If you are wondering how to freeze cherries you are in the right place. Freezing cherries is incredibly quick and easy and a great way to keep them fresh all year round.
Cherries are small stone fruits with a great taste that combines a little sweet and a little acid.
You can eat these fruits raw or cooked, and they are so delicious that once you put one in your mouth, you can’t stop eating them.
It is believed to have originated between the Black and Caspian seas and transported to Europe by birds.
Greeks and Romans were the ones who later developed its production and started exporting it around the world.
Cherry trees take an average of 3 years to start production.
The picking season is usually from late May through late July, depending on the variety, weather conditions, and soil.
Cherries contain many nutrients, such as fiber, vitamins A, B, C, E, K, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Its benefits, combined with its cooking versatility and delicious flavor, make it a must-have product in our diets.
Can you freeze cherries?
Cherries are comfortable in chilled temperatures; in fact, cherries last longer when refrigerated.
If cherries are not going to be eaten within a couple of days, it is best to freeze them to use them later.
But remember that by freezing cherries, the amount of antioxidants decreases, although its texture will change.
But you can use them for baking and cooking, and you will get the same results as if you use fresh fruit.
How to freeze cherries [Step by Step]
To freeze cherries is so easy!
Wash the cherries
Start by washing your cherries by placing them in a colander under cold running water.
Let them dry. You can also use a paper towel to do this.
Remove all stems.
Pit your cherries
Pit the Cherries. Since it is most likely that once frozen, you will use your cherries for smoothies or baking; it is better to freeze your cherries pitted.
The best way to pit a cherry is to use a cherry pitter, but if you don’t have one, you can use a simple utensil that most people have in their kitchen, a pastry tip.
You can press firmly against the cherry, and surely enough, the pit will come out.
Place on a cookie sheet
Place pitted cherries on a cookie sheet lined with wax or parchment paper and place it in the freezer for at least 1 hour. In that way, you will make sure all fruit is evenly frozen.
Store
Remove from the freezer and place cherries into a plastic bag.
Label the bag with the name of the contents and date and place it back in the freezer.
FAQs About Freezing cherries
How long do frozen cherries last?
Cherries keep well in the freezer for up to a year.
Is it necessary to pit the cherries before freezing?
Since you will surely use frozen cherries to prepare smoothies, jams, or baking, it is best to pit cherries before freezing.
Do cherries freeze well?
Although frozen cherries contain fewer antioxidants and their texture changes slightly, you can still make delicious recipes with them.
Implements and equipment you need to freeze cherries
You will need:
- Colander
- Paper towel or any absorbent material.
- A cherry pitter or any utensil you will use to pit the cherries.
- Tray with wax or parchment paper.
- Freezer-safe plastic bags.
How to thaw cherries
Once you freeze your cherries, you can use them directly from the freezer, or you can thaw them.
The fastest way to thaw your cherries is by using your microwave, but there are other ways to do it.
You can thaw cherries by putting them in the refrigerator, and this technique will take an average of 2 to 4 hours.
You can also thaw your cherries by placing them in a cold water bath.
What can you make with frozen cherries?
You can use frozen cherries in many recipes:
- Cherries cobbler: This is a delightful dessert. And the smell when you bake it will take you straight to summer! That’s the great thing about having frozen cherries on hand!
- Cherry jam: The good thing about preparing this jam at home is that you can use the sweetener you want and in the amounts you prefer. And without using preservatives.
- Smoothies: Add a handful of frozen cherries, milk, yogurt to the blender. And in a couple of minutes, you have a healthy drink.
- Cherry Margarita: A drink for cocktail hour or a party, refreshing and with fruity flavor.
Want to learn more about freezing your favorites?
- Check this post about how to freeze cupcakes the right way!
- Read how to freeze asparagus easily and in no time
- Save this post about how to freeze peaches and keep it on hand
- Learn how to freeze blueberries to enjoy them year round!