Canning Cherry Jam | Small Batch
Make a variety of your favorite jams with small batch canning. We have an easy cherry jam recipe that is easy to make a delicious.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 1/3 cups sugar
- 2 2/3 cups halved pitted cherries
- 1/2 teaspoon butter
- 3 Tablespoons pectin
Instructions
- Place the pectin evenly around the inside of the automatic jam/jelly maker, confirming the stirrer is in the maker.
- Add the cherries and butter.
- Press the Jam and the Enter buttons on the maker, confirming the time is set to 21 minutes.
- After 4 minutes the maker will beep, indicating it's time to add the sugar. Pour the sugar into the mix and place the cover on top.
- The maker will do all the work and stir the mix, just listen for the beeps!
- Ensure the seals and jars are ready to go and that you have the funnel, ladle and bands.
- You will also want to have a wet sterile paper towel to clean the rim of the jars after filling.
- Once complete, the maker will beep again when it is complete.
- Remove the stirrer with a pot holder and set aside (because it's really hot)
- Begin filling each jar using the ladle and jar funnel. Leave 1 inch headspace (that is top from the jar) when filling.
- Clean off each jar rim to ensure there is no cherry jam to keep the jar from sealing.
- Place a sterile seal/lid on top of each jar and hand tighten the band over the jar to secure the lid.
- Place the jars of jam into water bath and process for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the water bath and allow to cool and seal.
- Date and label the jars, so you know what it is.
Notes
Tips for Canning Cherry Jam
- Want to use less sugar, use 3 1/4 cups berries and 2 cups sugar instead
- Do not over fill the maker, make 1 batch and watch how far it boils up, before doubling the batch
- Cherries will boil HIGH, so be precise with your measurements
- Make sure you measure the berries crushed and not whole, or you will not have the correct ratios to make jam
- While the cherry jam is processing, get everything around you need for the next steps
- It takes about 30 minutes (or so) to make a batch of jam
- Wash your cherries before you start
- Adding butter helps reduce the foaming, you may need to skim foam if there is still foam
- You absolutely need a pot holder to remove the stirrer, that area is hot, so use caution!
- The maker is going to be hot as well, it was just holding the 'pot' of hot jam, so unplug and allow it to cool before washing
- Have more cherries than you want to can, make a cobbler, muffins, scones, or bread