Cherries: Aim for roughly 4 cups (1¼ pounds) of cherries before pitting; you’ll yield about 3½ cups once pitted. Varieties such as Bing, Hudson, Montmorency, or Rainier are all excellent choices.
Butter: To quickly soften butter, cut each stick in half and microwave at 10% power for 1 minute. Check for softness and heat for another 40 seconds at the same power if needed.
Vanilla Ice Cream: Store-bought or homemade vanilla ice cream pairs wonderfully. Whipped cream also makes an indulgent addition.