Cherry-Blackberry Bliss Preserves
Indulge in the perfect harmony of sweet and tart with these Cherry-Blackberry Bliss Preserves. Combining the deep, rich flavors of fresh blackberries and succulent Bing cherries, this delightful spread brings a burst of summer to your kitchen all year round. Perfect for slathering on toast, topping your favorite desserts, or drizzling over vanilla ice cream and crumbled pie crust, these preserves capture the essence of nature's candy. Guaranteed to impress family and friends, these homemade delights are a testament to the joy of preserving seasonal fruit.
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
fresh blackberries
3 lbs (washed)
fresh Bing cherries
3 lbs (washed, pitted, coarsely chopped)
reconstituted lemon juice
1/4 cup (freshly squeezed or bottled)
sugar
7 cups (granulated)
dry pectin
2 (1 3/4 ounce) packages (as packaged)
unsalted butter
1 teaspoon (to reduce foam)
almond extract
1 teaspoon (for flavor)
Instructions
1
Start by washing the blackberries and Bing cherries thoroughly under cold running water.
2
For the blackberries, use a sieve or a food mill to press them through, effectively removing all the seeds.
3
Stem the cherries and remove the pits before coarsely chopping them in a food processor.
4
In a large stockpot, combine the blackberries, chopped cherries, dry pectin, lemon juice, and butter. Ensure everything is mixed well.
5
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium heat, stirring continuously for about 1 minute.
6
When boiling, add all of the sugar at once, stirring to dissolve completely before bringing the mixture back to a vigorous boil.
7
Once the mixture reaches a boil that cannot be stirred down, continue boiling for 1 full minute.
8
After boiling, take the pot off the heat and stir in the almond extract, mixing well.
9
Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds to evenly distribute the fruit.
10
Next, prepare your jars by sterilizing them according to USDA canning guidelines, ensuring you leave a 1/4-inch headspace when ladling the preserves into the jars.
11
Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth and then place the lids and screw rings on top, sealing them snugly.
12
Place the filled jars in a water bath canner, ensuring they are covered by at least 1-2 inches of water.
13
Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a hard rolling boil (do not lift the lid during this time).
14
Process the jars in the boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure proper sealing.
15
After processing, turn off the heat and remove the lid from the pot, letting it sit for about 5 minutes.
16
Carefully remove the jars from the pot and place them on a clean kitchen towel or cooling rack to allow them to seal and cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cherry-Blackberry Bliss Preserves?
They are a sweet and tart fruit spread made from fresh blackberries and succulent Bing cherries, perfect for toast, desserts, or ice cream.
What kind of cherries should I use?
The recipe specifically calls for fresh Bing cherries for their deep, rich flavor.
How many pounds of blackberries are needed?
You will need 3 pounds of fresh blackberries.
How many pounds of Bing cherries are required?
The recipe requires 3 pounds of fresh Bing cherries.
Do I need to remove the seeds from the blackberries?
Yes, use a sieve or food mill to press the blackberries through to remove all seeds.
How should I prepare the cherries?
Cherries should be stemmed, pitted, and then coarsely chopped in a food processor.
What type of lemon juice is needed?
You can use 1/4 cup of reconstituted lemon juice, either freshly squeezed or bottled.
How much sugar is in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 7 cups of granulated sugar.
What kind of pectin is used?
You should use two 1 3/4 ounce packages of dry pectin.
Why is butter added to the preserves?
One teaspoon of unsalted butter is added to help reduce the amount of foam that forms during boiling.
When is the almond extract added?
The almond extract is stirred in after the mixture has finished boiling and the pot is removed from the heat.
How long should the initial mixture boil?
Bring the fruit, pectin, juice, and butter mixture to a rolling boil for about 1 minute before adding the sugar.
How long do I boil the mixture after adding sugar?
Once it returns to a boil that cannot be stirred down, continue boiling for 1 full minute.
What is the purpose of the 5-minute wait after boiling?
Allowing the mixture to sit for 5 minutes while stirring every 30 seconds helps to evenly distribute the fruit.
How much headspace should be left in the canning jars?
Leave a 1/4-inch headspace when ladling the preserves into the jars.
How do I prepare the jars for canning?
Jars should be sterilized according to USDA canning guidelines before use.
What is the processing time for the jars?
The jars should be processed in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
How much water should cover the jars in the canner?
Ensure the jars are covered by at least 1-2 inches of water in the water bath canner.
Should I lift the lid while processing the jars?
No, do not lift the lid during the 10-minute boiling water bath processing time.
What should I do after the 10-minute processing is over?
Turn off the heat, remove the lid, and let the jars sit in the water for about 5 minutes.
Where should I place the jars to cool?
Place them on a clean kitchen towel or a cooling rack to cool and seal completely.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 12 servings.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized under Preserves & Jams.
Can I use this as a dessert topping?
Yes, it is excellent as a topping for vanilla ice cream or crumbled pie crust.
What should I use to remove blackberry seeds?
A sieve or a food mill is recommended for removing the seeds.
Is the almond extract necessary?
It is used for flavor and complements the cherry and blackberry profile, but could be omitted if desired.
What should I do before putting the lids on?
Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth to ensure a proper seal.
How many packages of pectin are needed?
Two 1.75-ounce packages of dry pectin are required.
Is this a summer recipe?
Yes, it captures the essence of seasonal summer fruits, though it can be enjoyed year-round.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 7 ingredients in this recipe.