10/02/2026
Chocolate-Cherry Jam
Rich cocoa meets bright, tart cherries in this cozy, versatile jam. It’s wonderful with buttery pastries, creamy desserts, cheeses, baked goods, and even savory dishes that need a little sweet-tart sparkle.
Appetizers & Charcuterie
Baked Brie: Spoon over a wheel of brie, wrap in puff pastry, and bake until golden and melty.
Cheese Board Favorites: Try it with triple cream brie, Camembert, aged white cheddar, Manchego, fresh goat cheese, or Gorgonzola Dolce.
Meats: Pair with prosciutto, spiced salami, or your favorite cured meats.
Crackers & Bread: Serve with fig-and-olive or rosemary crisps, toasted brioche, baguette slices, or simple water crackers.
Nuts & Extras: Add Marcona almonds, toasted walnuts or pecans, fresh blackberries, or dark grapes.
Meat Pairings
Pork: A natural favorite with chocolate-cherry jam.
Pan-sear pork tenderloin or chops, then melt a spoonful of jam into the skillet with a splash of red w**e or balsamic vinegar and a little rosemary or thyme for an easy pan sauce.
Market Tip: Rub pork with unsweetened cocoa, salt, and a pinch of chipotle before searing for a smoky-sweet finish.
Chicken: An easy match for a sweet-savory glaze.
Brush it over roasted or grilled chicken, or warm it into a quick pan sauce for a flavor that feels a little like mole with a cherry twist.
Duck Breast: A special-occasion pairing.
Cherry and duck are a classic match. Warm the jam with a splash of port or red w**e, then drizzle over crisp-seared duck for a rich, velvety finish.
Beef Steak: Bold, rich, and dinner-party worthy.
For steak night, warm the jam into a simple sauce with beef stock, a splash of bourbon, and cracked black pepper.
Ribeye or Striploin: The marbling stands up beautifully to the jam’s sweet, rich flavor.
Beef Short Ribs: Stir a few spoonfuls into red w**e braising liquid near the end of cooking for a deep, cozy gravy.
Venison & Game Meats: A traditional match for bold flavors.
The dark chocolate and cherry notes help balance the richness of venison or wild boar. Try it as a glaze for seared medallions or a roast.
Salmon: A fun surprise. Cut the jam with a little vinegar, citrus, or heat and brush it on as a bold, barbecue-style glaze.
Mains
Gourmet Grilled Cheese: Spread a thin layer inside before grilling for a sweet-savory upgrade.
Brie Grilled Cheese: Buttery brie melts beautifully with the chocolate notes in the jam.
Sharp White Cheddar: A salty, tangy contrast that cuts through the sweetness of the cherries.
Desserts & Sweet Treats
Ice Cream: Spoon it warm over vanilla bean, espresso, or dark chocolate ice cream.
Cheesecake: Swirl over classic cheesecake for a bright cherry-chocolate finish.
Brownies: Swirl into brownie batter before baking.
Cookies: Use as a filling for thumbprint cookies.
Black Forest Cupcakes: Add a spoonful as a filling or topping.
Chocolate-Cherry Ganache Tart: Layer with ganache for a rich dessert.
Pastries: Tuck into cherry cheese danishes, turnovers, or stuffed puff pastry.
Breakfast & Pastries
Croissants & Biscuits: Spread over warm, flaky croissants or fresh buttermilk biscuits.
Crepes: Fill with whipped ricotta and a touch of honey, then top with chocolate-cherry jam.
Scones: Sandwich a generous layer between vanilla or chocolate chip scones.
Waffles & Pancakes: Add a dollop as a decadent alternative to maple syrup.
Yogurt & Parfaits: Stir into Greek yogurt or layer with granola.
Nut Butters: Upgrade a PB&J with almond butter and chocolate-cherry jam on toasted brioche.
Beverages
Mocktails: Stir into sparkling water with a splash of balsamic or lemon for a cherry-chocolate soda.
Try it in a Sparkling Cherry-Balsamic Soda or a Black Forest-inspired mocktail.
Cocktails: Add a spoonful to a Chocolate-Cherry Old Fashioned, Black Forest Cold Brew Martini, or Cherry-Chocolate Gin Bramble.