Life is just a bowl of cherries. That’s a phrase from a popular song in the 1930’s. The message of the song is basically about how life is good and we should go out and enjoy it. Busy days seem to get busier at a crazy rate. It is difficult to push aside the to-do list and have some fun. I’m guilty of it for sure. These days I relish moments away from the laptop as I concentrate on simple pleasures such as making cherries in syrup. The process itself is therapeutic and my mind can settle while concentrating on the task at hand.
Cherry stains are inevitable. Well, at least they are for me. No matter how hard I try there is no way I can keep from staining my clothes. This time I wore an apron when I was pitting, cupped my hand around the pitter to reduce splatter, and did the pitting in a deep bowl. Did that help? Nope. I looked down after I was finished only to find red splotches on my shirt. Reminder to self: keep the apron on until all done and cleaned up.
This is a great way to preserve the short cherry season. The cooked cherries last for about a month in the refrigerator. Canning would extend it much longer. However, I’ve never canned anything so it is either chilling or freezing for me. I have not tested freezing them yet so I do not know how they would be once defrosted. The cherries make a wonderful topping and I see many possibilities of using them in both sweet and savory recipes.
Making cherries in syrup is an easy process. All you have to do is pit the cherries and simmer them with sugar, water, lemon peel, and vanilla bean. This recipe is for sweet cherries. It can be easily doubled if you want a larger batch.
Do you enjoy cherries? Be sure to check out these recipes: Chocolate Kirsch Cupcakes, Cherry Pecan Bundt Cake, and Chocolate Covered Cherry Cheesecake. There will be more recipes coming soon. Stay tuned!
Cherries in Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet cherries stemmed and pitted
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 ounces water
- 1/2 vanilla bean split lengthwise and seeds scraped
- 1 strip of lemon peel about 1/2- X 1 1/2-inches
Instructions
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Put all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Lower heat to medium and cook for 25 minutes, until cherries are softened and syrup is thickened.
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Remove from heat and cool completely. Discard vanilla beans and lemon peel.
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Transfer cherries and syrup to glass jar or container. Seal and chill. Use within 1 month.
Recipe Notes
A recipe for making homemade cherries in syrup. It is made with fresh sweet cherries, sugar, lemon, and vanilla. Use it for a cherry topping and more.
Recipe adapted from Cherries in Heavy Syrup on Bon Appétit.
Jamie
Saturday 28th of June 2014
This is so great... I've been wondering how to make something like this for berries but this will be just as good... or better as I love cherries!
Renee
Monday 30th of June 2014
Thanks Jamie and I saw what you recently made with cherries too and love your recipes, photos, and posts.
Stacy
Wednesday 25th of June 2014
I would spoon these over so many things like pound cake, ice cream or hot buttered toast. Or just spoon straight into my mouth.
Renee
Saturday 28th of June 2014
I have to admit that I spooned a lot of these cherries directly into my mouth. And then used them for other things too.
dina
Tuesday 24th of June 2014
this would go good on so many things!
Renee
Wednesday 25th of June 2014
I totally agree Dina and I've been using them so much I need to make another double batch.
Bill
Tuesday 24th of June 2014
I know what I'd do with those cherries...topping for a big bowl of vanilla ice cream! They look delicious, Renee!
Renee
Wednesday 25th of June 2014
Oh yes, they would be a great ice cream topping for sure.
Nancy @ gottagetbaked
Tuesday 24th of June 2014
What a fantastic recipe, Renee! I love how simple it is and how it lets the cherries shine. That deep dark red of the finished product is making my mouth water. I love cherries and eat them by the batchful in the summer when we have fresh, local cherries from the Okanagan region in BC. I can't wait to get them so that I can make this. As for the splattering on the clothes...yeah, I get pretty messy whenever I make anything with cherries. It's just a hazard of the job!
Renee
Wednesday 25th of June 2014
I agree the color of the cooked cherries is just beautiful. So rich and dark looking.