This Chocolate Cherry Jam is not just delicious on toast or in desserts. It’s also perfect for canning, making it a wonderful treat to enjoy year-round or share as a thoughtful homemade gift.
There’s something truly special about the rich, fruity flavor of cherries combined with the indulgence of chocolate.
Whether you’re an experienced home cook or just starting with preserves, this recipe is simple, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying.
If you love chocolate-covered cherries or a rich, fruity favorite dessert, this Chocolate Cherry Jam recipe is for you. Made with sweet cherries, a touch of unsweetened cocoa powder, and a simple pectin mixture, this jam is perfect for spreading on pound cake, layering in cake layers, or topping ice cream.
Canning your jam ensures that you can savor the sweet, chocolatey cherry flavor long after cherry season is over. With a few simple steps, you’ll have jars of homemade chocolate cherry jam ready for gifts, breakfast spreads, or decadent dessert toppings.
And the best part? You can preserve it through canning, making it a homemade treat that lasts long after cherry season.
Homemade Chocolate Cherry Jam: Perfect for Canning and Gifts
Canning this chocolate cherry jam using hot jars, a boiling water bath, or a steam canner ensures your homemade jam stays fresh for months. You can safely store it in a pantry or make extra to give as homemade treats to friends and family. Using half pints allows for easy gifting. It’s easy to use in variety of dishes all season long.
Canning preserves the jam’s fresh flavor and ensures you can enjoy it months after cherry season.
This recipe makes about 6 half pints of chocolate cherry preserves. It’s a sweet, rich homemade treat perfect for spreading, layering, or enjoying straight from the jar.
Decadent Chocolate Cherry Jam Recipe You’ll Love
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 6 Cups Dark Sweet Cherries fresh or frozen, pitted and coarsely chopped
- 6 Tablespoons Pectin
- 1/4 Cup Bottled Lemon Juice
- 6 Cups Sugar
- 2/3 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa
Instructions
- Prepare jars. Sterilize half pints or desired jars in a steam canner or boiling water. Ensure there’s enough water in your water canner and that the jars are hot. Remove carefully using jar tongs and place jars on a damp cloth.
- Prepare the cherries. Wash, pit, and chop cherries into smaller pieces.6 Cups Dark Sweet Cherries
- In a 4-qt. stainless steel or enameled Dutch oven add the cherries, pectin, and lemon juice. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over high heat, stirring constantly.6 Tablespoons Pectin, 1/4 Cup Bottled Lemon Juice
- Meanwhile, stir together sugar and cocoa until blended. Add all of it to the boiling cherry mixture. Return mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam, if necessary.6 Cups Sugar, 2/3 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa
- Carefully ladle hot jam into hot jars, leaving ½-inch headspace. Use a non-metallic spatula or chopstick to remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rims clean with a paper towel dampened with vinegar. Place lids and screw bands, and adjust to fingertip-tight.
- Place jar in boiling-water canner. Repeat until all jars are filled.
- Process jars. Using a boiling water bath, process jars for 10 minutes. Make sure that the water in the water bath covers the jars by 1-2 inches. I set a timer. Processing time ensures the jam is safe for long-term storage. Remove jars carefully and let cool completely before storing.
- Remove jars from the water bath and let them cool completely. Check seals after 24 hours. Check lids for seal, they should not flex when center is pressed.
- Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to a year. Refrigerate after opening.
Your Own Private Notes
Nutrition
Tips for the Best Chocolate Cherry Jam
- Use ripe, sweet cherries for the best flavor; dark cherries give the richest color and taste.
- Skim foam to create clear, attractive preserves.
- Use a food processor to break cherries into smaller pieces if you prefer smoother jam.
- Serve as a perfect topping for ice cream, pound cake, or layered cakes.
- Stir constantly while cooking to prevent scorching the cocoa.
- Gift idea. Decorate jars with ribbon and a handwritten label. This jam makes a perfect homemade gift.
Serving Suggestions
- Spread on toast, bagels, or biscuits
- Swirl into yogurt or oatmeal for a chocolatey twist
- Use as a filling for cakes, tarts, or thumbprint cookies
- Top ice cream or pancakes for an indulgent treat
- Chocolate cherry preserves layered in a cake layer or used as a topping for desserts
- Top ice cream for an indulgent treat
- Gift in beautifully decorated jars for Valentine’s Day or a special occasion
Whether you’re using Bing cherries, dark cherries, or even sour or tart cherries, this recipe works beautifully. Canning your jam in hot jars using a boiling water bath ensures it’s shelf-stable and perfect for Valentine’s Day gifts, special occasions, or holiday sharing.
My family loved this!