Treat yourself to this homemade Cherry Freezer Jam! This easy recipe has a wonderful, fresh flavor, it's fast to make, and it's so delicious. The perfect way to preserve your favorite summer fruit!
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Ginnie's Take
I love making freezer jam, and last summer I decided to branch out and try some different flavors. This delicious Cherry Freezer Jam ended up being my favorite! Now that Cherry season is here again, I'm so excited to share this recipe with you. This easy recipe has a scrumptious flavor, and it's so simple to make. Add this tasty jam to your summer bucket list!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Delicious Flavor - If you're a cherry fan, this recipe is for you! You'll love the fresh, sweet flavor of these preserved fresh cherries
- Easy to Make - You only need four ingredients for this jam, and it's super simple to prepare.
- Fun Way to Preserve Fresh Cherries - This recipe is a excellent, no fuss way to preserve summer cherries. It's also fun to make (alone, with family or friends, or with kids), and you're sure to be impressed with the results.
- Free Printable Label - Whether you're stocking your own freezer or sharing this homemade jam with a friend, make sure to grab the free printable labels. They're so cute!
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Ingredients
You need just four ingredients to make this recipe:
- Cherries - You'll use about 1 ½ pounds of fresh sweet cherries for this recipe. Bing cherries are the most variety, but other types (such as Tulare, Lambert, Lapin, Chelan, Ranier, Napolean, and Royal Ann) can also be used. Tip: If you'd like to use tart / sour cherries (like Montmorency or Morello), check out the Variations section or the recipe card for directions.
- Sugar - This recipe uses granulated sugar to sweeten the fruit and to help set (thicken) the jam. Tip: Avoid reducing the amount of sugar, and do not use sugar substitutes, both of which can lead to your jam not setting correctly.
- Lemon - Fresh lemon juice helps the jam set, and it enhances the fresh cherry flavor.
- Pectin - This naturally occurring stabilizer helps thicken your homemade jam. For this recipe, you'll need Sure Jell Original Premium Fruit Pectin, which is easy to find in most grocery stores. There are different pectin brands out there (Ball is another popular one), however they are not interchangeable. Tip: If you do happen to purchase another brand, you can use this recipe as a guide, but make sure to follow the directions on the box.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and dairy free, so you can share it with everyone at your table!
You'll Also Need
Gather the following supplies before getting started:
- Cherry Pitter - Although there are other ways to pit cherries, using a cherry pitter is the fastest and easiest tool for getting the job done.
- Food Processor - You need to finely chop the cherries, either by hand or with a food processor.
- Large Bowl + Spoon - For mixing everything together.
- Measuring Cups - It's important to use precise measurements for this frozen jam. You'll need both dry measuring cups and liquid measuring cups.
- Juicer - You'll need a juicer for the lemon juice. I love my old fashioned glass juicer but any type will work.
- Small Pot - For preparing the pectin.
- Ladle + Funnel - It's not required, but using a funnel makes transferring the jam to the jars much easier and less messy. I have this canning funnel, which fits perfectly on the edge of a mason jar. Tip: Use the funnel for other recipes, like Overnight Oats, too!
Best Jam Containers
You'll also need small, freezer-safe containers to store the jam:
- Mason Jars - I like to use glass mason jars to store my jam. They're sturdy and reusable, plus they come in different sizes. These half-pint (eight ounce) jars hold about one cup of jam, and these pint (16 ounce) jars hold about two cups.
- Plastic Containers - I've never broken a glass mason jar when making jam, but if you want to err on the safe side, these reusable plastic containers are also a great option.
How to Make Cherry Freezer Jam
These homemade cherry preserves are super easy to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Prep cherries. Start by de-stemming and pitting the cherries. Then finely chop the cherries using a food processor or by hand.
- Mix in lemon and sugar. Transfer the cherries to a large bowl. Mix in the fresh lemon juice, then stir in the sugar. Set this mixture aside for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to help dissolve the sugar.
- Combine pectin and water. After 10 minutes, combine the water and pectin in a small pot. Tip: Don't worry if you have a few lumps. They'll dissolve as the pectin heats.
- Heat pectin mixture. Bring the pectin mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, then boil for one minute, continuing to stir.
- Add pectin to fruit. Add the hot pectin mixture to the cherries, then stir for three minutes (or until the sugar is dissolved). Tip: I've found that this step can take closer to five minutes. A few tiny sugar crystals are okay, but the jam shouldn't be grainy.
- Transfer jam to jars. When the sugar has dissolved, transfer the jam to clean jars, leaving ½-inch of headspace at the top. Add the lids, then let the jam sit at room temperature for 24 hours (or until set). After the 24 hours, you can refrigerate the jam for three weeks or freeze it for up to one year.
Alrighty, time to enjoy your homemade Sweet Cherry Freezer Jam! You are going to love the delicious, fresh fruit flavor.
Freezer Jam Tips
This Frozen Cherry Jam recipe is virtually foolproof, as long as you follow the directions carefully and avoid substitutions. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Follow the directions exactly. This recipe is easy to make, but the timing and proportions are very important. Be exact when measuring ingredients, and follow all times given. Tip: Use the timer on your microwave (or phone) to keep track.
- Avoid reducing the sugar or using a sugar substitute. This recipe does have a lot of sugar, but in order for this Cherry Jelly to work, you need to use all of it. Tip: Use Sure Jell Low Sugar Premium Fruit Pectin instead and follow the directions inside the box, if you'd prefer to use less sugar.
- Make double batches in separate bowls. When preparing a double batch, make each batch in its own bowl, and heat the pectin separately.
- Clean your jars first. Before getting started it's important to wash and dry your storage jars thoroughly. Tip: After cleaning the jars, I like to rinse them with boing water as an extra precaution.
- Use ripe fruit. Fresh cherries are a must. Using fresh fruit ensures that your jam tastes great, and that it contains enough juice to dissolve the sugar. Over-ripe fruit can be mushy, leading to a bad texture or too much juice, which can prevent your jam from setting up.
- Wash and dry the cherries thoroughly. Make sure to wash your fruit, and dry it, too. You want to avoid adding excess liquid to the jam.
- Use Sure Jell Pectin. This recipe was specifically created for Sure Jell Original Premium Fruit Pectin. While there are other pectin brands available, they're not interchangeable. If you purchase a different brand, you can use this recipe as a guide, but follow the directions on the box.
Variations
To make this recipe with sour cherries, combine 2 cups finely chopped sour cherries with 4 cups granulated sugar (skip the lemon juice). Stir well, then let stand for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Prepare pectin and add to fruit as directed in the recipe card below.
Storage
After the Cherry Jam has set, you can store it in your refrigerator for up to three weeks, or you can freeze it for up to one year.
Related Recipes
Looking for more recipes for freezer jam? You'll love these ideas, too:
- Strawberry Freezer Jam - This delicious recipe is a summertime classic!
- Raspberry Freezer Jam - If you're a berry lover, you have to try this easy recipe.
- Peach Freezer Jam - The perfect way to preserve fresh peaches!
- Blackberry Freezer Jam - Another yummy recipe for berry fans.
- Blueberry Freezer Jam - You won't be able to resist these tasty preserves.
- Mango Freezer Jam - A unique flavor with a tropic twist!
Searching for more cherry recipes? Try my Cherry Tarts, Cherry Granola, Balsamic Cherry Sauce, and Cherry Smash Drink recipes next!
Printable Label
These adorable Cherry Freezer Jam labels are an easy way to add special touch when gifting jam to friends. And they're perfect for keeping track of different flavors in your freezer, too.
For best results, print the labels on white cardstock (or sticker paper). You can use them different ways:
- Attach them to your jars with decorative twine, string, or ribbon.
- Place them on the lid (under the ring).
- Stick them right to the jar (if using sticker paper).
To download the free printable labels, click here or anywhere on the image of the labels below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Freezer jam is a type of preserve that's made with fresh fruit, sugar, and pectin. Unlike traditional jam, it isn't cooked or canned, and it's stored in the freezer.
Freezer jam is an uncooked jam that's made with fresh fruit, sugar, and pectin. It must be refrigerated or frozen. Regular jam is made by cooking fresh fruit with sugar (and other ingredients, like lemon juice and pectin) until thickened. It is then canned using a hot water bath, which makes it shelf stable (before opening).
If your freezer jam didn't set up properly, it's possible that you didn't measure your ingredients correctly (which throws off the ratio of sugar to fruit), the sugar may not have been dissolved completely, or your pectin may be expired. You can always add more pectin to thicken it later (try following these remake instructions), or you can eat the jam as-is ... it will still be delicious!
Pectin is a naturally occurring ingredient (it's a soluble fiber found in fruits and vegetables) that's used to thicken and stabilize jams and jellies. When you combine it with sugar and fruit, pectin helps to create the thick, jelly-like texture you expect in jam. Learn more about how pectin works.
Freezer jam can be stored in your refrigerator for up to three weeks or frozen for up to one year.
No, you do not need to boil jars when making freezing jam, however you should clean them thoroughly (either in your dishwasher or by hand).
Cherry Freezer Jam
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds (680 grams) sweet cherries (see note)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 4 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 1 (1.75 ounce / 49 gram) box Sure Jell Original Fruit Pectin
Equipment
- Mason Jars (five ½-pint jars OR one ½-pint jar + two pint jars), or other freezer safe containers
Instructions
- Remove stems from cherries, then pit them. Finely chop cherries using a food processor (or by hand).
- Use a dry measuring cup to measure out exactly 2 cups chopped cherries, then add to a large bowl. (If you have extra cherries, reserve them for another use.)
- Stir lemon juice into cherries. Then add sugar and mix well. Let mixture stand for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After 10 minutes, combine pectin and ¾ cup water in a small pot. Bring mixture to a boil on high heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute (stirring constantly), then remove from heat.
- Mix hot pectin into cherry mixture, then continue stirring for 3 minutes, or until the sugar is totally dissolved. (This may take longer than 3 minutes.)
- Transfer jam to jars, leaving ½-inch of empty headspace at top. Cover with lids.
- Let jam sit at room temperature for 24 hours, or until set.
- Once jam is set, refrigerate for up to 3 weeks, or freeze for up to 1 year. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
