Black Forest Preserves

Ingredients

• 6 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 3 cups firmly packed coarsely chopped pitted sweet black cherries
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2 (3 ounce) packages liquid pectin
• 4 tablespoons amaretto liqueur or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

1. 1

   Prepare canner, jars, and lids.

2. 2

   In a bowl, combine sugar and cocoa. Stir well.

3. 3

   In a large stainless steel saucepan, combine cherries and lemon juice. Stir in cocoa mixture. Over high heat, stirring constantly, bring to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down.

4. 4

   Stir in pectin. Boil hard, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in Amaretto. Remove from heat and skim off foam.

5. 5

   Ladle hot preserves into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and add hot preserves if needed. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Screw band tight.

6. 6

   Place jars in canner, ensuring they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil, then process for 10 minutes. Remove canner lid. Wait 5 minutes, then remove jars.