Cherry Jam (3 Ingredients)
Only 3 ingredients, no pectin, and adjustable sugar. Use any amount of cherries, I’ll guide you through the amount of sugar for whatever amount you've got!
Ingredients
- 500 g Pitted Cherries (1.1lb - Please read notes below)
- 200 g Granulated Sugar (0.44lb - Please read notes below)
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Wash and pit the cherries. You can leave them whole, but I cut mine in half to check for worms and make sure they're clean.
- Weigh the pitted cherries to know how much sugar to use. (See notes for sugar percentage based on sweetness.) Then add the sugar.
- Add the lemon juice. Stir to combine.
- Place the pot on medium heat and bring to a boil. You can remove the foam on top if you want but it’s optional.Cook the jam, checking every 15 minutes. The total time depends on how juicy your cherries are, mine took about 1 hour.
- Do the cold plate test: Drop a little jam onto a cold plate, wait a few seconds, then run your finger through it. If it wrinkles and holds shape, it’s ready.
- Pour into a sterilized jar while still hot. Seal immediately and let cool at room temperature. Store in pantry or fridge (you can read the storage section for more details).
Video
Notes
- You don’t need exactly 500g (1.1lb) of pitted cherries. This recipe works with any amount. Just weigh your pitted cherries and adjust the sugar using a percentage.
- For sweet cherries: Use 40% of the cherry weight in sugar. That means for every 1 pound of cherries, use about ¾ cup of sugar (roughly 180g or 6.3 oz).
- For more tart cherries: Go with 50% sugar for better balance.
- For low-sugar jam: You can use as little as 25% sugar, but the jam may not set as firmly and won’t last as long in the fridge.
- The lemon juice stays the same: Use about 1 tablespoon (juice of half a lemon) for every 500g (1.1lb) of pitted cherries. Adjust slightly up or down based on your batch size.
- Don’t forget to taste the cherries first. That will help you decide how much sugar you need.
- Nutrition info is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and portions. For the most accurate details, consider using a nutrition tool or checking our full Nutrition Information Disclaimer.
- Video filmed using Arkon's Remarkable Creator™ Pro+Plus Mount w/Ring Light (Code Buttercut for $$ off).
Nutrition
Serving: 1TbspCalories: 35kcalCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 0.2gSugar: 8g
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