Chokecherry Syrup

"I finally found a recipe that thickens like syrup! Great on pancakes."
 
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photo by Moriah A. photo by Moriah A.
photo by Moriah A.
photo by Shannon J. photo by Shannon J.
photo by tgladd photo by tgladd
Ready In:
30mins
Ingredients:
3
Yields:
4 1/2 pints
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ingredients

  • 3 cups chokecherry juice (see first step)
  • 6 12 cups sugar
  • 14 teaspoon almond extract
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directions

  • Wash chokecherries, place in a large kettle, barely cover with water and cook, covered, for about 30 minutes till the cherries are soft.
  • Mash gently and strain the chokecherry juice through a sieve or cheesecloth.
  • Pour 3 cups juice into a large kettle; stir in the sugar.
  • Cook on high, stirring constantly.
  • Boil hard for 1 minute.
  • Remove from heat and skim foam.
  • Add extract if using (almond extract gives a stronger cherry taste).
  • To can: Pour hot syrup into sterilized hot jars to within 1/8th inch from top.

Questions & Replies

  1. Can you freeze chokecherry syrup?
     
  2. What can I do to prevent my syrup from getting sugar crystals? The syrup tastes good, I've been keeping it in the refrigerator after opening the jars.
     
  3. You mean to tell me I don't need SureJell ! I bought a box at Safeway for$3.99!!
     
  4. When you say "to can" - what method do you mean? Water bath? If so, for how long? Or seal with Parafin?
     
  5. CAN I double this recipe? Sometimes doubling creates problems and I don't want to waste all this lovely juice
     
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Reviews

  1. I did use the butter to reduce the foam and it worked! I just happened to have a leftover pancake from breakfast to do a taste test with what little syrup that didn't fit in the jar. Oh my...I really am going to enjoy this on my french toast some cold North Dakota morning!
     
  2. Excellent recipe! However, being a food scientist, I can't leave anything alone! I discovered that increasing the boil (hard boil which can't be stirred down) to 3 - 5 minutes produces a spoonable, not pourable product, but which beautifully melts out across a hot pancake and resists soaking in. My first batch crystallized over time - as honey does. You can inhibit crytallization by including 1/3 C corn syrup in the boil. If you want extra-fancy, try adding 1/8 C raspberry juice and an extra 1/8 C sugar. Be sure to add the almond extract!
     
  3. Delicious!! With 8 gallons of chokecherry juice to use, I really appreciate a great recipe like this! I added 1/4 tsp real butter at step 3 from previous experience and it REALLY helps reduce the foam to almost nothing. Great recipe, thanks so much! ~TJ
     
  4. This was WAY too sweet for me. It is syrup though. Next batch I am going to reduce the sugar. I really loved the addition of the almond extract.
     
  5. My family has passed this on for generations, but we only use 3/4 cup of sugar per cup of chokecherry juice and last year I cut it back to 1/2 cup. We simmer for 10 minutes. And then process. Once the syrup is opened we freeze it after as it will not keep in fridge. We pour over pancakes followed by a small splash of cream and enjoy! It's not a gaggy sweet syrup and nothing like the real flavour of a refreshing chokecherry syrup...no extra flavourings needed.
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

I'm a stay at home mom with 3 adorable children-an 8 year old daredevil son, a 5 1/2 year old princess and a wild little 2 year old girl! I love to cook, and like having my little helpers in the kitchen! I usually love recipes that are completely from scratch (I still love them actually) but right now my focus is on having any kind of food ready by mealtime! It's a little crazy here lately. Every summer we have a huge organic garden, apple orchard and raspberry and blueberry patches, along with a woods full of wild foods waiting for me to learn what they are so I can collect them. I'm learning about wild mushrooms first, so if anyone has any tips, let me know. We also eat wild venison which my husband and I hunt ourselves. It's our favorite meat, since it's lean, organic and cheap! Some of my hobbies are: hiking, biking, rock climbing, gardening, playing in the water with my kids, or just swinging in the hammock with a good book. I go stir crazy if I spend too much time inside.
 
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