This jam is very easy to make. The time consuming part is pitting and chopping the cherries. No need to worry if you have cooked the jam enough - liquid fruit pectin is used.
The jam tastes delicious. What I like to do is give a jar of jam with some homemade scones in a Christmas Basket for my neighbors at Christmas time. But feel free to enjoy this jam anytime.
Christmas Jam
From Taste of Home
Ingredients
2.5 pound fresh cherries, pitted and chopped
2 cans (8 ounces each) unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained
1 package (12 ounces) frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed
9 cups sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon butter
2 pouches (3 ounces each) liquid fruit pectin
Directions
1. In a Dutch oven, combine cherries, pineapple and raspberries. Stir in the sugar, juices, cinnamon, cloves and butter. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Stir in pectin. Continue to boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.
2. Remove from heat; skim off foam. Ladle hot mixture into 12 hot sterilized half-pint jars, leaving 1/4-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight.
3. Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool.
Makes 12 half-pint jars