Description
“Reconstituted” means adding liquid back to freeze-dried fruit to bring it closer to its original form. Freeze-drying removes all the moisture from the fruit while locking in flavor and nutrients. By blending the cherries with water in this recipe, you’re essentially bringing them back to life and transforming them into a delicious syrup. The result is a bold, concentrated cherry flavor in a shelf-stable, pantry-ready ingredient.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup freeze-dried cherries
- 1 cup hot water
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Rehydrate the cherries – Place the freeze-dried cherries in a heatproof bowl. Pour 1 cup of hot water over them and sit for 10-15 minutes or until the cherries are soft and plump.
- Blend until smooth. Pour the rehydrated cherries and the soaking water into a blender or immersion blender and blend until smooth.
- Strain (optional) – If you want smooth syrup, strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove skins or pulp.
- Simmer the syrup – Pour the cherry puree into a saucepan. Add sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring often for 10 – 15 minutes or until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Cool and store – Let cool, then transfer to a jar or bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
- For a thicker syrup, simmer or stir in 1 teaspoon of cornstarch dissolved in a tablespoon of water.