Cherry Dessert Topping

This simple topping is great on cake, ice cream, and desserts of all kind. It is so much better than any you might find on the shelf at a grocery store, and unlike those ones, this homemade version isn't full of unnecessary chemicals and preservatives.

I recently made this to accompany my easy no-bake cheesecake, and both were so tasty, I didn't get the chance to snap a picture before eating them right up.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups pitted cherries
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

1. In a saucepan, stir together cherries, water, and sugar. Bring to a rolling boil on medium high heat, then reduce to simmer.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and cornstarch. Stir into cherry mixture.
3. Add vanilla extract to cherry mixture, return to medium heat and stir constantly for about 5 minutes. Allow to cool before placing in a glass container with a top.
4. Stores in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.