This recipe for cherry jelly is ideal for breakfast spreads if you’re searching for a fun way to add flair to your morning meals. People of all ages love jelly because of its silky texture and the sweet, tart flavor of cherry. This recipe ensures a homemade delight that surpasses store-bought alternatives, whether you’re using it to fill pastries, spread it on toast, or drizzle it over pancakes. Additionally, if you’ve ever been interested in making sour cherry jam or jelly, this book will teach you all you need to know to make a delicious, adaptable preserve.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The following items are needed to produce this cherry jelly recipe:
Four cups of fresh cherries, ideally ripe and juicy
Three cups of granulated sugar
Two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
One packet (about 1.75 ounces) of pectin
Half a cup of water
The greatest flavor is guaranteed when using fresh cherries, but if fresh is not available, frozen cherries can also be used. If you like your jelly with a tangy flavor, sour cherries are a great choice.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prepare the Cherries
First, give the cherries a good cleaning. Eliminate the stems and pits since they may change the jelly’s texture. The inherent tartness of sour cherries will give the finished product a distinctive flavor profile. After cleaning, put the cherries in a big pot.
Cook the Cherries
To the saucepan containing the cherries, add the ½ cup of water. Cook the cherries over medium heat, stirring periodically, for 10 to 15 minutes. Utilize a potato masher to break them down and extract their juices when they get softer. To extract as much flavor as possible, this stage is crucial.
Strain the Juice
After the cherries have reduced in size, pour the mixture into a bowl using cheesecloth or a fine-mesh sieve. If you want a clear jelly, do not force pulp through the sieve; instead, gently press to extract as much juice as possible. About two cups of cherry juice should be left over.
Combine Ingredients
Return the cherry juice to a sanitized saucepan. After adding the pectin and lemon juice, raise the heat to a rolling boil. When it starts to boil, add the sugar all at once and stir continuously to dissolve it. After letting the mixture boil fiercely for one to two minutes, turn off the heat.
Test for Doneness
Use the spoon test to make sure your jelly sets correctly. Let the jelly cool for a few seconds after dipping a cold spoon into it. It’s ready if it thickens and maintains its shape when you tilt the spoon. If not, put the mixture back on the stove and boil it for one more minute before testing it again.
Put the jelly in a jar
Ladle the jelly into sterilized jars while it’s still hot, allowing a ¼-inch headspace at the top. After cleaning the rims, cover them with lids and bands. To guarantee correct sealing and preservation, process the jars in a boiling water bath for ten minutes.
Tips for Success
For the most flavor, use cherries of superior grade. If you’re experimenting with sour cherry jelly recipes, sour cherries are perfect.
To avoid infection and increase the jelly’s shelf life, sterilize your jars and tools.
To preserve the cherry pulp, omit the straining step if you prefer jam recipes to jelly.
Storing and Serving Your Cherry Jelly
The sealed jars should be kept in a cool, dark location after cooling. Cherry jelly that has been properly prepared can be kept for a year. Once the jar is opened, store it in the refrigerator and use it within a month.
You can use this cherry jelly for more than just breakfast spreads. You may use it as a meat glaze, spread it over sandwiches, or even stack it in cakes. There are countless options!
Why Try This Recipe?
In addition to tasting better, homemade preserves, like this recipe for cherry jelly, give you more control over the ingredients. You can adjust the sweetness or tartness to your liking and stay away from artificial ingredients. Additionally, you can produce distinctive flavors that aren’t available in supermarkets by experimenting with sour cherry jelly or jam recipes.
Conclusion
This cherry jelly recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves making their own spreads. It’s easy, lucrative, and very versatile. This dish is simple and sure to please any cook, regardless of experience level. Why wait, then? Get your ingredients together and begin making a batch of delectable cherry jelly that can be used for breakfast spreads and other purposes.
