Sour cherry spoon sweet is one of those traditional Greek flavors that holds something more than just fruit and sugar. It carries the deep red color of ripe sour cherries, the aroma of summer, and that unique balance between sweetness and the fruit’s characteristic tartness.
Spoon sweets have always been connected with Greek hospitality. In many Greek homes, a small jar of homemade sweet was always ready for an unexpected visit or a beautiful moment during the day. Served on a small dessert plate with a glass of cool water beside it, it was and remains a simple yet special treat.
And sour cherries do not stop at spoon sweet. Their fragrant syrup is also transformed into a wonderful sour cherry drink, a refreshing summer beverage with its beautiful red color and sweet-tart flavor that that adds a special touch to the warm days of summer.
With just a few simple ingredients and a little patience, sour cherries are transformed into a homemade sweet with rich syrup and a unique aroma. A treat that deserves a place in every kitchen and is best served the traditional way: with a small spoon and a beautiful moment of relaxation.
Easy
Total: Aprox. 30 min
Α medium sized jar
Ingredients
- 1 kg large cherries, pitted
- 1200 g sugar
- 200 g water (the sour cherries will release enough of their own juices)
- 2/3 tsp citric acid/ sour salt, dissolved in a little water
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
How to
- Remove the pits from the sour cherries and weigh them.
- Place the pits in a bowl, add half of the water, and then strain. This way, we will extract extra color and flavor from the pits.
- In a bowl, place the sour cherries in layers, alternating with the sugar. Add the water infused with the sour cherry pits, cover the bowl, and leave it in the refrigerator for 10–12 hours.
- Transfer the cherries and their liquid to a pot, add the remaining water, and boil for 10–15 minutes, removing any foam that forms on the surface.
- Leave the sweet in its syrup for 8–10 hours. Occasionally, gently shake the pot so that the cherries mix naturally with the syrup.
- Then boil again for about 10 minutes, or until the syrup reaches the desired consistency.
- During the final boil, add the souring agent (citric acid) dissolved in 1 tablespoon of water, along with the lemon juice. Stir very gently.
- Transfer the sour cherry spoon sweet into sterilized jars and store in a cool, dry, and dark place.
Note from Greek jar:
Sour cherry spoon sweet can also be made using a 1:1 ratio of sour cherries to sugar. In this recipe, we use a higher amount of sugar to create more fragrant syrup, which can also be used to prepare a refreshing sour cherry drink.