How to freeze pitted cherries for the winter >>> recipe with step-by-step photos

Properly frozen cherries, using the right method, retain the maximum amount of nutrients. Their piquant flavor will remain vibrant for many months. Furthermore, the berries can be used immediately in most desserts, without any prior preparation.

Nutritional value per serving

52 kcal

Proteins: 0.8 g
Fats: 0.2 g
Carbohydrates: 10.6 g

*Nutritional value is calculated per 100g of ingredients

Total time: 30 min
Time in the kitchen: 20 min
Complexity:

It will work even if you're making it for the first time. Not just this dish, but your first time ever.
Number of servings: 1

Always try to choose the tastiest and largest berries for freezing. They contain more natural acids and active compounds, meaning the natural cherry flavor will stay vibrant longer.

If frozen for a long time (more than six months), the flavor of cherries will gradually diminish due to the breakdown of chemicals. This is the same reason frozen berries from the supermarket are often so tasteless.

Recipe with step-by-step photos

How to freeze pitted cherries for the winter?

Ingredients

Servings

Cherry

1 kg

Preparation

Step 1

Rinse the cherries under hot water and let them drain in a colander in the sink, removing all twigs and leaves immediately. Remove the pits with a bobby pin. Simply insert the pin into the hole where the stem attaches and pry the pit out. Place the finished cherries in a separate plate or deep bowl.

Step 2

To cherries for the winter not subjected to excessive deformation, we place the berries at a distance from each other on a cutting board. Leave it in the freezer for 3 hours and place in plastic bags. Tie tightly and store until the right moment. freezing is better It is best suited for cherries that you plan to use to decorate desserts.

Step 3

If you need fast freezing Because we have so many berries and need to use them quickly for preserves, we'll use a quick recipe. Line the bottom of a freezer drawer with plastic wrap and layer the washed and pitted cherries in several layers. Leave them overnight.

Step 4

In the morning, transfer the berries to a large bowl and separate them as they thaw slightly. Then, place them in the freezer for 1 hour to firm up again and stop releasing juice.

Step 5

We place the cherries in bags and put them in the freezer for longer storage.

Make labels

If you have a lot of different preserves in your freezer and regularly replenish them, it's easy to forget what's been in the fridge and for how long. A small piece of paper taped to a marker or written on it will help you avoid confusion and eat berries that are approaching their expiration date promptly.

Answers to frequently asked questions

Do you need to wash cherries before freezing?

Yes. Whole berries have fairly firm flesh and skin. So, there's no risk of them being damaged by washing, like with raspberries or blackberries. And you're guaranteed to remove all dust and dirt from your preserves, so you won't have to worry about the hygiene of eating frozen cherries.

How long can pitted cherries be stored?

Berries can be stored in a freezer at a stable temperature of -18°C for up to 2 years. However, it's best to plan for about 10-12 months. If stored longer, the berries will simply lose their flavor.

How to defrost cherries?

It's best to transfer the bag of cherries to a bowl and leave them in the main compartment of the refrigerator overnight. For faster defrosting, you can use a bowl of cool water or use the appropriate microwave setting. However, keep in mind that the cherries will release juice as they defrost, so they must remain in the bag or a suitable bowl.

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