Mock Maraschino Cherries

(from Lucianolinda’s recipe box)

Source: Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Categories: canning- cherries

Ingredients

  • 2 lb. Royal Ann Cherries, not too ripe
  • 2 Tbsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. powdered alum
  • 1 quart water
  • 2 1/2 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 Tbsp. red food coloring (optional)
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. almond extract

Directions

  1. Pit cherries; place them in a glass or ceramic mixing bowl. Dissolve salt and alum in the quart of water; pour over cherries and let them soak overnight. Drain; rinse in cold water until salt taste is completely gone.
  2. Drain all water. In a glass or enamel pot, bring sugar, 1 1/2 cups water, and food coloring to a boil. Turn off heat, gently stir in cherries, coating all.
  3. Let stand for 24 hours, covered only by a single layer of cheesecloth.
  4. Return pot of cherries to boiling; turn off heat; stir in lemon juice and almond extract. Pack hot cherries into clean jars or plastic containers. Store up to 4 months in refrigerator or freeze in small containers for future use.

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