Sour Cherry Spoon Sweet

• 1/2 lb dried sour cherries
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 pinch coarse salt
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup kirschwasser
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Place the cherries in a colander under cold running water to rinse well. Transfer to a small mixing bowl and add 2 cups cold water. (The water should cover the cherries by about 1 inch.)
2. Set aside to soak for 2 hours. Drain well, separately reserving the cherries and the soaking liquid.
3. Place the cherries in a small heavy saucepan.
4. Sprinkle the sugar over the top to cover the cherries.
5. Add a pinch of salt along with the reserved soaking liquid.
6. Place over high heat and bring to a boil.
7. Lower the heat and simmer, without stirring, for 20 minutes.
8. Brush the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush from time to time to keep the sugars from crystallizing around the edges.
9. Remove from the heat and set aside for at least 2 hours.
10. Return the saucepan to high heat and bring to a boil, using a metal spoon to skim off any foam that rises to the top.
11. Insert a candy thermometer into the pot and boil for about 20 minutes, or until the mixture reaches 230u0b0F to 240u0b0F on the thermometer.
12. Stir in the lemon juice and boil for 1 minute.
13. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
14. Stir in the kirshwasser and vanilla and set aside to cool.
15. When cool, serve or transfer to a non-reactive container, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 months.

sour cherries, sugar, coarse salt, lemon juice, kirschwasser, vanilla

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/sour-cherry-spoon-sweet-314789 (may not work)