The Best Cherries Preserved In Spiced Port Syrup
Cherries are the best fruit on the planet, and sadly, they have a very short season. Falling over the middle of summer, they scream Christmas to those of us living in the Southern Hemisphere. This recipe for cherries preserved in spiced port is wonderful to make for now or later. Whilst feeling very festive, they are a delicious dessert all year round.
A bowl of chilled cherries makes the perfect snack, and my December is always filled with red-stained fingers. Since they are so special and only visit us for a short season, it’s best to buy them in bulk and directly from the farm.
Cherry Time normally delivers door-to-door in selected areas in the Western Cape. They can also be found in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban. Check the bottom of their website to find all the relevant contact information. Keep that in mind for next year.
How to make cherries preserved in spiced port syrup:
The only bit of work when making these cherries in port syrup is de-pitting them. I use a metal de-pitter as seen in the pic above. This is a labour of love, and I suggest getting family and friends involved. The de-pipping can all be done in advance.
Peel 2 thick strips of zest from an orange and then juice the orange. Add it to a cup-measure jug and top up with water until it reaches 250ml (1 cup).
Use a whole vanilla bean if you have one and split it down the middle. If you don’t have one, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract at the end, when the syrup is cooked and about to be poured into the jars.
Ensure the jars are sterilised before you fill them. If you are keeping them for just a few weeks, they will store perfectly in the fridge. If you need to store them for longer, follow the process to properly preserve them by submerging them in boiling water. You can find out more here.
The cherries only need three and a half minutes once added to the boiling syrup. You want them to retain some crunch. Cook the port syrup for a further 10 minutes over low heat, allowing it to thicken. Once cooked, add the vanilla extract if you did not use a vanilla pod.
Remember to remove all the aromatics from the syrup before you add it to the cherries in a jar.
Seal the jar and turn it upside down for a few minutes to cool.
Store them in the fridge until you use them.
What to serve these cherries preserved in spiced port syrup with?
These cherries in syrup are perfect with vanilla ice cream. Make an adult boozy ice cream Sunday of dreams.
Spoon these cherries over pancakes, waffles, and ice cream for the ultimate ice cream parlour dessert.
Top your favourite cheesecake, such as Basque burned cheesecake or an easy Air Fryer loaf Basque cheesecake, with these cherries, or layer with vanilla cake, whipped cream, and Mascarpone to make a trifle. I love them even more on my chocolate loaf Basque cheesecake.
Add a cherry and some juice to a flute of bubbly to make a delicious cocktail.
Spoon them over your breakfast yoghurt to make a decadent treat.
Recipe – makes 2 half-pint jars, approx 300ml
Cherries in spiced port syrup recipe
Ingredients
- 700 grams fresh Cherry Time cherries stalks removed and pitted
- 2 thick strips of zest peeled off an orange
- The juice of 1 orange
- 155 grams granulated white sugar 3/4 cup
- 250 ml good port 1 cup
- 2-3 star anise pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 vanilla bean split and seeds removed (if you don’t have a vanilla bean, use 1 tsp vanilla extract but add this at the end)
Instructions
- Remove the stalks and pips from the cherries and set aside
- Measure the orange juice in a jug and top it up with water to reach 1 cup (250ml). Add this to a medium-sized pot along with the sugar, port, star anise, orange zest, cinnamon, and vanilla pod.
- Bring this to a boil stirring to dissolve the sugar and then add the cherries. Cook for 3.5 minutes then remove with a slotted spoon and place them in the sterilized jar.
- Cook the port syrup for 10 minutes over low heat allowing it to thicken. Once cooked add the vanilla extract if you did not use a vanilla pod.
- Remove the aromatics from the liquid and pour this into the jars with the cherries. Seal the lid and turn them upside down for a few minutes until cool.
- Store them in the fridge until you use them.
- *If you want to preserve these cherries for longer, follow the process to properly seal and boil the jars.
Notes
More Recipes You’ll Love
Homemade Edible Gifts For Christmas
The best Christmas fruit mince with cherries
My ultimate cherry Babke with Instant Pot cherry preserve.
*This post is sponsored by Cherry Time
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Can we also do this using strawberries?
Hi – I don’t think this will work with strawberries as they are more delicate and fall apart easily when cooked
Would frozen cherries work for this recipe?
Hi Kelly I think they will be too soft to work in this recipe. Fresh cherries still hold their shape.
Is that 35 minutes or 3.5
Definitely going to try this!
Hi Lesley. The time is 3.5 minutes, as written in the recipe. You don’t want to cook them for long.