The best recipes for apple and cherry compote for the winter, how to cook at home and store

Many people have been accustomed to preserves like compote since childhood. Typically, the drink is made from a single type of fruit. But by combining several different ingredients, you can create a new and unusual flavor combination. For example, compote made from juicy, ripe apples with sweet and sour cherries can pleasantly surprise with its flavor and aroma. This preserve is quick and easy to prepare thanks to proven recipes.

Cooking Features

Before making compote from any fruit, it's important to know the cooking time. The most important rule is not to overcook the fruit. When the fruit is immersed in boiling water, it can be cooked for up to 5 minutes, no more. Before cooking, cherries and apples should be thoroughly washed under running water and then dried to remove excess moisture.

To preserve all the product's beneficial properties, the drink must cool gradually. Therefore, after sealing, the jars are covered with a warm blanket and cooled in the room.

To ensure there's enough drink for the whole family or a feast, it's recommended to roll it up in three-liter jars—this volume is the most optimal.

Good to know: in addition to combining apples and cherries, it is recommended to experiment with spices, for example, adding a cinnamon stick, vanilla, or lemon zest to the drink.

How to choose the right fruit for cherry and apple compote

The key to preserving compote for the winter is that it must be made from fresh, ripe fruit. It's best to buy apples and cherries at the height of the season, when they're ripe and juicy. It's recommended to wash and sort them before cooking. Cherry pits aren't always necessary; it all depends on the cook's preference.

The apples should be quartered to remove all the cores. If the apples are firm, immerse them in boiling water for 5 minutes before placing them in the jar. If the cherries are a bit tart, double the amount of sugar.

Recipes for making compote

Among the many varieties of apple-cherry compote, it's worth paying attention to simple, tried-and-true recipes. Several variations below will help even a novice cook prepare a delicious drink.

A simple recipe for the winter

The simplest and most popular method is a surefire way to treat your family and guests. To prepare, wash half a kilogram of apples and 300 grams of cherries. You'll also need about half a kilogram of sugar and 3.7 liters of water.

Recipe:

1. Apples are cut into quarters, cherries can be left with pits, removing only the stems.
2. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan, add granulated sugar, and dissolve. Add apples and cherries. Bring to a boil again and cook for exactly 2 minutes.
3. Pour the finished product into clean jars and seal with lids. Allow the compote to cool at room temperature.

Apple and cherry compote with mint

This delicious, aromatic drink with mint will bring back memories of summer. For the recipe, you'll need 400 grams of apples and 350 grams of red cherries, 3.5 liters of water, 600 grams of sugar, and a bunch of mint.

Method of preparation:

1. While the apples and cherries are being washed and sorted, the water in the pan needs to be put on the fire.
2. The apples are cut into quarters and placed in jars, alternating with the cherries.
3. Boil the sugar in boiling water until it's completely dissolved. Add a sprig of mint to each jar.
4. Pour sugar water into the jars and cover with lids for 15 minutes. This will blanch the drink.
5. Drain the water back into the saucepan, bring it to a boil, and pour it over the fruit again. Roll up. Let the preserves cool at room temperature.

Apple and cherry compote in a slow cooker

This drink can be made for everyday use or preserved in jars for the winter. To prepare it, you'll need about 1 kilogram of apples, 500 grams of cherries, 600 grams of sugar, and 2.5 liters of water.

Step by step method:

1. Pour sugar into a multicooker container and add two glasses of warm water.
2. Peel and core the apples, place them in sugar water, set the “Fry” mode and leave them in the bowl for 5 minutes.
3. Then set the “Stewing” mode for 15 minutes, add cherries and the remaining water to the bowl.
4. Bring the liquid to a boil and simmer for another 2 minutes. Pour the finished product into jars and seal, or enjoy after it has cooled.

Compote of frozen apples and cherries

You can't always make preserves in the summer. But for those who have frozen apples and cherries, you can make compote any time of year. You'll need 400 grams of apples and 300 grams of cherries, 2 liters of water, and 500 grams of granulated sugar.

Recipe:

1. Defrost the fruit first. It's best if the apples are frozen in slices; if not, slice them after defrosting.
2. Place the fruit in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Add sugar and cook for 10 minutes.
3. Remove the drink from the heat, let it cool or immediately distribute it into jars and roll up.

Recipe without sterilization

Making this delicious compote is easy. You can open a jar of it in winter to delight guests and family. You'll need about 500 grams of small White Naliv apples, 300 grams of cherries, 500 grams of sugar, and 3 liters of water.

Cooking option:

1. Preserves can be made from whole apples and cherries, which should be washed and sorted. Place the fruit in a jar, pour boiling water over them, cover with lids, and let steep for 10 minutes.
2. Drain the water into a saucepan, add sugar and bring to a boil.
3. Pour boiling sugar water over the fruit jars and seal. Cool the jars for 6-7 hours under a warm blanket.

How to store compote

With proper preparation, preserves can be stored for a long time in a cellar or basement. To prevent glass jars from exploding, they must be sterilized. Cherry-apple compote should be stored at temperatures between 2 and 14 degrees Celsius.

Before storing the jars in the cellar or basement, they can be kept at room temperature for two weeks; if no bubbles or cloudiness appear inside, the product is of good quality. If you make compote with cherry pits, its shelf life is reduced to 12 months.

Conclusion

Cherry-apple compote is a wonderful dessert drink recommended for both experienced cooks and novices. This treat is sure to please everyone—family and guests alike.