tart cherry jam

Recipe by
Chris Lidberg
Lady Lake, FL

This recipe has won two blue ribbons for me at State Fairs. I first entered it in the Minnesota State Fair when I lived there. Now that I live in Florida, I entered it here this year and won first place. The cherries are key!

yield 6 to 7 half pint jars
prep time 4 Hr
cook time 45 Min
method Canning/Preserving

Ingredients For tart cherry jam

  • 3 lb
    sour cherries, stems discarded, pitted and chopped making 4 cups of finely chopped cherries
  • 4 3/4 c
    sugar
  • 1 pkg
    sur jell
  • 1/2 tsp
    butter

How To Make tart cherry jam

  • 1
    Wash Cherries
  • 2
    Remove stems and pits from cherries
  • 3
    Chop Cherries
  • 4
    Place exact amount of cherries (4 Cups) into a 6 or 8 quart saucepan.
  • 5
    Measure exact amount of sugar into a separate bowl and set aside.
  • 6
    Stir 1 box of pectin into fruit, and add 1/2 tsp. of butter.
  • 7
    Bring mixture to full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly.
  • 8
    Stir in sugar quickly. Return to full rolling boil and boil exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
  • 9
    Ladle quickly into prepared jars, filling to 1/4 inch of tops. Wipe jar rims and threads. Cover with two piece lids. Screw bands tightly. Place jars on elevated rack in canner. Lower rack into canner. Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches; add boiling water if needed. Cover; bring water to gentle boil. Process 10 minutes. Remove jars from canner and place upright on a towel to cool completely. After jars cool, check seals by pressing middle of lid with finger. If lid springs back, lid is not sealed and refrigeration is necessary.
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