Sour Cherry Spoon Sweet - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 lb dried sour cherries
1 cup sugar
1 pinch coarse salt
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup kirschwasser
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preparation

Place the cherries in a colander under cold running water to rinse well. Transfer to a small mixing bowl and add 2 cups cold water. (The water should cover the cherries by about 1 inch.)
Set aside to soak for 2 hours. Drain well, separately reserving the cherries and the soaking liquid.
Place the cherries in a small heavy saucepan.
Sprinkle the sugar over the top to cover the cherries.
Add a pinch of salt along with the reserved soaking liquid.
Place over high heat and bring to a boil.
Lower the heat and simmer, without stirring, for 20 minutes.
Brush the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush from time to time to keep the sugars from crystallizing around the edges.
Remove from the heat and set aside for at least 2 hours.
Return the saucepan to high heat and bring to a boil, using a metal spoon to skim off any foam that rises to the top.
Insert a candy thermometer into the pot and boil for about 20 minutes, or until the mixture reaches 230\u00b0F to 240\u00b0F on the thermometer.
Stir in the lemon juice and boil for 1 minute.
Remove the saucepan from the heat.
Stir in the kirshwasser and vanilla and set aside to cool.
When cool, serve or transfer to a non-reactive container, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 months.