Description
This homemade cherry jam recipe yields approximately 2 cups of sweet, tangy cherry preserves, perfect for spreading on toast or adding to desserts. Made with fresh cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and fruit pectin, the jam is cooked on the stovetop and preserved through a boiling water bath to ensure safe, long-lasting storage.
Ingredients
Scale
Cherries
- 4 cups fresh cherries, pitted
Other Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 package (1.75 oz) fruit pectin
Instructions
- Prepare Cherries: Wash the cherries thoroughly and remove the pits. You can use a cherry pitter for faster removal or cut the cherries in half to extract the pits manually.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large pot, combine the pitted cherries, granulated sugar, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir the mixture well, then let it sit for 30 minutes to allow the cherries to release their natural juices.
- Heat the Mixture: Place the pot over medium heat and bring the cherry mixture to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and burning.
- Add Pectin: Once the mixture starts boiling, stir in the fruit pectin according to the package instructions. Continue cooking and stirring until the jam reaches a full rolling boil again.
- Test for Doneness: Use the cold plate test by placing a small amount of jam on a chilled plate and pushing it with your finger. If the jam wrinkles and holds its shape, it has reached the desired consistency.
- Jar and Preserve: Carefully ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars, seal each jar tightly with a lid, and process them in a boiling water bath for 5 to 10 minutes to ensure preservation and safety for storage.
Notes
- Use fully ripe, fresh cherries for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- Ensure jars are properly sterilized to prevent contamination and spoilage.
- The boiling water bath processing time may vary based on altitude; adjust accordingly.
- Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place; refrigerate after opening.
- You can adjust the sugar amount slightly depending on your sweetness preference, but it may affect the jam’s setting.
