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2 Ingredient Sugar Free Cherry Jam

You don’t need more than 2 ingredients to make a sweet and delicious sugar-free cherry jam. It’s glossy, full of fruity flavor, and has that yummy jam texture. A small batch of natural cherries and nature’s sugar without pectin or preservatives can be enjoyed right away! Or, you can save it in the freezer. Cherry jam is worth spending time on.

cherry jam in glass container with silver spoon on wooden board, with a slice of bread on the side on a white plate with butter and cherry jam.

This cherry jam recipe is perfect for the cherry season

What has a name of two words and uses only two ingredients? That’s right: cherry jam! This delicious recipe with sweet cherries and a touch of agave is all you need to make a delicious topping, filling, or all-around snack. No measuring out cups of sugar or looking for more cherry recipes. You’ve got leftover cherries? I’ve got your recipe. This cherry season won’t leave you hanging.

Picking fresh fruit with the family is a fun activity, especially in the summer season. Whether you find tart cherries or sour cherries on the field, all of the cherry trees have a delicious amount of natural sugars that you can bring into your kitchen and have fun cooking with. You can have any sweet recipe but with less sugar than you’d expect if you stick with me.

The good thing with this jam is you can make it during the summer and place jars of it in the freezer. Then when it’s evening in the winter and you’re enjoying a hot cup of tea, you’ll be glad to remember that this easy freezer jam recipe is waiting for you to spread on toast. Fruit pieces will coat the warm bread as the sweetness drips off the metal spoon.

A bite will send your taste buds into a state of euphoria and you’ll be loving this jam especially then! All because you decided to combine cherries with agave and cook them together in the summer to make your own jam. How perfect is that? So many more combinations can be made from ripe fruit and a simple sweetener. Don’t limit yourself to just cherries this year!

cherry jam in a jar

What makes this jam recipe an easy recipe?

I’ll often say that my recipes are easy. The truth is, everyone’s personal level of ease is different. When I only have to cook with two ingredients, just boiling and cooling, I’ll call that an easy recipe! Generally, jam recipes are very easy to make. All you have to do is wash jars, cook fruit, and add a sweetener. Sometimes not even in that order! The easiest way of making jars of cherry jam is this exact recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does!

What is agave?

Agave is a desert plant that turns out sweet syrup similar to sugar. Agave is a great alternative in recipes that may usually require bucketfuls of sugar. When the amount of sugar is high, and I need a replacement my go-to sugar replacement is honey or agave. It’s sweet but doesn’t have the thick stevia aftertaste. 

Since agave syrup is plant-based, it is vegan (unlike honey).  It’s the perfect ingredient for sugar-free jams since it lets the natural fruit flavor shine. Added sugar is a controversial subject for many home chefs and I don’t like to use it too much. 

How do you sterilize the glass jars for the cherry jam?

When preparing the jars, you need to sterilize them. I like to boil my jars and the lids in hot soapy water so that they’re fully clean. Then I use a separate pot with water, bring it to a full boil, place the jars in, boil for a minute, then take the hot jars out. After that, I place lids into the pot and boil them for a minute as well. Drain jars by air drying and let the hot jars cool.

Once you’ve prepared the glass jars, fill them with the cooled cherry jam. Wipe jar rims so that you can put on a clean lid and have no spillage from the top of the jar. A jar with cherry jam on the outside attracts ants. You can store them in a cool, dark place if you don’t plan on freezing them.

Key Ingredients 

Two Ingredient Cherry Jam 1172x2000

Frozen cherries: Thaw frozen cherries completely in a bowl before using them and drain any excess water. You can also use v fresh cherries, make sure the pit is out.

Agave: Compared to other white sugar replacements, agave syrup has a milder and more neutral taste. This means it won’t compromise the overall color and flavor of your cherry jam recipe.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to make Sugar-Free Cherry Jam 

Step 1: Bring cherries to a boil and mash

In a medium-sized pot, bring cherries to a boil on medium-high heat. When they start to soften mash with the back of a fork or potato masher. Leave a few whole cherries if you prefer. 

frozen cherries in a saucepan

Step 2: Add in the agave

Add in agave and stir gently until well combined.

pitted cherries in a suacepam with adding agave

Step 3: Boil the cherry mixture

Boil for 1 minute then remove from heat and let it cool.

Step 4: Boil again

Bring to a boil once again and cool again.

cherry jam in a saucepan

Step 5: Serve and enjoy the jam

 Pour the jam into the prepared clean jar. Serve jam at room temperature and place upright in the freezer for future use. 

Expert Tips 

  • Always measure out your ingredients beforehand. You’ll be ready to go and time in the kitchen will zoom by when you’re actually cooking.
  • If you’re using fresh cherries, pit cherries using a cherry pitter before adding them to the saucepan.
  • If you like watery jam, you can blitz the cooked cherries with an immersion blender or food processor before adding the agave.
  • You’ll know the jam is ready when it looks dense and glossy. But, keep in mind that it will thicken even more when it cools down.
  • Use a damp towel to clean the glass jar if there is spillage. 

Recipe FAQs

Should l use fresh cherries or frozen ones? 

I don’t always use fresh cherries since they are only available in July and August in the Pacific Northwest. Frozen cherries work just as well! They are even faster and easier since frozen cherries are already pitted and ready for use.

How do I store cherry jam?

There are some jams that I make that would be best to store in jars and a warm place, but not this one. This is the type that you can store in the freezer. Then, just take it out to defrost for at least 30 minutes before you enjoy it! There have been times when I would forget to take it out on time. So, I would just reheat it in a saucepan.

What can you do with cherry jam? How else can you use homemade jam?

You can spread it on toast or on top of ice cream, stir into yogurt, and add it to your morning oatmeal, filling pies, and pastries. My husband likes to eat it with a cup of tea. My kids love to help me make these rogaliki (rugelach), a sugar-free pastry filled with jam. If you like it on bread with peanut butter, I suggest you enjoy it like that! Or, we enjoy these Crumbled Jam Bars. I like to put it on crepes like these cheese-filled crepes.

Why should l make a homemade jam?

You could get jam from the grocery store but there are benefits to making it at home. It’s convenient, you get to save and it’s easy to make. You also control the level of sweetness​ and ingredients that go into your cherry jam. And it’s satisfying and fulfilling. 

How do you know if the jam is set? 

It’s hard to tell if the jam is set when it’s hot. But there are two methods you can use. Firstly you can use the sheeting test. Place a metal spoon in the freezer when you start making your jam. Then dip the cold spoon in the jam. If it drips off on a sheet, it’s done but if individual drops fall on the sheet is not done. Secondly, you can use a candy thermometer. If the jam reaches 220 degrees Fahrenheit it’s done.

cherry with agave on bread and butter

I hope you enjoyed this cherry jam! Here are some more tasty jam recipes you might like:

Tasty Jam Recipes from Scratch to Try

If you tried this 2 Ingredient Sugar Free Cherry Jam or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and leave your 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!

red cherry jam on a wooden board with slices of white bread on the side and beige towel with black stripes on another side.

2 Ingredient Sugar Free Cherry Jam

You don’t need more than 2 ingredients to make a sweet and delicious cherry jam. Cherry jam is worth spending the time on.
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Course: Desserts, Spread
Cuisine: American, Jam
Allergy: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Total Time: 3 hours
Servings6
Calories: 71kcal
Author: Marina Rizhkov

Equipment

  • Medium-sized pot
  • Glass canning jars

Ingredients

  • 1 cup frozen cherries
  • ½ cup agave

Instructions

  • In a medium-size pot, bring cherries to a boil.
    1 cup frozen cherries
    red cherries in a silver small saucepan to cook.
  • Add in agave.
    ½ cup agave
    frozen cherries in a small saucepan with adding of agave into the cherries for jam.
  • Boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat and let it cool.
    cooked and boiled red cherry jam on a wooden board on white marble background.
  • Bring to a boil once again. Once it's cooled, it's ready to enjoy!

Notes

I usually make 4 lbs at once and save in jars for later.
  • You may use fresh cherries, make sure to take the pits out.

Nutrition

Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 52mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg
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3 Comments

    1. Agave is a natural sweetener, unlike high fructose corn syrup. Agave nectar contains purely condensed natural plant sugars. Since its’ sweeter than your table sugar, you also need to use less of it. Feel free to substitute to honey or any other sweeter that you may like.

  1. Not for everybody the Pectin is OK, but Flaxseed meal is really healthy for everyone. Flaxseed like a jelly, very good idea. I also add it in grind meat for consistency.

    Thanx