DELICIOUS CHOCOLATE CHERRY JAM

CHOCOLATE CHERRY JAM

I found this recipe straight from my Ball Canning book.  I have looked at it for some time but just never made it.  WOW, I am so glad I finally made it because it is really darn delicious.  

Like all jam, it is something you will need to take the time to be present when making it.  You have to stir it quite a bit.  

Of course, you have to have some cherries.

You have to be careful when pitting them. 

Sometimes they hide in the cherry.

Once they are pitted put them into your pot.

Add sugar and unsweetened cocoa.

Stir really well.  I do this on a lower heat setting so the sugar melts well.

You want it to look like this.

Bring this to a rolling boil.  Add sure gel.  I chose low sugar because this recipe is a sweet jam.

Bring this to a rolling boil again and allow it to cook for 1 minute.  Ladle the jam into your sterilized jars and place into your water bath canner.  Once the water comes to a boil cook for 10 minutes.  Cut off the burner and allow to cool for another 10 minutes.  Take out and all should seal in the next 24 hours.  

CHOCOLATE CHERRY JAM

Ingredients

• 6 cups cherries, coarsely chopped
• 1 package of pectin or 6 Tbsp of Ball Classic Pectin
• 1/4 cup bottle lemon juice
• 6 cups of sugar
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

Directions

• Combine first 3 ingredients in a Dutch oven.  
• Bring mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly as not to burn.
• Mix together sugar and cocoa until blended, add all to the cherry mixture once it reaches a rolling boil.  Return mixture to a rolling boil for 1 minute.
• Ladle hot jam into sterilized jars.  Apply lids and bands to figure tight.
• Process jars in a water bath canner for 10 minutes.  Turn off heat and allow to sit another 5 minutes.
• Take out of the water and allow to sit on the container for 24 hours.  It all should seal within this time period. 

This is a super tasty jam.  It is so good I am sure it truly is sinful.  

ENJOY!!