Description

Cherry Butter: Homemade Preserving Fruit in Jars is a delicious, smooth fruit spread made from ripe, sweet cherries, sugar, and a touch of lemon juice. Simmered slowly and puréed until silky, this cherry butter captures the bright, deep flavors of summer cherries. Perfect for enjoying on toast, biscuits, or as a filling for pastries, it’s a great way to preserve cherries for enjoyment year-round.

Ingredients

Scale

3 ½ lbs sweet cherries (about 6 cups, pitted and chopped)
2 cups granulated sugar, divided
Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions

Rinse cherries under cool, running water.
Remove and discard pits; chop cherries and place in a bowl.
Transfer cherries to a large saucepan or jam pot.
Add 1½ cups sugar to cherries and stir to combine.
Bring to a soft boil over medium-high heat, stirring often.
Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for at least one hour, stirring occasionally.
If mixture sticks, reduce heat further. Remove from heat when thickened and deep red.
Purée mixture with a food processor, food mill, or immersion blender until smooth.
Taste and add the remaining ½ cup sugar if desired. Stir in lemon juice thoroughly.
Test the cherry butter thickness: spoon should form a mound. If not, continue cooking.
Ladle or pour cherry butter into prepared jars (maintain ¼” headspace if canning). Wipe rims, and affix lids.
Process jars in a boiling water bath canner for 15 minutes (20 minutes if above 6,000 ft) for both pints and half-pints.

Notes

For substitutions, try sour cherries and adjust sugar, or swap lemon juice with lime juice for a subtle twist. Make ahead by refrigerating for up to 3 weeks, or freeze for 6 months. For canning, use sterilized jars. If the butter is runny after canning, re-cook until thick. To avoid scorching, stir frequently and use a heavy-bottomed pot. If over-sweetened, balance flavor with extra lemon juice. Add spices like cinnamon for variation.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Category: Condiment
Method: Simmering & Canning
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 60
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 0mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 15g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: Cherry Butter