the girls help me make some to save for the holidays. Fabulous idea!
Hope the girls love making this. Makes awesome Christmas gifts.
Kim, this is a genius idea! I want this.
Thanks Jennie! It’s so fun to make.
What a great idea! What about frozen cherries? They might work well (second best to fresh).
Thank you. I would give frozen a whirl. Maybe just try a small batch to make sure the water content doesn’t mess with the vodka. It shouldn’t though, I mean we use ice in vodka right. I’m doing a batch with dried cherries. I think it’s going to be fabulous.
I want to be on your gift list
– The cherry extract sounds absolutely amazing. What do you think about using frozen cherries? I really love the idea!
I would totally try frozen. Just make sure they aren’t too sopping wet. I bet it would work great.
I spoil my family. I love to cook and make things. And my sis is like me but 100 times more creative and organized, so she makes me look like a slacker. lol
What a fantastic gift idea! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Megan.
A two ingredient dish? That can be used as a gift? LOVE this idea!!!! I bet it will be fabulous with dried cherry…maybe a little sweeter, which is never bad IMHO
I know right. So easy. I love sweeter so I had to try the dried version. Crossing fingers it’s as good.
Oh, I just noticed we both have similar blog look
Your cherry extract looks and sounds delish!Love how easy and simple this is to put together and makes for an ideal holiday gift 
Very cool. I am so about simple and easy.
You are the Gift Queen, lunatic or not. I totally want to be on your gift list. For the rest of my life. You’ve got so many fun ideas, but none better than this cherry extract. I’ve been wondering about it ever since you posted that you were bringing to our virtual gift exchange today. I love, love, love it, and want to make it as soon as humanly possible. How about frozen cherries??
I’ve never tried with frozen so not sure if the moisture content would be an issue. I don’t think so though. I’m doing a batch with dried now.
This is a first my friend but absolutely beautiful – what a great idea
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks so much Uru. xx
I have never used cherry extract. Pinned this one for next summer! Hmm, I suppose you could even use it to make non-virgin Shirley Temples?
You gotta try it, so good. It’s great for drinks and baking.
Super easy, who know..
I know right.
So now how do I get one your Christmas gift list? But seriously you have inspired me to get even more creative with my gift giving with amazing recipes like this.
Lol, I think I’m going to have to do a giveaway with some of my homemade goodies. I love making stuff. It’s just so cool to make things for people you adore.
this fascinated me – never knew you could do it at home!
Thanks. It’s super easy to do.
What a great recipe, and I love the bottles!
Thanks so much Conni!
Oooh, so simple… just 2 ingredients. Bet most of the stuff we buy is artificial … this must be so good ! Will try it sometime !
It really is so much better cuz there’s no chemicals and stuff in it. Simple and fun.
I would never have thought making an extract was like this. You are a smart cookie. I bet it makes everything taste yummy.
Awe thanks Ramona. I love doing stuff like this. It’s great in baked goods.
Hmmmm, I could add some sugar to this and I bet it would make a great cordial…. cause I’m a bad girl like that
Lol Janet. You go girl.
Whoa. You’re like…a genius with homemade gifts.
Lol, thanks Kayle. I like getting creative.
I love this idea and can’t wait to try my own Cherry Extract… I can smell it already!
We should have been friends before, Kim!!! LOL I’d love to get on your list
I was looking for the rest of the ingredients for this… simplicity at its best! Nicely done, Kim!
Kim I expected to find an ooey-gooey lick-your-computer-screen dessert and instead this fabulous find! Tis the time of year to consider gift making and this is so clever! I’ve made Kahlua and Creme de Menthe but somehow it never seems appropriate to gift to teachers for instance! This will be going on my list!
I just learned how to make cherry extract in 2 minutes. Love this idea for a gift.
I don’t think I’ve ever used cherry extract but it sounds delicious!!! Love the food gifts theme.
This would make an excellent gift! I’m trying to think of all things I could use it in!
How is the dried cherry version coming??? Inquiring minds want to know!
I’ve never had or used cherry extract, weird hey? Love this – and love gifts from the kitchen.
I’m still working on homemade gifts as they are still relatively new to me and I always doubt myself who wants something homemade from my kitchen… I need to learn and find good gifts like this one. I’d be happy to receive this as a gift, so I hope I can do the same to others! Great idea, Kim!
This is the perfect way to aromatize sweets even when cherries are not in season!
This is absolutely brilliant! I think I’d just take the jar and chug it down
I love this! Homemade gifts are incredible. I expect to see more of these recipes in the coming weeks. Great job.
I love this idea!! Usually I see homemade vanilla but not cherry. Going on my list for next summer when I pick fresh cherries.
I’ve never seen/heard/used of cherry extract but what a wonderful gift! This is definitely great for any cherry lover.
This is awesome! I was wondering if I could do something like this with oranges and lemons, so now you’ve convinced me that I can. What a great Christmas gift too!
What a great idea
I love how you think! I would never have thought to make such a thing. This is awesome…I would love a gift like this.
So what do you do with the cherries after the 2 weeks is up? I bet they’d be good in more than a few drinks or even adding that extra zing to a fruit salad! Do you need to refrigerate the extract or does the vodka take care of any issues? Now I’m thinking of all kinds of things I could do with cherry extract!!!
Hi Dianna. Thanks for stopping by. I threw mine out to be honest. I was so busy the day I drained the jar it never occurred to me to use them. I would think a vodka cobbler would be killer good. I did not refrigerate mine. It’s in a cool, dark closet. The smaller jar is in my pantry. There’s a new version posting soon. Used dried cherries for that one. So good.
Hi,
I just ran across your website,very helpful….I do however have a question,do you strain the cherries out when the 2 weeks is up and how long does the extract stay good for?
Thanks,
Teresa
Hi Teresa. Yes you strain the cherries out and discard them. The extract should be stored in a cool, dark place with a shelf life of between 6 – 12 months. Depending on how you store it the flavour should last a good 6 months minimum. After that time I usually give my extracts a good swirl in the bottle then smell them. If the smell is off toss it, it should have that strong cherry smell every time you open the bottle. All extracts work the same way. They should have a strong scent of the flavour inside. Hope that helps.