Spicy Cherry Pepper Jelly
This vibrant Spicy Cherry Pepper Jelly is a unique twist on traditional fruit preserves, featuring the delightful sweetness of cherry juice balanced with the fiery kick of crushed hot peppers. Perfect for adding a gourmet touch to cheese boards, drizzling over meats, or simply enjoying on toast, this jelly is sure to impress your friends and family. Made from frozen cherry juice concentrate, it's a convenient and delicious way to preserve the summer's harvest. Follow this easy recipe to create 7 jars of savory-sweet goodness that you'll want to share!
7
Servings
86
Calories
5
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen Cherry Juice Concentrate
11 1/2 ounces (thawed)
Granulated Sugar
4 1/2 cups (measured)
Fruit Jell Pectin
1 package (1 3/4 ounces) (opened)
Water
3 cups (measured)
Crushed Hot Peppers
2 cups (prepared)
Instructions
1
In a large 6-8 quart saucepot, measure and add the thawed cherry juice concentrate.
2
Pour in 3 cups of water and stir the mixture well to combine.
3
Add the crushed hot peppers to the pot and allow them to sit in the mixture for 1 hour to infuse their spiciness.
4
While the peppers are infusing, measure out the granulated sugar into a separate bowl and set it aside for later.
5
After an hour, stir in the Fruit Jell pectin into the juice mixture and mix until combined.
6
Heat the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil while stirring constantly.
7
As soon as it reaches a full boil, quickly stir in the reserved sugar and continue to boil.
8
Maintain a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down and cook for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly.
9
Remove the pot from the heat and skim off any foam that has formed on the surface of the jelly.
10
Immediately ladle the hot jelly into sterilized 8-ounce glass jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of each jar.
11
Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes to ensure they're sealed properly.
12
Let the jars cool completely before storing them in a cool, dark place.
Nutrition Information
21g
Carbs
0g
Protein
20g
Sugar
1mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Cherry Pepper Jelly?
Spicy Cherry Pepper Jelly is a savory-sweet preserve made from cherry juice concentrate and crushed hot peppers, perfect for cheese boards and meats.
How many jars does this recipe produce?
This recipe yields approximately seven 8-ounce glass jars of jelly.
What are the primary ingredients for this jelly?
The main ingredients include 11.5 ounces of frozen cherry juice concentrate, 4.5 cups of sugar, 1 package of Fruit Jell pectin, 3 cups of water, and 2 cups of crushed hot peppers.
Do I need to thaw the cherry juice concentrate before starting?
Yes, the cherry juice concentrate should be thawed before measuring and adding it to the saucepot.
How long should the peppers infuse in the juice mixture?
The crushed hot peppers should sit in the cherry juice and water mixture for exactly 1 hour to properly infuse their spiciness.
When do I add the pectin?
After the peppers have infused for an hour, stir the Fruit Jell pectin into the juice mixture before you begin heating it.
At what point should the sugar be added?
The sugar should be added quickly once the juice and pectin mixture reaches a full rolling boil.
How long must the jelly boil after adding the sugar?
Once the sugar is added and the mixture returns to a full rolling boil, it must boil for exactly 1 minute while stirring constantly.
What is a full rolling boil?
A full rolling boil is a boil that continues to bubble vigorously even when the mixture is being stirred.
Should I remove the foam from the top of the jelly?
Yes, after removing the pot from the heat, you should skim off any foam that has formed on the surface for a clearer jelly.
How much headspace is required when filling the jars?
You should leave about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of each 8-ounce jar.
How do I process the jars for long-term storage?
Process the filled and capped jars in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes to ensure a proper seal.
What size pot is recommended for this recipe?
A large 6-8 quart saucepot is recommended to prevent the mixture from boiling over.
Can I use different types of hot peppers?
Yes, you can use your choice of hot peppers to adjust the heat level, provided you maintain the 2-cup measurement.
How should the finished jelly be stored?
Store the sealed jars in a cool, dark place once they have cooled completely.
Can I reduce the amount of sugar in this recipe?
It is not recommended to reduce the sugar as it is necessary for the pectin to set correctly and for preservation.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Based on the ingredients listed (juice, sugar, pectin, water, peppers), this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
What is the serving size for this jelly?
While a specific serving size isn't defined, the recipe contains approximately 86 calories and 20g of sugar per standard serving.
Does this jelly contain any fat or protein?
No, this Spicy Cherry Pepper Jelly contains 0g of fat and 0g of protein.
What can I serve with this jelly?
It is excellent on cheese boards, as a glaze for meats, or spread on toast and crackers.
Can I use fresh cherry juice instead of concentrate?
This specific recipe is designed for the intensity of frozen concentrate; using fresh juice would require adjusting the water and pectin ratios.
Why did my jelly not set?
Jelly may fail to set if it didn't reach a full rolling boil, if the boil time was inaccurate, or if the measurements were not precise.
Is the Fruit Jell pectin necessary?
Yes, the pectin is the thickening agent that allows the liquid juice to turn into a firm jelly.
How long does the jelly need to cool before storage?
The jars should cool completely, typically for 12 to 24 hours, before being moved to storage.
Is there a lot of sodium in this recipe?
No, this jelly is very low in sodium, with only 1mg per serving.
Can I double this recipe?
It is generally recommended to make one batch at a time, as doubling jelly recipes often results in a poor set.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 21g of carbohydrates.
Can I use this as a gift?
Yes, the vibrant color and unique flavor make these 8-ounce jars excellent homemade gifts.
Do I need to stir the mixture during the infusion hour?
The instructions suggest letting them sit; stirring is not explicitly required until you add the pectin.
What is the total number of ingredients needed?
There are 5 total ingredients: cherry juice concentrate, sugar, pectin, water, and hot peppers.