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Cherry Preserves

A delicious way to capture the sweet flavor of fresh cherries, perfect for breakfast, desserts, or as a gift.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 50
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 2 pounds pitted sweet cherries, roughly chopped Use ripe cherries for the best flavor.
  • 1 cup water Optional, for thinner preserves.
  • 6 ounces granulated sugar Approximately 3/4 cup.
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest From about 1 lemon.
  • 1 pinch salt

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Rinse, pit, and roughly chop the cherries. If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can leave some cherries whole.
Cooking
  1. In a large pot, combine the cherries, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. If you’d like a thinner preserve, add 1 cup of water.
  2. Over medium heat, cook the mixture until it starts to bubble, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  3. Once bubbling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring frequently until it thickens.
  4. To check if it’s ready, drop a spoonful onto a cold plate; if it holds its shape after a minute, it’s done.
  5. Carefully pour the hot preserves into sterilized jars, seal them, and let them cool completely.

Notes

Store in a cool, dark place. Properly sealed in sterilized jars, they can last for up to a year. After opening, refrigerate and use within a few weeks. Variations include adding spices like cinnamon or vanilla, or mixing in other fruits such as raspberries or blackberries.