How to Make Delicious Cherry Jam

Are you tired of buying expensive cherry jam at the supermarket? Why not try making your own at home? Homemade jam is not only easy to make, but it also tastes so much better than store-bought. And with cherry season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to give it a go.

One of the great things about making your own jam is that you can control the ingredients. You can choose to add as much or as little sugar as you like, and you can even experiment with different spices and flavorings to create a unique taste. Plus, it’s a fun and rewarding activity that the whole family can get involved in. So, grab some fresh cherries and let’s get started on making a delicious batch of cherry jam!

After introducing the delights of homemade cherry jam, it’s time to dive into the actual process of making it! This section will guide you through ten simple steps to create your own batch of delicious cherry jam.

Gather Your Ingredients

Your first step in making cherry jam is to gather your ingredients. These include:

– 4 cups of pitted and halved cherries
– 4 cups of sugar
– 1 packet of fruit pectin
– 1 tsp of lemon juice

Prepare Your Equipment

You will also need a few pieces of equipment to make the jam. This includes:

– A large pot
– A jam thermometer
– A spoon
– A ladle
– Sterilized jars with lids

Cooking the Cherries

Start the process by adding your cherries, sugar, and lemon juice to the large pot. Stir the ingredients together and bring the mixture to a boil. Use the jam thermometer to ensure that your mixture reaches 220°F.

Adding Pectin

Once the mixture reaches 220°F, add the packet of fruit pectin. Continue stirring the mixture and let it reach another rolling boil.

Testing for Jam Set

After stirring for about a minute, take your pot off the heat to check for the jam set. You can determine this by placing a small amount of the hot mixture on a cold plate and testing it for thickness.

Skim Foamy Residue

Once you’ve tested for the jam set, use a spoon to skim off any foam or residue from the surface of the jam mixture.

Fill Your Jars

Ladle the hot cherry jam mixture into your sterilized jars while they are still hot. Fill them to about ¼ inch from the top.

Air Out the Jars

After filling the jars, make sure to release any air pockets trapped inside by tapping the jars gently on a flat surface.

Cover and Cool

Cover the jars with their lids and let them cool completely. Once they’re cool, store the jam in your fridge or pantry.

Enjoy your Delicious Homemade Cherry Jam!

Voila! In just ten simple steps, you’ve made your very own batch of cherry jam. Enjoy it on toast, croissants, or in your favorite baking recipes. It’s a perfect pantry staple to stock up on, and it makes for an excellent homemade gift too – just make sure you save some for yourself!

The second section of our article on how to make cherry jam will focus on the ingredients needed for the process, and the steps to prepare them. First, we will take a look at the ingredients required to make a delicious cherry jam.

Ingredients for Making Cherry Jam

1. Fresh Cherries: The most important ingredient for making cherry jam is, of course, cherries. You will need about 2 kg of fresh cherries for this recipe. Make sure to choose ripe cherries that are firm, juicy, and sweet.
2. Pectin: Pectin is a natural gelling agent found in fruits. It is important to add pectin in order to achieve the desired consistency of your jam. You will need about 4 tablespoons of powdered pectin for this recipe.
3. Sugar: Sugar is the sweetening agent and preservative in your cherry jam. You will need about 1 kg of white granulated sugar.
4. Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is also a natural preservative and helps to enhance the flavors of your jam. You will need about half a cup of fresh lemon juice.
5. Cinnamon: Though optional, cinnamon is a great addition to your cherry jam recipe. It accentuates the flavors of the cherries and gives your jam a warm and fragrant aroma. You will need about half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon.

Steps to Prepare Ingredients

1. Wash the cherries under cold running water. Remove the stems, pits, and any bruised or damaged ones.
2. Cut the cherries into halves or quarters, depending on the size.
3. In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Mix well and let sit for about 15 minutes to allow the cherries to release their juices.
4. In a small bowl, mix the pectin with a little bit of water and stir until dissolved.
5. Add the pectin mixture to the pot and stir well to combine.
6. Place the pot on medium heat, and bring the mixture to a boil. Stir occasionally to dissolve the sugar and pectin.
7. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour, or until the mixture has thickened and reduced by about a third. Stir occasionally to prevent burning and sticking to the bottom of the pot.
8. Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes before jarring it in sterilized jars.
9. Fill the jars with the hot jam up to about ¼ inch from the top, and seal tightly with sterilized lids.
10. Place the jars in a large pot of boiling water and process for about 10 minutes to seal them properly. Remove from the water and let cool completely before labeling and storing in a cool, dark place.

Ingredients Needed to Make Cherry Jam

Making homemade cherry jam is an easy process. It requires just few simple ingredients and a little patience. Here are the basic things you need to make cherry jam:

Fresh Cherries

The first ingredient you need to make cherry jam is fresh cherries. Choose firm and ripe cherries, because they contain the perfect amount of natural pectin, a substance that helps to set the jam.

Sugar

Sugar is an essential ingredient that provides texture, flavor, and helps to develop the jam’s natural color. It also acts as a natural preservative to extend the shelf life.

Pectin

Pectin is a natural substance found in ripe fruits, especially cherries, and is used to thicken the jam. Many varieties of cherries contain enough natural pectin that you do not need to add more.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice helps to stabilize the color of the jam and add a slight tangy taste to balance the sweetness.

Vanilla Extract (Optional)

Vanilla extract is an optional ingredient that adds a subtle flavor to the cherry jam. If you like the taste of vanilla, add it during the cooking process.

Instructions on Making Cherry Jam

Now that you have gathered all the necessary ingredients, let’s move on to how to make cherry jam. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Wash and Pit the Cherries

Before making the jam, you need to remove the pits from your cherries. Rinse the cherries under cool water and pat them dry with paper towels. Then, remove the stems and cut the cherries in half. Using a cherry pitter tool, remove the pits from each cherry.

Step 2: Combine the Ingredients

In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the cherries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir the ingredients together until the sugar dissolves.

Step 3: Cook the Jam

Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Keep stirring frequently so that the jam does not burn. Once the jam reaches its boiling point, lower the heat to medium and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes. Skim off any foam that appears on the surface of the jam.

Step 4: Test the Jam

After 25-30 minutes, check to see if the jam has reached its setting point by placing a small amount of jam onto a chilled plate. Let it cool for a few minutes. If it sets, it is ready. If it is too runny, continue to cook the jam for a few more minutes.

Step 5: Jar the Jam

Once your jam is ready, ladle it into sterilized jars and leave about 1/4 inch of headspace to allow for expansion. Wipe the rims of the jars clean and seal them tightly. Set aside the jars to cool and store in a cool, dark place.

Conclusion

In conclusion, making homemade cherry jam is easy, and requires only few simple ingredients. It is an excellent way to enjoy juicy, fresh cherries all year round. A jar of homemade cherry jam also makes a great gift for your family and friends. So, next time you have extra cherries on hand, try making cherry jam and taste the difference in flavor and quality.

Enjoy Your Homemade Cherry Jam!

That’s it! You now know how to make a delicious cherry jam that would be perfect for spreading on toast or as a topping for your favorite desserts. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t worry if your first attempt isn’t perfect. Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and we hope you found it helpful. Don’t forget to visit again for more exciting recipes and food-related topics. Happy cooking!