Easy Homemade Cherry Jam Recipe
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Last summer, I ended up with more fresh cherries from our harvest than we could possibly eat. So, instead of letting them go to waste, I decided to make this easy homemade cherry jam recipe. What started as a simple afternoon project quickly became one of my favorite recipes of the season.
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A Sweet Taste of Summer in every jar
There’s something incredibly satisfying about turning fresh fruit into jars of deep ruby-red jam. The smell of simmering cherries filled the whole kitchen, and by the end of the day I had several beautiful jars cooling on the counter – each one tasting like summer.
As our garden produces more, more and more preserves come into my repertoire. That is one of the reasons why I started this site and used this platform to share a lot of jam recipes.
If you’ve never made homemade jam before, this is a wonderful place to start.
Why You'll Love This Jam
- Made with simple ingredients
- No complicated equipment needed
- Sweet, rich cherry flavor
- Perfect for toast, pastries, yogurt and desserts
- A beautiful way to preserve summer fruit.
Homemade Cherry Jam Recipe Ingredients
- 1 kg fresh cherries, pitted
- 500 – 700 g pectin sugar (depending on how sweet your cherries are)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (juice of one big lemon)
Tools needed to make Cherry Jam
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. Learn more
Homemade Cherry Jam Recipe Method
Step 1: Prepare the Cherries:
Wash and pit the cherries, then roughly chop them if you prefer a smoother jam texture. On the other hand you can use a food mill which will do the job too. I do a mix of both and add some larger pieces for a more rustic feel.
Step 2: Combine the Ingredients:
Add the cherries, sugar, and lemon juice to a large heavy-bottomed pot. Stir everything together and let it sit for 10 -15 minutes so the cherries release some of their juices.
Step 3: Cook the Jam:
Place the pot over medium heat and bring to a gentle boil. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
As the jam cooks, you’ll notice the cherries soften and the color deepen into a rich dark red. If foam forms, skim it off with a spoon.
Step 4: Let It Thicken:
Continue simmering for 25–40 minutes, stirring occasionally. The exact cooking time depends on how juicy the cherries are and how thick you like your jam.
Step 5: Testing if the jam is ready.
To test if it’s ready, place a small spoonful on a cold plate which has been in the freezer. After a few seconds, gently push it with your finger. If it wrinkles slightly, the jam is done.
On the other hand, you can drop a little on the plate and tilt it, if the jam stops flowing then its done.
Step 6: Fill the Jars:
Carefully pour the hot jam into hot sterilized jars and seal them immediately. while filling, keep the jars on a wooden board or tea towel to prevent them from cracking due to the temperature difference.
Then comes my favorite part – watching the jars cool on the counter while the kitchen still smells like cherries.
Full Video Tutorial
How Long Can You Store Homemade Cherry Jam?
I store all my homemade jams for well over a year in a cool cellar. Once opened, refrigerate and consume quickly. The steam creates a vacuum seal that helps preserve the jam for long. If you want extra assurance, a water bath canning for 10 minutes works too, though it\’s not strictly necessary if the process was done under sterile conditions.
Tips for the Best Cherry Jam
- Sweet cherries create a softer, sweeter jam.
- Sour cherries add a brighter, tangier flavor.
- A tiny splash of almond extract pairs beautifully with cherries.
- The jam will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Use a cherry pitter tool to speed up the pitting process.
Ways to Enjoy Cherry Jam
This homemade cherry jam is incredibly versatile. Some favorite ways to use it:
- Spread on homemade sourdough bread
- Swirled into yogurt
- Spoon over pancakes or waffles
- Added to cheesecake or desserts
- Layered into cakes
- Paired with soft cheeses on a snack board
Your feedback is valuable
If you try this recipe and love it, I would love if you come back and gave it 5 stars! Thank you so much for visiting Vital Fair Living – we’re so happy you’re here! I would love it if you can share this recipe using the social media buttons you see next to the post.
Recipe Card
Easy Homemade Cherry Jam
- Total Time: 1 Hour 10 Min
- Yield: 1.4 Kg 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A simple homemade cherry jam recipe made with ripe summer cherries and just a few ingredients for a rich, flavorful preserve.
Ingredients
- 1 kg fresh cherries, pitted
- 500–700 g pectin sugar (depending on how sweet your cherries are)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (juice of one big lemon)
Instructions
- Wash and pit the cherries, then roughly chop them if you prefer a smoother jam texture. I like leaving some larger pieces for a more rustic feel.
- Add the cherries, sugar, and lemon juice to a large heavy-bottomed pot. Stir everything together and let it sit for about 10–15 minutes so the cherries can release some of their juices.
- Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.As the jam cooks, you’ll notice the cherries soften and the color deepen into a rich dark red. If foam forms on the surface, skim it off with a spoon.
- Continue simmering for about 25–40 minutes, stirring occasionally. The exact cooking time depends on how juicy the cherries are and how thick you like your jam.
- To test if it’s ready, place a small spoonful on a cold plate set in a freezer. After a few seconds, gently push it with your finger. If it wrinkles slightly, the jam is done.
- Carefully pour the hot jam into hot sterilized jars and seal them immediately.
- While filling, keep the jars on a wooden board or tea towel to prevent them from cracking due to the temperature difference.
Notes
If you have a cherry pitting tool, the process is a lot faster. I took almost me an hour to do it by hand.
- Prep Time: 30 Min
- Cook Time: 30 -40 Min
- Category: Preserves
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 20 g
- Calories: 50 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 0.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0
