1½ cups pitted and halved fresh cherries
¾ cup milk
1¾ cups heavy cream
½ cup sugar
Pinch of salt
2 tablespoons amaretto liqueur
⅓ cup pitted and chopped fresh cherries
⅓ cup dark chocolate chips or chunks
Combine the 1½ cups cherries, milk, 1 cup of cream, sugar and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the mixture begins to steam, then reduce heat to low and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and, using a blender or immersion blender, puree the mixture until smooth. Pour the mixture into a large bowl, preferably one with a pour spout, and stir in remaining cream. Chill until completely cold.
When ready to churn, stir in amaretto. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s directions. When the ice cream has finished churning, place in an airtight container and fold in the remaining cherries and chocolate chips. Place in the freezer until completely frozen.