Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   3      cups          pitted red cherries
   1      cup           water
   2      teaspoons     lemon juice
   3      cups          sugar
     1/4  cup           powdered pectin
     1/2  teaspoon      almond extract

Preparation:

Combine cherries, water, lemon juice and pectin in a 3-quart, microwave safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or waxed paper and bring to a boil in the microwave oven on high setting (about 8 minutes). Remove from the oven and stir in remaining ingredients. Cover; place in the microwave oven; and return to a boil on high setting (about 6 minutes). Stir and return to microwave, uncovered. Cook 3 minutes. Stir and return to microwave oven, uncovered. Cook 3 minutes or until preserves sheet from spoon. Remove from oven; skim foam if necessary. Pour hot into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space. Adjust caps. Process 10 minutes in boiling water bath. Do not attempt to process in microwave oven. Yield: about 3 half pints.