TOP 10 recipes for freezing cherries for the winter in the freezer or refrigerator

Have you harvested a large crop of cherries and don't know what to do with them? Or do you simply love this berry and want to eat it year-round? The best way to preserve them is to freeze them. This will preserve most of the vitamins found in fresh cherries, straight from the tree. Today we'll discuss how to freeze cherries for the winter.

Can cherries be frozen for the winter?

Some people doubt the ability to freeze cherries. Some may rightfully fear that the result won't be the best: the berries will lose their flavor, shape, or even turn into mush. Of course, thawed cherries will differ from fresh ones, but if all freezing conditions are met, these differences will be so subtle that you'll hardly notice them.

Preparing the freezer

To ensure the best results, prepare your freezer before freezing cherries. Adjust the temperature: berries should be stored at -18-23°C (-64-73°F). Make sure the pre-freezing compartment is free of other foods (especially those with a strong odor). This is primarily because cherries absorb surrounding aromas during freezing. Also, the tray on which the cherries will be stored should be level to prevent them from rolling or sticking to each other.

Of course, the freezer should undergo standard cleaning: the drawers should be clean, without pieces of snow and ice on the walls.

Consider the type of container you plan to store the cherries in – this will determine how much space you need to free up for the berries.

Methods for freezing cherries at home

There are various options for freezing cherries yourself. When choosing one, base your choice on your personal preferences and how you'll use the frozen product. For example, pitted cherries are unlikely to be suitable for baking, but they're excellent for compote.

With sugar

Cherries frozen this way retain their full flavor. They're perfect for pies, vareniki, and other baked goods, and can also be added to desserts. Store these cherries only in a container.

Place the prepared pitted fruit in a single layer at the bottom of the container. Sprinkle with sugar and press lightly. Repeat the layers until there's room. Be sure to leave the sugar on top. Once the container is filled, seal it with an airtight lid and immediately store in the freezer.

With a bone

This is the easiest way to preserve red berries for the winter. Place the prepared berries on a tray lined with plastic wrap, making sure they don't touch each other. Carefully place the tray in the freezer for 1-2 hours. Place the containers or bags in the freezer for storage.

After this time, remove the berries from the freezer and quickly pour them into the prepared, cooled containers. Remove as much air as possible from the bags and seal the containers with airtight lids. If you do this correctly, you'll have an excellent preserve of whole berries that can later be used to make compote. Cool the containers or bags to prevent the cherries from melting when exposed to heat.

Pitted

Despite the simplicity of the previous method, it's best to freeze cherries pitted. If you're freezing whole cherries, you'll likely still need to remove the pits, and this is much easier with fresh cherries.

First, remove the pits from the prepared cherries. Arrange the cherries in a single layer on a tray, making sure they aren't touching, and let them rest for a while. Then, place them in the freezer for a few hours to freeze for the first time. Don't forget to let the container cool as well. After the specified time, remove the cherries, transfer them to storage containers or a bag, and freeze them for the final time.

These berries are more versatile: they can be used in baking, desserts, compotes, and also eaten as a separate dish.

In sugar syrup

Ingredients:

• sugar – 3 kilograms;
• water – 2 liters;
• cherry.

Method of preparation.

Mix the sugar with water and bring to a boil until the sugar dissolves. Cool the syrup. Place the prepared pitted cherries in containers and pour the resulting syrup over them. Let them sit at room temperature for a couple of hours. Then seal the containers (be sure to use airtight containers) and store in the freezer.

For cocktails

If you love drinking cocktails and you enjoy decorating them beautifully, then this method of freezing berries is for you.

Ingredients:

• water;
• mint;
• cherry.

Preparation.

Place a mint leaf in each ice cube tray. Add one berry at a time and cover with water. Freeze until completely frozen. After the ice cube trays are ready, remove the fruit-filled ice cubes and transfer them to storage bags.

Cherry puree

Grind the prepared cherries to a pulp using a blender or meat grinder. Add a little sugar if desired. The key is not to overdo it. Mix thoroughly and pour into small containers. Keep in mind that this product cannot be re-frozen, so try to use a separate container for each serving. Close the lid and freeze.

If you're using the puree as a pie filling, you don't even need to defrost it. Just remove the block from the container—it will thaw and release its juices in the oven.

Can frozen cherries be canned?

The answer to this question is clear: yes, you can. The only thing that might influence the decision to preserve frozen berries is their possible deformation after thawing. There are no other restrictions. Therefore, we can conclude that freezing these fruits is the best option for winter preservation. While it's true that compote or jam cannot be frozen, frozen cherries can be preserved if desired.

Further storage

The best way to store berries is in special vacuum bags with a zip closure or airtight containers. This will minimize the amount of air that can negatively impact the fruit's shelf life. Plus, you won't have to worry about syrup or puree spilling and staining your freezer.

Of course, you can also use regular containers or plastic bags. However, in this case, make sure the surface where the cherries will be stored is level and the bags are tightly sealed. Be sure to check for air pockets in the containers.

How long do frozen berries last?

If stored properly, cherries should be consumed within a year. Particular attention should be paid to whole cherries frozen with pits. Unfortunately, over time, pits release hydrocyanic acid, which is extremely harmful to anyone. For this reason, it's best to consume such fruits as soon as possible.

Don't forget to label the packaging date. Don't rely on your memory, especially if this isn't your only winter storage. This label will help you stay on top of the product's expiration date.

Defrosting rules

It turns out that defrosting cherries isn't always necessary. For example, if you're making compote or planning to use them in baked goods (except for sponge cakes and casseroles), you can use frozen cherries. Defrosting is also not necessary when adding cherries to most desserts.

But if you do have to defrost cherries, it's best to do so gradually. Remove the cherries in advance (approximately 24 hours beforehand) and place them on the top shelf of the refrigerator. Defrosting them at room temperature, and especially in the microwave, is not recommended. Remember that refreezing is out of the question, so be mindful of the quantity you use.