Cherry Berry Jam Recipes

EASY SMALL-BATCH CHERRY BERRY JAM

Steps:

• Slice clean cherries into 4 pieces, discarding the stems and pits.
• Place the cherries and blueberries in a medium saucepan with lemon juice (or any juice: 2 tbsp - 4 tbsp), and maple syrup over medium-high heat.
• Bring up to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer (slow boil) for 15 - 30 minutes gently pressing the fruit with a masher or the back of a large slotted spoon. Stir frequently.
• The fruit will continue to breakdown and reduce on the stove (it thickens more as it cools). Leave on the heat until close to desired thickness is achieved. This could take more or less time depending on the choice of fruit.
• The jam will look thicker/heavier, the liquid will not be watery/loose anymore.
• Place a small amount of jam on a plate in the freezer for a few minutes, if it starts to gel, it is ready. If not, continue to cook for a few more minutes.
• Some fruit takes 30 minutes or more to reduce - it depends on the size and type of fruit, how juicy it is, and how hot your stove is.
• Pro Tip: After you've made this jam a few times, you will instinctively know when it's ready!
• Taste and adjust sweetness and tartness levels as desired for personal preference.
• If using the chia seed thickening method, stir them in (~2 tbsp) once the fruit is broken down.
• Remove from heat and let cool completely.
• Transfer cooled jam to a glass jar with a lid and store in the fridge or a freezer-friendly container and store in the freezer.

CHERRY-RASPBERRY JAM

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, combine cherries and raspberries; stir in pectin. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar; return to a full rolling boil. Boil and stir 1 minute. , Remove from heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot mixture into eight hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight., Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

EASY CHERRY JAM

Steps:

• Put two saucers in the freezer for testing the jam later on. Tip the cherries, sugar and lemon juice into a large, heavy-based saucepan and simmer uncovered over a medium-high heat for 35-50 mins, stirring frequently until thick and glossy.
• After 35 mins, spoon a little of the jam onto one of the chilled saucers. Leave for 1 min, press a fingertip into the jam. If it starts the wrinkle, it's ready. If it slides away, continue to boil the jam for 10 mins, then test again on the other saucer.
• Spoon the jam into sterilised jars and seal. Will keep for six months unopened (when stored in a dark, cool place), or opened in the fridge for three months.

BLUEBERRY-CHERRY JAM

Steps:

• Measure berries, then crush.
• Pit and finely chop cherries then measure.
• Mix fruit into 8 qt pot.
• Add pectin to fruit in pot.
• Bring to a full boil over high heat.
• Add sugar and stir.
• Return to a boil and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat, skim off any foam and ladle into hot jars.
• Wipe jar rims and threads, top with two piece lids, tighten lids.
• Process for 10 minutes in hot water bath.

MIXED BERRY JAM

Steps:

• In a large pan, combine berries with sugar.
• Crush berries with a potato masher.
• Add lemon juice and lemon rind.
• Bring to a boil, skimming off any foam that forms.
• Cook at a full boil until jam thickens, approximately 30 minutes (jelling point is 221F).
• While the berries are cooking, sterilize your jars and heat the seals in a pan of hot water.
• Pour jam into hot jars; wipe rims, place seals and screw on bands fingertip-tight.
• Process in a boiling water bath for five minutes; remove to a protected countertop and let cool, undisturbed for 24 hours.
• If any of the lids have not sealed, either re-process or store in the refrigerator and use those jars first.