Cherry Summer in a Winter Jar: Savor the Sweetness All Year Round!

Dreaming of plump, juicy cherries in the dead of winter? Don’t despair! This recipe lets you capture summer’s taste bud magic and enjoy it all year long. Plus, keeping this recipe stocked up encourages you to try more fun and creative ways to use these preserved cherries throughout the colder months. Here’s how to bottle sunshine and bring a taste of summer to your winter table:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs fresh sweet cherries, pitted
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups water
• 1 tsp lemon juice (optional, for extra acidity)
• 4 half-pint mason jars with lids and rings

Instructions:

1. Prep the Pits: Wash and dry the cherries thoroughly. Using a cherry pitter or a straw (poke through the stem end!), remove the pits from all the cherries.

2. Syrup Symphony: In a large saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves completely. You can add a teaspoon of lemon juice at this point for a brighter flavor, but it’s entirely optional.

3. Cherry Bath: Once the sugar syrup simmers, gently add the pitted cherries. Let them simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the cherries to soften slightly and absorb the delicious syrup flavor.

4. Jar Joust: While the cherries simmer, sterilize your mason jars. Wash the jars thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Rinse them well and bring a large pot of water to a boil. Carefully lower the jars into the boiling water using tongs and let them simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the jars with tongs and place them upside down on a clean kitchen towel to air dry.

5. Fill ‘Er Up: Using a slotted spoon, carefully transfer the warm cherries into the sterilized mason jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Ladle the hot syrup over the cherries, ensuring all the fruit is submerged. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth and secure the lids and rings tightly.

6. Water Bath Waltz: Place the filled jars carefully into a large pot with a rack on the bottom to prevent them from touching. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the jars by at least 1 inch. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes to create a good seal.

7. Cool and Cozy: Carefully remove the jars from the water bath using tongs and place them on a wire rack to cool completely at room temperature. Once cool, check the lids for a tight seal by pressing the center. If the lid pops up, the jar isn’t sealed properly and needs to be refrigerated. Properly sealed jars can be stored in a cool, dark pantry for up to a year.