Serves 6

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup fresh or frozen sweet cherries, pitted

1 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped

2 tablespoons Kirsch

Stemmed cherries

Biscotti

• Combine cream and cherries in a blender. Pulse until mixture is blended and cherries are puréed. Strain cherry-flavored cream into a saucepan and heat until just bubbling.

• Reduce heat and add chopped chocolate. Stir constantly until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Add Kirsch and stir.

• Pour chocolate mixture into 1 or more fondue pots and place over heating source on lowest setting. Serve with stemmed cherries and biscotti.

A Bowl of Cherries

Most fresh cherries on the market are sweet cherries. Tart cherries turn up in jams and jellies, and occasionally as frozen cherries. Maraschino cherries aren't a type of cherry at all. They're sweet cherries that have been soaked in sugar syrup, flavored with a touch of almond and dyed red.