Cherry Jam with Red Wine

This classic cherry jam is made with only natural gelling agents (lemon juice) and refined with a splash of red wine. The complex flavor of wine perfectly compliments the sweetness of the cherries and adds a lot of character to this simple recipe.

Cherry Jam with Red Wine

Recipe by Anna BembryCourse: Jams and PreservesCuisine: GermanDifficulty: Medium
Servings

6

small jars
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

1

hour 

30

minutes

The classic cherry jam, refined with red wine for extra flavor and character.

Ingredients

  • 900 g / 2 lbs sweet or sour cherries (weighted after stems and pits have been removed)

  • 500 g / 18 oz sugar

  • freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon

  • 125 ml / 4 oz or 1/2 cup red wine (dry, alternatively medium-sweet)

Method

  • Combine cherries and sugar in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add lemon juice and red wine. Turn up the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, with the lid on, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 1 1/2 hours, with the lid off, until the fruit starts breaking down. Stir occasionally to prevent the fruit from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  • Make the wrinkle test to check if your jam has the right consistency. Spoon a little jam onto an ice-cold saucer. Leave for 30 secs, then push with your finger; if the jam wrinkles and doesn’t flood to fill the gap, it is ready. If not, turn the heat back on and boil for a little longer, then repeat the wrinkle test. If necessary, repeat until ready.
  • Turn off the heat and ladle the boiling hot cherry jam into sterilized jars,  filling to just below the rim. Close the jars with a lid and turn them upside down for 10 minutes. Turn the jars back up again and wait until fully cooled.

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