B C Cherry And Raspberry Preserves Recipes

BC CHERRY JAM

Steps:

• Place cherries, apple juice, lemon juice, and pectin into a large saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil, and mix in the sugar. Cook the jam at a rolling boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and skim off any foam.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the cherry jam into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 15 minutes, or the time as recommended by your county Extension agent.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

DOUBLE-CHERRY STREUSEL BARS

Steps:

• For filling:
• Combine dried cherries, tart cherry preserves, and kirsch in processor; blend to chunky puree. (Filling can be made 1 day ahead. Transfer to bowl; cover and refrigerate.)
• For dough and streusel:
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Line 13x9x2-inch metal baking pan with heavy-duty foil, leaving overhang. Spray foil with nonstick spray. Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in processor; blend 5 seconds. Add butter, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Blend, using on/off turns, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add milk and blend, using on/off turns, until mixture comes together in small clumps. Transfer 1 cup (packed) mixture to medium bowl and reserve for streusel. Blend remaining mixture in processor until large moist clumps form. Gather dough together in large ball.
• Press dough over bottom of prepared baking pan; pierce all over with fork. Bake dough until golden, about 22 minutes; cool crust 15 minutes. Maintain oven temperature.
• Add sweetened coconut flakes and sliced almonds to reserved 1 cup dough. Mix dough with fork, breaking streusel topping into small clumps.
• Spread cherry filling over baked crust. Sprinkle streusel topping over. Bake cookie until cherry filling is bubbling and streusel topping is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Cool cookie in pan on rack. Using foil overhang as aid, lift cookie from pan. Peel off foil and discard. Cut cookie lengthwise into thirds, then cut crosswise into eighths, forming total of 24 bars. (Bars can be made 2 days ahead. Store bars in airtight container and refrigerate.)

CHOCOLATE CHIP, CHERRY AND WALNUT RUGELACH

Steps:

• For dough:
• Blend first 3 ingredients in processor. Add butter and cream cheese and cut in using on/off turns until dough begins to clump together. Gather dough into ball. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces; flatten into disks. Wrap each in plastic and refrigerate 2 hours. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated. Let soften slightly at room temperature before rolling out.)
• For filling:
• Line large baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix sugar and cinnamon in small bowl. Roll out 1 dough disk on floured surface to 9-inch round. Spread 3 tablespoons cherry preserves over dough, leaving 1-inch border. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons dried cherries, then 2 tablespoons chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar and 2 tablespoons walnuts. Press filling firmly to adhere to dough.
• Cut dough round into 8 equal wedges. Starting at wide end of each wedge, roll up tightly. Arrange cookies, tip side down, on prepared baking sheet, spacing 1 1/2 inches apart and bending slightly to form crescents. Repeat 3 more times with remaining dough disks, preserves, dried cherries, chocolate chips, cinnamon sugar and walnuts. Place baking sheet in freezer 30 minutes.
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F. Brush cookies lightly with whipping cream. Bake frozen cookies until golden brown, about 40 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks and cool completely. (Can be made ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week or freeze up to 1 month.)

EASY COCONUT CHERRY BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom only of 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.
• In large bowl, place cake mix. Cut in butter, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through mix in opposite directions), until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Set aside 3/4 cup crumb mixture. Add egg to remaining crumb mixture in bowl, stirring just until blended. Press mixture in bottom of pan. Bake 15 minutes or until light golden brown around edges.
• Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix coconut, almonds and reserved crumb mixture; set aside. In small microwavable bowl, microwave preserves on High 45 to 60 seconds or until warm and slightly melted. Stir in dried cherries and almond extract. Spoon warm preserves over partially baked crust. Sprinkle with reserved coconut mixture.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until golden. Cool on cooling rack 1 hour. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.

B.C. CHERRY AND RASPBERRY PRESERVES

Steps:

• Stem and pit the cherries; you should have 4 cups.
• In a large bowl, stir together the cherries, raspberries and sugar.
• Let stand at room temperature, stirring occasionally, for 2 hours.
• Pour the fruit into a wide, shallow, nonreactive saucepan and stir in the lemon juice. Cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, for 30 to 40 minutes until the mixture looks thickened and glazed.
• Remove a table-spoon of the preserves to a small saucer and chill in the freezer for 5 minutes.
• Run your finger through the mixture; if it wrinkles, it is ready to jar.
• If it is not ready, continue cooking for 5 more minutes and repeat the test. Sterilize four 8-ounce canning jars by washing and rinsing them in the dishwasher without detergent; keep them warm in a 250 degrees F oven.
• Pour boiling water over the jar lids to soften the rubber seals.
• Ladle the hot preserves to within 1/2 inch of the rims of the jars.
• Wipe the rims and seal with the hot lids and metal bands.
• Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for several weeks.
• Or, to store longer, process in a water bath.