November 16, 2023

Trader Joe's Pitted Amarena Cherries Review

Trader Joe's Amarena Cherries review

Trader Joe's Pitted Amarena Cherries. Spoiler alert: After reading this, you'll want to start putting on your shoes and grabbing your purse to head to Trader Joe's. 


We first reviewed these years ago when hosting Trader Joe's reviews on the baking blog Bake at 350Well, THEY'RE BACK! I just saw them in-store this week. This was the first review where I used the product in a recipe before reviewing it. Hello, pretty cake! Read on...

Trader Joe's Amarena Cherries review

These cherries come in a 16-ounce jar; look for them on an endcap or near the jellies and jams. They are seasonal, but I don't know how long their "season" is. I've seen them periodically during the year.


The cherries are pitted with stems intact. Similar to Maraschinos, Amarena cherries are sweet and packed in syrup. A jar costs $4.49. 


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Trader Joe's Amarena Cherries review

How to use Amarena cherries? 

  • in a drink or cocktail (hello, cherry Coke!)
  • in a recipe like this Amarena Cherry and Chocolate Marbled Bundt Cake!
  • on a cheeseboard
  • to top an ice cream sundae
  • for a gift with a bottle of booze and some pretty glasses
  • ...right out of the jar

Trader Joe's Amarena Cherry Coke

Y'all. These cherries make for the most sophisticated cherry coke ever. 


Oh, also check out our review of Trader Joe's Amarena Cherry Goat's Milk Cheese


Trader Joe's Pitted Amarena Cherries review


She says (Bridget): Oh. My. These cherries are one of my favorite Trader Joe's finds. I thank Flavia for that. They're sweet and decadent in a thick, luxurious syrup. No artificial colors or flavors. As much as I love a Maraschino cherry, these are better. The cherries are more flavorful with a sumptuous syrup. Amarena cherries are like Maraschino's sophisticated aunt who lives on the Amalfi Coast and wears red lipstick, a scarf, and oversized sunglasses.

Overall rating: 5 of 5 stars


He says (Mark): I like cherries. A LOT.  Mostly in pies, as a topping on ice cream sundaes, or in milkshakes.   But these were super rich in flavor, different from the cherries you usually come across. I'm not much of a mixed-drink, adult beverage kind of guy (beer or whiskey, please and thank you), but I had cocktails on the brain after just two of these cherries. The more I have, the more I appreciate them.

Overall rating: 5 of 5 stars


Trader Joe's Amarena Cherries review + recipe

Here's that Amarena Cherry and Chocolate Marbled Bundt Cake I made last year. It's dreamy. 

 Will we buy them again? EVERY TIME we see them in store!



Trader Joe's Pitted Amarena Cherries: Be sure to pick up a jar (or three!) while they're in stock! 


*updated for 2023; portions of this review were originally published here


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2 comments

Darlynne said...

I've run out of superlatives for these cherries. Last year I asked our TJs to set aside 10 jars for me because they are gone so fast. I've used them in everything and they'll work in any recipe that calls for cherries.

Lora said...

If you need these cherries in a larger quantity, Costco carries them. I have a nice big jar in my pantry!

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