Cherry Cinnamon Conserve Recipes

SPICED CHERRY JAM, SMALL BATCH

Steps:

• Pit cherries, then process cherries and their juice in a food processor or chop finely by hand.
• Pour cherries and lemon juice into a non-reactive saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
• Stir in cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
• Gradually stir in pectin with a whisk. Bring mixture to a full boil, stirring constantly.
• Add in the sugar, stirring to dissolve.
• Return to a boil, boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat.
• Skim foam from top with a slotted spoon.
• Pour carefully into 4 oz. jars.
• Wipe rims of jars, place lids on and screw bands on just finger tight.
• Process sealed jars in a hot water bath canner for 10 minutes to seal.
• Place jars onto a dishcloth-covered countertop or cutting board to cool.
• Do not move the jars until they are cooled.
• After they are cooled, test the seals by pressing the center of lid with your finger. If the lids springs up when you lift your finger, it is NOT sealed. Refrigerate any unsealed jars of jam and use them within a few days. Sealed jars are good stored in a dry place for up to a year.

CHERRY PRESERVES

Steps:

• Place a round wire rack in the bottom of a large stockpot. The rack should fit as snugly as possible and should stand 1/2 to 1 inch above the bottom of the pot. Stand the four jars on the rack, and add the lids; it's not necessary to add the screw bands. Fill pot with enough water to cover jars by 1 to 2 inches; an additional 1 to 2 inches of space should remain below the rim of the pot so the water doesn't overflow. Bring water to a simmer (180 degrees) let lids and jars simmer 10 minutes or until you're ready to fill them. Place four small plates in the freezer.
• In a medium stockpot, combine the cherries, 1/4 cup sugar, and lemon juice; place over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar has dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in one-third of the remaining sugar, and cook, stirring, until it has dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the sugar in two more batches, stirring each batch until sugar has dissolved.
• Bring the mixture to a full boil, and cook, stirring frequently, 10 minutes. Place a candy thermometer in mixture, and cook, stirring frequently, until temperature registers 220 degrees. 30 to 40 minutes. While cooking, skim any foam that floats to the surface.
• With the temperature at 220 degrees, perform a gel test: Remove one of the plates from the freezer, and place a spoonful of the jam on it. Return the plate to freezer, and wait 1 minute. Remove plate from freezer, and gently nudge the edge of the jam with one finger. If the jam is ready, it will wrinkle slightly when pushed. If it is not ready, it will be too thin to wrinkle. If the jam does not wrinkle on the first attempt, cook 2 or 3 minutes more, and repeat the gel test.
• Once the jam has gelled properly, remove stockpot from heat. Using canning tongs, remove a jar from the simmering water, and empty the water back into the stockpot. Place the jar on a clean surface, and insert a canning funnel. Using a ladle, pour the jam through the funnel into the jar; fill to within 1/4 inch of the rim. Remove the funnel; wipe the rim with a clean damp towel. Using the tongs, lift a lid from the hot water; place lid, sealant side down, on the filled jar. Screw down the band, and tighten firmly, being careful not to force it. With the tongs, stand filled jar in simmering water. Repeat with the remaining jam and jars, making sure jars aren't touching sides of pot and are spaced 1 inch apart.
• Raise the heat to high, cover stockpot, and bring water to a boil. Process jars in boiling water for 10 minutes. Using tongs, transfer jars to a wire rack to cool completely. Store jam in a cool, dark place up to 1 year.