Fresh sour cherries are best, but you can also make this recipe with frozen morello cherries. These cherries will keep in the refrigerator for several months and are fantastic spooned over ice cream or a simple cake or even dropped into a glass of champagne with a little of their syrup.

　　

Ingredients

makes about 4 cups

　　2 1/2 cups (500g) sugar

　　3 cups (720g) water

　　1 1/2 cups (375g) brandy or cognac, or more to taste

　　1 1/2 pounds (680g) sour cherries, pitted

　　

Step 1

Put the sugar and water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat and add the brandy and cherries. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Remove the cherries carefully with a slotted spoon. Continue to simmer the liquid for 30 minutes, reducing the liquid to give it some body.

　　

Step 2

Take the pan off the heat and return the cherries to the liquid. Let cool to room temperature. Taste and add more brandy if you want. Store in the refrigerator.

　　Reprinted with permission from Dessert Fourplay: Sweet Quartets from a Four-Star Pastry Chef by Johnny Iuzzini and Roy Finamore. Copyright © 2008 by Johnny Iuzzini and Roy Finamore. Published by Crown Publishing. All Rights Reserved.Johnny Iuzzini,, executive pastry chef of the world-renowned Jean Georges restaurant in New York City, won the award for Outstanding Pastry Chef from the James Beard Foundation in 2006. This is his first book.Roy Finamore, a publishing veteran of more than thirty years, has worked with many bestselling cookbook authors. He is the author of three books: One Potato, Two Potato; Tasty, which won a James Beard Foundation award; and Fish Without a Doubt.__