Back to back cherry recipes, what can I say? It’s cherry season and I love cherries. This recipe is absolutely delicious and one of my favorites. My Sweet Cherry Amaretto Jam is a popular friend and family request as gifts, and it’s easy to taste way. It’s absolutely worthy of the praise, sweet with a touch of tartness. The amaretto balances against the cherry perfectly, giving a deep nutty flavor. I often leave the cherries chunky but you can also blend using a stick blender if you like a smoother jam.
The Amaretto
I was not overly familiar with amaretto before this recipe, and I think a lot of people are in the same boat. Amaretto is an almond flavored liquor originating from Italy. Amaretto is a diminutive of the word amaro, the word for “bitter”. The slight bitterness found in Amaretto is cancelled out by the sweetness of the cherries and sugar leaving you with an underlying rich and nutty flavor I love amaretto on its own now, and I recommend buying a decent amaretto for this recipe. It doesn’t have to be top shelf, but a good Amaretto will bring pack a big punch in this recipe.
The Cherries
Cherries are in season here, or at least cheaply available, starting in June and July. I keep a close eye on the local ads to find them on sale at the local grocery stores. I don’t grow my own, so I’m at the mercy of the market, but I can usually find them for between two or three dollars per pound. Use the deep dark red cherries, something like the rainier variety for this recipe. Stock up enough to do at least on batch of cherry amaretto and several batches of Cherry Limeade Concentrate. I promise the effort is totally worth it. One of these days I will have my own cherry trees and can make mountains of cherry products!
Make Cherry Amaretto Jam Easy
I 100% suggest investing in a cherry pitter. I’m never one to buy things that aren’t regularly useful, but this is one of those times where its worth it, even if I only use it once a year. Beside, it will save you so much time, I promise! I found hand pitting to be the pits (haha) but it can be done. One year, however, was enough for me. I also have a great recipe for Cherry Limeade Concentrate, which is one of my favorite juice concentrates to stock up on. I’ll link it right here!
*This recipe was inspired from this recipe found at theredheadedbaker.com.
How to Make Sweet Cherry Amaretto Jam
Course: SidesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy7
pints15
minutes20
minutesIngredients
3lbs Sweet Cherries – De-stemmed and pitted
1/3 C. Amaretto Liquor
4 C. of Sugar
6 Tbsp. Pectin
2 Tbsp. Lime Juice
Directions
- Fill water bath canner with water, turn heat on high and place jars into the canner to warm up.
- Roughly chop the cherries and add to a large pot along with the Amaretto, lime juice, and pectin. Bring to a hard boil for 5 minutes. If you prefer a chunkier jam leave as is, if you want it a bit smoother you can use a stick blender until you get the consistency you would like.
- Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Bring back to a boil and boil for one minute.
- Remove jars from water bath canner and fill with cherries and sauce.
- Wipe jar rims with white vinegar, center lids on jar, and place bands on fingertip tight.
- Place jars in water bath canner, ensuring they are covered by at least one inch of water. Bring back to boil.
- Process for 10 minutes.
- Once processing time is done remove jars and allow to cool for 24 hours before testing seal. if the lid doesn’t flex you are all set! Keep in a cool dark place for up to a year or more.
- Favorite Serving Suggestion – I spoon a little bit over the top of a bowl of homemade vanilla ice cream, a little goes a long way, but it is delicious!
