Dessert

Cherry Jam Recipe

ByMaya Arden September 12, 2026September 12, 2026

Introduction

This cherry jam recipe captures the sweet and tart flavors of fresh cherries, perfect for spreading on toast or adding to desserts. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make your own homemade jam that tastes fresh and vibrant.

The image shows one slice of toasted brown bread on a white speckled plate. The toast has a rough texture with holes and is spread with a thick layer of dark red cherry jam that has whole cherry pieces in it. On the plate, there is a knife with a wooden handle smeared with some jam. Surrounding the plate are small glass jars filled with the same dark red cherry jam. Near the jars, there are fresh dark red cherries with stems. The items rest on a white marbled surface, with part of a white marbled cutting board visible in the upper part of the image. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

6 cups fresh cherries
2 cups granulated sugar

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Step 1: Wash the cherries well, remove the stems and pits, and set the prepared fruit aside.

Step 2: Place the pitted cherries in a heavy pot. Stir in the granulated sugar and fresh lemon juice. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to draw out the natural juices.
Step 3: Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil while stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves.

Step 4: Increase the heat to medium-high and let it boil gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently. Test the consistency by placing a small drop of jam on a chilled plate; if it holds its shape, it’s ready.
Step 5: Remove the pot from heat. Use an immersion blender to lightly mash the cherries for a smoother texture, leaving some chunks if you prefer.
Step 6: Carefully ladle the hot jam into clean, sterilized jars and seal immediately. Let the jars cool at room temperature before refrigerating.

Tips & Variations

For a chunkier jam, mash the cherries less or skip blending altogether.
Add a cinnamon stick while boiling for a warm spice flavor, removing it before jarring.
If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the sugar by about ¼ cup, but keep in mind this may affect the jam’s shelf life.

Use frozen cherries if fresh ones are not available, but thaw and drain them before starting.

Storage

Store the cherry jam in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks once opened. For longer storage, freeze jam in airtight containers for up to 6 months. Reheat gently before using if desired.

How to Serve

A single slice of toasted bread with a crunchy brown crust sits centered on a white speckled plate. The toast is generously spread with a thick, glossy dark purple cherry jam with visible large chunks of cherries. Above the plate, there are two clear glass jars filled with the same dark cherry jam, placed on a white marble board. Four dark fresh cherries with stems are scattered near the jars. A vintage butter knife with a wooden handle rests across the bottom left edge of the plate, smeared with some of the cherry jam. The entire scene is set on a white marbled surface with a cream-colored cloth with red stitching partially visible on the left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use sweet or sour cherries for this jam?

Both work well, but sour cherries tend to give a more balanced tartness to the jam, while sweet cherries produce a milder flavor.

Do I need to sterilize the jars before filling?

Yes, sterilizing jars helps prevent spoilage and ensures the jam stays fresh longer. Boil jars and lids in water for at least 10 minutes before use.

Cherry Jam Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 101 reviews

This homemade cherry jam recipe captures the vibrant, sweet-tart flavor of fresh cherries with a simple blend of sugar and lemon juice. Perfect for spreading on toast, dolloping on yogurt, or using in desserts, this jam is made by cooking down pitted cherries with sugar until thickened, then optionally mashing for texture before jarning. A straightforward stovetop recipe that yields a luscious, preserve-perfect jam.

Author: Maya

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Yield: About 3 cups of cherry jam 1x
Category: Condiments
Method: Stovetop

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients

6 cups fresh cherries, washed, stems and pits removed
2 cups granulated sugar

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Prep cherries: Wash the cherries thoroughly. Remove the stems and pits carefully, then set aside the prepared fruit.
Combine ingredients: In a heavy-bottomed pot, place the pitted cherries. Add the granulated sugar and fresh lemon juice. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow the sugar to draw out the cherries’ natural juices.

Boil: Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil while stirring continuously to dissolve the sugar. Once dissolved, increase the heat to medium-high and let it boil gently, stirring frequently, for about 10-15 minutes. Test jam consistency by placing a small drop on a chilled plate—if it wrinkles and holds shape, it’s ready.
Mash: Remove the pot from heat. For a smoother jam, use an immersion blender to lightly mash the cherries, leaving some chunks for texture if desired.
Jar: Carefully ladle the hot jam into clean, sterilized jars and seal immediately. Allow jars to cool at room temperature before refrigerating.

Notes

Using fresh lemon juice helps balance the sweetness and helps preserve the jam.
Test jam consistency by cooling a small amount on a chilled plate—the surface should wrinkle when pushed.
Store jam in the refrigerator once jars have cooled completely; it should keep for several weeks.

You can adjust the sugar quantity based on your preferred sweetness.
Ensure jars and lids are sterilized to prevent spoilage.

Keywords: cherry jam, homemade jam, cherry preserves, fruit jam, stovetop jam, simple jam recipe

Maya Arden

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