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    Where Is My Spoon > Recipes > Preserves and Canning

    Amaretto Cherries

    Published by: Adina July 17, 2020 ยท Last modified: July 10, 2024 6 Comments
    Jump to Recipe
    pinterest image with title amaretto cherries.

    The Amaretto cherries are made from scratch; they are boozy, delicious, and inexpensive. They are a perfect addition to many desserts and even savory dishes.

    preserved cherries in amaretto in a small jar seen from above

    Considering how expensive it is to buy a jar of Amaretto cherries, you will not believe how simple and cheap this recipe is. All you need is some Amaretto liqueur, fruit, sugar, and some spices. You will pay less for the whole batch than you would pay for one jar of these boozy cherries in the store.

    And what a nice thing to add to any Christmas present later this year! Preserve now and make a present of it (stress-free) in winter. Or you could try other drunken cherries like the Cherries in Kirsch or the Red Wine Cherries.

    Jump to recipe
    • Other reasons to make your own Amaretto cherries
    • Recipe ingredients
    • How to make Amaretto cherries?
    • How to store?
    • How to use the cherries?
    • More preserved cherries
    • Recipe
    • Amaretto Cherries

    Other reasons to make your own Amaretto cherries

    • This is a great way of preserving cherries if you happen to have a tree in the garden.
    • They have a long shelf life, so if you already have that bottle of liqueur, you can make quite a few jars.
    • These homemade Amaretto cherries contain no additives or weird stuff.
    • You have a ready-made dessert or gift waiting in your cellar or pantry. Just open a jar whenever you feel like it and spoon some cherries and syrup over ice cream, vanilla or rice pudding, a slice of cake, and so on.
    amaretto cherries in a jar with a vintage spoon

    Recipe ingredients

    Sweet cherries: I always use heart cherries (we have a large tree in the garden). They are very dark, very sweet, really the best I have ever eaten. More common sorts like Bing or Picotta are also perfect for this recipe.

    Amaretto is a sweet, bitter almond-flavored liqueur originating in Saronno, Italy. Actually, the most common brand you can buy is called Disarono. You can definitely use other Amaretto brands; there are quite a few from which you can choose.

    Bitter almond flavor: Be careful with the dosage. I ruined a couple of cakes and desserts because I added too much bitter almond essence, which can be very domineering.

    If using essence, 3-4 drops will be enough.

    If using extract, about ยผ to ยฝ teaspoon, to taste.

    See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    boozy cherries glossy and shiny in a jar

    How to make Amaretto cherries?

    stoning and cooking cherries for preserving
    • Step #1: Wash and dry the cherries.
    • Step #2: Stone the cherries using a cherry pitter; this way, they will remain whole with just the hole in the middle.
    • Step #3: Place them into a large pot and gently mix with the sugar. Bring to a boil and cook gently until the sugar dissolves completely and the liquid turns syrupy. However, don't overcook it; the syrup should be light and not become solid when cool. Add lemon juice, alcohol, vanilla extract, and bitter almond flavor. Continue cooking for 10 more minutes. Remove foam.
    • Step #4: Divide the cherries between the sterilized jars and cover them completely with the liquid. Seal well and let cool.

    How to store?

    Store in a dark, cool place like a cellar or pantry. Let steep for 3-4 weeks before serving; the flavors will deepen.

    Once you open a jar, keep it refrigerated.

    They will keep for a long time; I still have some from last year, and they are great.

    How to use the cherries?

    • Add them to desserts, for instance, to ice cream, semolina, or rice pudding.
    • Flavor homemade ice cream with the syrup and add some finely chopped cherries to it as well.
    • You could add some to muffins and cakes, use it to make cake fillings, or decorate cakes, such as this Cherry Bakewell Cake.
    • The boozy liquid can be used to moisten cake bases.
    • Add some syrup to cocktails and decorate them with a cherry, for instance.
    • Serve as an accompaniment to a cheese platter or with roasted duck breast.
    seeing preserved cherries in alcohol through the jar

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      Candied Cherries

    Do you like this recipe?

    Please leave a good rating in the recipe card below. Stay in touch through social media: Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram. Donโ€™t forget to tag #whereismyspoon when you try a recipe!

    Recipe

    preserved cherries in amaretto in a small jar.

    Amaretto Cherries

    Amaretto cherries made from scratch, boozy, delicious, and inexpensive. A perfect addition to lots of desserts and even savory dishes.
    4.75 from 12 votes
    Print Pin Share GrowSaved! Rate
    Course: Preserves and Canning Recipes
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
    Servings: 5 -6 jars
    Calories: 500kcal
    Author: Adina
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    Ingredients 

    • 1500 g/ 3.3 lb sweet cherries
    • 300 g/ 10.6 oz/ 1 ยฝ cups granulated sugar
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 240 ml/ 6.8 fl.oz/ 1 cup Amaretto liqueur
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • ยผ โ€“ ยฝ teaspoon bitter almond flavor Note

    Instructions

    • Stone the cherries with a cherry pitter. Place them in a large heavy-bottomed pot. Add the sugar, stir gently, and bring to a boil. Cook gently for about 15 to 20 minutes, the liquid should start to look like a light syrup.
    • Add lemon juice, alcohol, vanilla extract, and bitter almond flavor. Continue cooking for 10 more minutes. Remove the foam.
    • Divide the cherries between the sterilized jars and cover them completely with the liquid. Seal well and let cool. Keep in a dark cool place and let steep for about 3-4 weeks before serving. Once you open a jar, keep it refrigerated.

    Notes

    Always use to taste, too much can be overpowering. If using bitter almond essence (which is stronger), start with 3-4 drops and only add more (if necessary) after tasting.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1jar | Calories: 500kcal | Carbohydrates: 106g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 97g
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @adinabeck or tag #WhereIsMySpoon!

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    Comments

    1. Laurie Yankosky says

      July 18, 2024 at 10:15 pm

      How do you seal them? Will they seal with a lid and ring and no hotwater bath?

      Reply
      • Adina says

        July 19, 2024 at 6:38 am

        I use jars with lids, no rings. I don't can these in waterbath, alcohol preserves very well. Just make sure the jars and lids are very clean and if you notice that one jar hasn't sealed (you would be able to push it with the finger and it would make a plop sound) keep that one in the fridge and eat it first.

        Reply
    2. Tella says

      June 09, 2024 at 10:37 am

      Recipe states it makes 6 jars. What si,e jars?

      Reply
      • Adina says

        June 10, 2024 at 6:37 am

        Hi Tella. About 250-300 ml each.

        Reply
    3. Rebecca says

      November 29, 2023 at 6:51 pm

      This sounds so good and thank you for sharing it. I have a family member that is allergic to lemon. Can it be omitted?

      Reply
      • Adina says

        November 29, 2023 at 9:21 pm

        You can leave it out. It lifts the flavour, but the cherries will still be delicious without it.

        Reply
    4.75 from 12 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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