Cherry Martini

2 cups pitted, halved Northwest fresh sweet cherries
1/4 cup almond liqueur
2 teaspoons sugar
12 lady fingers, split in half lengthwise*
1/4 cup whipped low fat cream cheese
4 whole Northwest fresh sweet cherries with stems

Mix cherries, liqueur and sugar; marinate 1 hour or longer. Arrange ladyfingers against sides of 4 martini glasses.

Just before serving, spoon 1/2 cup cherries over lady fingers in each glass. Swirl 1 tablespoon cream cheese over cherries in each glass. Garnish with whole cherry and serve.

Tips:

• Orange liqueur may be substituted for almond liqueur.

• Angel food cake or pound cake, cut into 3 x 1 x 1/2-inch strips, may be substituted for ladyfingers. Lightly toast strips, if desired.

• Whipped cream or topping, dairy sour cream or cr me fraiche may be substituted for cream cheese.

Makes 4 servings.

Recipe courtesy of The Northwest Cherry Growers.