Cherry Freezer Jam
Learn how to preserve sweet cherries with this easy freezer jam recipe!
Servings: 80 servings (1 tablespoon)
Calories: 45kcal
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
Cherries - I recommend erring on the side of caution and purchasing slightly more than 1 ½ pounds of cherries (just to make sure you have enough). This recipe was developed using sweet cherries, and you can use any variety (such as Bing, Tulare, Lambert, Lapin, Chelan, Ranier, Napolean, or Royal Ann). If you'd like to use sour / tart cherries (like Montmorency or Morello), reduce the sugar to 4 cups and skip the lemon juice, then prepare as directed.
Pitting the Cherries - A cherry pitter is the fastest and easiest to use tool, but there are other ways to pit cherries if you don't have one.
Measure Carefully and Don't Substitute - Freezer jam is easy to make, but you should follow the recipe exactly as written, measure carefully, and avoid substitutions. This will help ensure the jam sets up properly.
What does "set" mean? Jam is considered set when it has thickened and is no longer runny. Just keep in mind that Freezer Jam does not get as thick as commercially made jam.
Sure Jell Pectin - You can find Sure Jell Pectin in most U.S. grocery stores (look for it in the baking aisle) or online. It isn't interchangeable with other pectin brands. If you purchase another brand, you can use this recipe as a guide, but follow the directions included with the package.
Lower Sugar Jam - If you'd like to make this jam with less sugar, use Sure Jell Less Sugar Pectin instead, and follow the directions on the package.
More Tips - Check out the info before this recipe card for step-by-step photos, plus tons of helpful tips, variations, and more!
Nutrition
Calories: 45kcal
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