Enjoy Cherry Flavor All Year Round

Cherries are like ruby gems of the fruit world—sweet, aromatic, and dazzling on any table. But their season is short. Here’s how to preserve cherry goodness all year, plus recipes to use them.

1. Freezing

• Wash and pit cherries (use a pit-remover for speed).
• Dry thoroughly and spread in a single layer on baking sheets.
• Flash-freeze at –18 °C for 1–2 hours, then transfer to labeled freezer bags.

2. Making Compote

• Sterilize jars and lids.
• Pack cherries (whole or pitted) into jars; dissolve sugar (200 g per kg fruit) in hot water and pour over, leaving 1 cm headspace.
• Process jars in a hot-water bath for 40–45 minutes; leave undisturbed 8–10 hours.

3. Cooking Jam

• Mix equal parts cherries and sugar (or 1 kg cherries to 700–800 g sugar).
• Let macerate overnight in the fridge.
• Simmer 30–50 minutes, skimming foam; test set on a cold plate.

4. Candying

• Simmer cherries in a syrup of equal parts sugar and water plus lemon juice and almond extract, 75 minutes until translucent.
• Or do multiple short boils over 3 days for brighter color.

Cherry Recipes

• Cherry Clafoutis
• Cherry & Strawberry Tart
• Cherry-Filled “Raffaello” Candies
• Cherry & Soc Flower Muffins
• Mascarpone Cake with Cherry Jelly
• Cherry & Walnut Ice Cream
• Cherry Cobbler