I live for the fresh produce of summer. Absolutely live for it. But I feel like this year is totally kicking my butt. Try as I might, I can’t keep up with all the season’s offerings. My regular eating schedule (and waistline) simply can’t afford the intake I desire, to partake in all the deliciousness of this too-short time of year.
This dilemma calls for some preservation. Bottling up that summer goodness. Canning, freezing, jamming…these are all great ways to put away a bit of those sublime flavors of the season. There is nothing quite so lovely on a cold, bleak, winter morning as spreading a spoonful of bright and cheery jam, made from the fruits of last summer’s sunshine.
This Sweet Cherry Freezer Jam with Lime is just that. Pure summer sunshine. And it’s so very easy to make.
The deep ruby color is stunning, with tiny little bits of fruit throughout. And its big cherry flavor leaves no doubt as to the fruit’s authenticity. It’s as though you’re actually popping giant dark cherries into your mouth.
And the lime…I love it! It’s bright and just a bit sassy. The perfect little way to jazz up the sweet cherries.
Hatti baked up a batch of our favorite honey cornbread muffins as we waited to test the jam. And can I just say…those muffins and this sweet cherry jam are amazing together!
Freezer jam is so easy to make. Just follow a few important tips:
Use firm perfectly ripe fruit for best flavor and set. Inferior fruit (not ripe or over ripe) will produce inferior jam.
Measure ingredients exactly. Altering recipes or ingredients could cause a set failure.
Yes, this recipe calls for alot of sugar, but don’t alter the amount. If you want to use less sugar, look for SURE-JELL for Less or No Sugar Needed Recipes in the pink box.
When filling prepared containers with finished jam, leave ½” at top for expansion during freezing.
The finished product will not be as firm as a processed jam. It will be more loose, with a very spreadable consistency.
Because this jam is not cooked, it must be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. It will be good for about a month in the refrigerator, so store your jam in smaller containers (1 to 2 cups are great sizes!) that will be used up faster. Keep one jar in the refrigerator and the rest in the freezer for later.
Sweet Cherry Freezer Jam with Lime
Yield: 5half-pints
prep time: 30 minutesmins
cook time: 15 minutesmins
total time: 45 minutesmins
This Sweet Cherry Freezer Jam with Lime is just that. Pure summer sunshine. And it’s so very easy to make.
Be sure to first read through my freezer jam tips in this post, right before the recipe. Then wash 5 half-pint (1 cup) plastic containers and lids with hot water and dish soap. Rinse and dry thoroughly.
In a very large bowl, combine chopped cherries, lime juice, lime zest, and sugar. Stir to combine. Let stand 10 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes.
In a small saucepan over high heat, stir together water and pectin. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil and stir for 1 minute. Add pectin mixture to cherry mixture and stir constantly for 3 minutes, or until sugar is dissolved and no longer grainy. If a few sugar crystals remain, that’s ok.
Immediately fill containers to within 1/2” of container tops. With a damp paper towel, wipe off the edges of containers. Immediately cover with lids. Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Jam can now be used, stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 month, or frozen for up to 1 year. Thaw in refrigerator before using.
Notes
Basic sweet cherry freezer jam recipe from SURE-JELL, with adaptations from a farmgirl’s dabbles.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment below. And share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #afarmgirlsdabbles or tag @farmgirlsdabble!
I Love making freezer jam Brenda! I think the addition of lime in this recipe is a great choice for flavor, Can’t wait to make this. I’ve been popping sweet cherries in my mouth all summer. Thanks for this beautiful recipe!
I’ve been eyeing a cherry pitter on Amazon all summer … I think this recipe just may put me over the edge and give me the reason to buy it! I LOVE cherry and lime together. We make cherry-lime sorbet in our Vitamix all the time. Think I definitely have to make this jam.
Seriously, Liz. Just make ONE batch. It doesn’t take much time or effort (though this cherry one has a bit more labor since you have to pit and chop the cherries…you just mash berries). You’ll see how easy it is, and you’ll want to bottle up every single fruit you can get your hands on!! xo
This sounds so good, I love the lime!! Plus, I have been want to make my own jam for a while now and I think starting with cherry is a good idea since I have been loving them all summer long. So good!
Cherry and lime! Such a great combo! I’ve never made freezer jam before, but I think I should start!
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I love this so much! I have some peaches I want to do this with! Thanks for the inspiration!
I’ve never made freezer jam before! I’ve done the regular canning, but this just sounds like fun, and I loooovve ooey gooey syruppy jams. Beautimus!
Oh, this sounds so good! I’m having the same problem keeping up with summer produce this year. So much good stuff…so little time :-)
YUM! Love this idea – summer in a jar! Hatti’s muffins look great, too!
Your jam is so pretty, I love the cherry-lime combo. Thanks for linking to my scones!
I Love making freezer jam Brenda! I think the addition of lime in this recipe is a great choice for flavor, Can’t wait to make this. I’ve been popping sweet cherries in my mouth all summer. Thanks for this beautiful recipe!
I love freezer jam and the cherry and lime together sounds fantastic!
Summer produce is the best! And I love what you did hear. I’m sure I could slather this jam on everything and anything!
I’ve been eyeing a cherry pitter on Amazon all summer … I think this recipe just may put me over the edge and give me the reason to buy it! I LOVE cherry and lime together. We make cherry-lime sorbet in our Vitamix all the time. Think I definitely have to make this jam.
I have got to do this before summer’s pretty produce goes out of season! What a great idea! I bet these would make great gifts, too.
Next week I want to make some of this for your Dad. You know how he loves his
jams and jellies. :)
This sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing! :)
Do you think this would work with regular water bath canning? It sounds delightful!
I’ve never tried making freezer jam. I’ve got to get on that! Such a great flavor!
This sounds delicious! I love cherry jam – can’t wait to try with lime!!!
I never made strawberry jam – I chickened out!!! I want this!!
Seriously, Liz. Just make ONE batch. It doesn’t take much time or effort (though this cherry one has a bit more labor since you have to pit and chop the cherries…you just mash berries). You’ll see how easy it is, and you’ll want to bottle up every single fruit you can get your hands on!! xo
Oh my goodness….this looks delicious!!!
This sounds so good, I love the lime!! Plus, I have been want to make my own jam for a while now and I think starting with cherry is a good idea since I have been loving them all summer long. So good!