Dark Cherry Chocolate Spread

This indulgent spread combines dark cherries with cocoa and a hint of almond extract for a chocolate-covered-cherry effect. It’s decadent on toast or as a dessert topping.

Ingredients

• 4 cups pitted dark cherries
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp almond extract

Instructions

1. In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar and lemon juice. Bring to a boil and cook until cherries release their juices.
2. Stir in cocoa powder and continue cooking until thick and glossy.
3. Add almond extract at the end of cooking.
4. Fill sterilized jars with hot spread, leaving 1/4-inch headspace.
5. Process in a boiling-water bath for 10 minutes. Let cool and store.

Use this chocolate-cherry spread on waffles, spoon it over ice cream or layer it in thumbprint cookies.