Start by preparing jars and getting water in the canner heating. You want the canner hot, but not boiling, when the jars are ready to be processed.See full water bath canning instructions here. 1. Make a light or medium syrup. 2. Wash and pit cherries. 3. Proceed with raw or hot pack.
For a Raw Pack
Add 1/2 cup or so of syrup to the jar.
Fill half of the way with cherries, tapping jar to settle contents.
Finish filling jar.
Cover with hot syrup, leaving 1/2” headspace.
Remove air bubbles. Wipe the rim clean and place on your seal and ring. Place the jar in the canner. Proceed to fill all jars. Process according to the chart below.
For a Hot Pack
Place cherries with syrup (1/2 cup syrup to 1 quart cherries) in pot.
Heat to a low boil.
Fill jars with cherries and liquid, leaving 1/2” headspace.
Remove air bubbles. Wipe the rim clean and place on your seal and ring. Place the jar in the hot canner. Proceed to fill all jars. Process according to water bath canning instructions.
Processing time is listed below.
Notes
Processing with a Water Bath CannerPlace the jar in the warm canner. Proceed to fill all jars placing them in the canner.When all the jars are filled, bring the water in the canner to a boil. When a boil is reached that is when you'll start your timing. Process for the length of time on the chart below. Adjust for your altitude. After your time is over, turn the heat off remove the lid and allow the canner to rest for about 5 minutes. Then bring your jars up out of the water. Allow them to rest for another 5 minutes. Then remove the jars and place them a few inches apart on a thick towel to cool completely. Leave them alone for about 12 hours. When they are cooled remove the metal bands, check the seals, label the jars and store them away! Processing Times for Water Bath Canner (Raw Pack) Altitude – Pints and Quarts are Processed the Same0-1,000 ft - 25 minutes1,001-3,000 ft - 30 minutes3,001-6,000 ft - 35 minutesAbove 6,000 ft - 40 minutesProcessing Times for Water Bath Canner (Hot Pack)Altitude – Pints – Quarts0-1,000 ft - 15 minutes - 20 minutes1,001-3,000 ft - 20 minutes - 25 minutes3,001-6,000 ft - 20 minutes - 30 minutes Above 6,000 ft - 25 minutes - 35 minutes
Adapted from: The National Center for Home Food Preservation
Servings: 2to 2 1/2 pounds of cherries per a quart jar