Amaretto Cherries: Homemade & Better Than Store-Bought
Amaretto cherries made from scratch, boozy, delicious, and inexpensive. A perfect addition to lots of desserts and even savory dishes.
Servings: 5 -6 jars
Calories: 500kcal
Ingredients
- 3.3 lbs sweet cherries Note 1
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup Amaretto liqueur
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼-½ almond bitter almond flavor Note 2
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.3.3 lbs sweet cherries + 1½ cups granulated sugar
- Add lemon juice, Amaretto, vanilla extract, and bitter almond flavor. Continue cooking for 10 more minutes. Remove the foam.2 tablespoons lemon juice + 1 cup Amaretto liqueur + 1 teaspoon vanilla extract + ¼-½ almond bitter almond flavor
- Store Amaretto cherries: 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
- Stone the cherries: It’s preferable to use a cherry pitter (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab) - it’s the easiest and fastest method and keeps the cherries whole with just one hole in the center.
- Almond essence: 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