Thursday, July 24, 2008

Chocolate Cherry Jam

I apologize for being absent. I honestly was going to post yesterday and had a nasty migraine.

Several of you have shown interest in my mention of chocolate cherry jam. As you know, I belong to Recipezaar. It is a great place to find ALL kinds of recipes! While surfing thru the canning recipes, I stumbled upon this one. I was very intrigued, so here it is!

My instructions are for American canning equipment, which I understand is quite different from European.

This smells heavenly, like a box of chocolate covered cherries!

Chocolate Cherry Jam
I got 8 half-pint jars plus probably enough to fill another, but you gotta sample!

6 cups prepared fruit (Bing cherries) - pitted, cut up and smooshed - measure after pitting, cutting and smooshing
3 unsweetened chocolate squares (3 oz)
4 cups granulated sugar
1 box Sure-Jell
1/2 teaspoon butter

Pit cherries, cut and smoosh. I used a potato masher to smoosh them. This is messy, so my advice is put the bowl down in a sink. Otherwise you will have cherry juice all over your shirt. Also, it tends to stain hands and fingernails, so beware. Or you could just buy them frozen and save yourself the trouble! If using frozen, use both liquids and solids, don't drain.



Ok, that is a horrible pic, but you get the idea??

Anyway, put them in a large (6-8 quart) heavy saucepan. Add chocolate and butter. Measure 3-3/4 cups sugar into a bowl. Just before cooking, stir remaining 1/4 cup sugar together with the Sure-Jell. Stir into pan. Bring rapidly to a boil. As soon as it boils, add the remaining sugar. Bring back to a rolling boil and let boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Ladle into pint or half-pint jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Process 10 minutes in a boiling water canner.




That is it. In no time, you will have delicious chocolate cherriness! I am thinking this will be great over top of ice cream!

There is nothing more satisfying than that little "schnick" when those lids seal!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amazing! Thanks!!

Jan said...

I'm sorry to hear that you've been ill, migraines are nasty. I suffered with them at one time, but glad to say I haven't had one for several years, so maybe I've outgrown them. :-)

Your chocolate cherry jam sounds scrumptious.

Angela said...

Hi Raquel, you have my sympathies with the migrane, I have felt off all week. That jam looks delicious, will you post the tangerine one too?

Jan said...

Raquel - I really hope your fully recovered now. That jam looks delish!

Jennifer said...

Sorry about the migraine, I hvae never had one thankfully. I have never seen chocolate cherry jam, but it looks amazing!

Tracy said...

So sorry you've not been feeling well, Raquel...Suffering migraines on occasion I empathize sooo much. Hope you are feeling better! :o) Thank you very much for this wonderful recipe...what a perfect combination, cherries & chocolate in a jam form! tee-hee...Thanks for stopping by to see me again :o) Happy weekend to you & yours ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

Sounds delicious!!!

Anonymous said...

Raquel, that jam sounds divine! I bet it drove you nuts smelling it!

Marie Rayner said...

SO sorry to hear you have been ill Raquel! Has the book arrived yet? Lots of chocolate goodies in there to tempt your palate... and maybe even make you feel better! Love the sound of this jam! cherries and chocolate, the perfect combination!

StitchinByTheLake said...

Are you sure this stuff isn't sinful? It looks to me like it might be mentioned in the Bible as something we should avoid! I can feel the pounds adding to my hips! Blessings, marlene

Nic said...

Chocolate cherry jam sounds like a winning combination!
I suffer with migraines and know how awful they are, glad you are a little better.

Mike of Mike's Table said...

I love chocolate and cherry but never thought about trying it in a jam. This sounds like a dangerous thing to have handy! Yum!

Jannett said...

I am so making this...sounds amazing... :)

Tamara said...

I'll be making this this weekend! Hope you don't mind, I linked to your blog on my blog!

becky jaine said...

Thank you for this terrific toot!!! I JUST made this using your fabulous recipe. This is my first time EVEr making jam and it is the most delish thing ever!!! Can you kindly tell me, (new jammer question) once I've boiled them in the jars for 10 mins ... then how long is it good for (not that I expect it'll last too long). Should I refrig or freeze them, or is sealing them mean they are now shelf stable?

Raquel said...

Becky: The jars should last for a year providing they sealed. Hope you like it! You can freeze or refrigerate if you wish, but if the jars sealed, that is not necessary.