Description
Homemade sour cherry jam brings rustic European charm to your breakfast table, singing with tart and sweet notes. Polish grandmothers would proudly share this simple, pure preserve that celebrates summer’s most beloved fruit.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Fruits:
- 2 cups sour cherries, pitted and chopped
Sweeteners:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste, seeds from 1 vanilla bean, or vanilla extract
Instructions
- Gently mix pitted sour cherries with granulated sugar in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, allowing the fruit to macerate and release natural juices for half an hour at room temperature.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally and bringing the mixture to a gentle boil, which helps dissolve sugar crystals and intensify fruit flavors.
- Reduce heat to low, maintaining a soft simmer and continuously stirring to prevent scorching, allowing the liquid to gradually thicken and reduce for approximately 25 minutes.
- Observe the jam’s consistency, watching for a glossy, slightly viscous texture that coats the back of a spoon without immediately running off.
- Incorporate pure vanilla extract, stirring thoroughly to distribute the aromatic essence evenly throughout the jam.
- Continue cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes, which helps meld the flavors and further concentrate the jam’s texture.
- Remove from heat and let the jam cool naturally for 10-15 minutes, during which it will continue to set and thicken.
- Carefully transfer the warm jam into sanitized glass containers, leaving a small headspace to allow for potential expansion.
- Seal the jars and refrigerate, where the jam will maintain its vibrant flavor and smooth consistency for several weeks.
Notes
- Adjust sugar levels to control sweetness, using less for tart cherries or more for a sweeter spread.
- Check jam consistency by placing a small amount on a cold plate; it should wrinkle when pushed with a finger, indicating it’s ready.
- Consider adding a splash of lemon juice to enhance flavor and help with natural pectin activation.
- For a smoother texture, gently mash cherries during cooking or use an immersion blender to break down fruit chunks.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 162 kcal
- Sugar: 39 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg