Cherry Almond Preserves
Sweet and tart cherry almond preserves feature vibrant cherry flavor complemented by almond extract, perfect for spreading on toast or adding a fruity touch to desserts. Suitable for gifting or everyday enjoyment.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large kettle, bring the cherries and water to a boil. Boil for 15 minutes.
- Add sugar and bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil for 4 minutes.
- Stir in liquid fruit pectin. Return to a full rolling boil.
- Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
- Stir in almond extract.
- Skim off foam.
- Pour hot preserves into hot jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace.
- Adjust caps and process jars in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Cherry Almond Preserves, consider using fresh cherries when in season; they yield the best taste. If you're short on cherries, you can substitute part of them with frozen sour cherries or even mix in some blueberries for a twist. Ensure to follow the boiling times closely to achieve the perfect consistency. This recipe can be adapted for other fruits, like apricots, for a delightful variation.
Serving Suggestions
Cherry Almond Preserves are perfect for spreading on toast or scones for breakfast. They also pair beautifully with cheese platters, particularly creamy cheeses like brie. For a delightful dessert, serve them alongside vanilla ice cream or use as a topping for pancakes. This preserves can even enhance the flavors in American recipes, making it a versatile addition to your kitchen.
Storage & Reheating
Store the sealed jars of Cherry Almond Preserves in a cool, dark place. Once opened, keep the jar in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 weeks. If you have leftovers, you can reheat them gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring until warm, or use the microwave in short intervals, ensuring not to overheat.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cherry Almond Preserves contains roughly 164 calories, with 4g protein, 41g carbohydrates, and 1g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (70% of the Daily Value) and dietary fiber (27% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 8g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen sour cherries in this recipe. Just make sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before adding them to the kettle. The flavor may be slightly different, but they will still work well in your preserves.
What should I do if my preserves didn’t set?
If your Cherry Almond Preserves didn't set, you can reprocess them. Simply pour the preserves back into a pot, add a bit more liquid pectin, and bring it back to a boil for another minute. Then, jar them again, ensuring to follow the processing times to help them set properly.
How long can I store the preserves?
If sealed properly, Cherry Almond Preserves can last for up to one year when stored in a cool, dark place. Once opened, they should be refrigerated and consumed within 2-3 weeks for the best flavor and quality.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).