Homemade Maraschino Cherries

Homemade Maraschino Cherries

Ingredients:
Pitted cherries

Brine:
2 quarts water
2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon alum

Syrup:
Water
Sugar
Lemon juice
Red food coloring
Almond extract

Directions:
1. Soak pitted cherries overnight in heated brine.
2. The next morning, drain cherries. Rinse in cold water.
3. Combine cherries, water, sugar, lemon juice, and red coloring. Heat to boiling point. Let stand 24 hours.
4. Again boil juices, pour over cherries and let stand 24 hours.
5. Bring to boil again. Add almond extract and cherries. Pack in hot sterilized jars and seal.