Apple Jam Recipe
Description: 🍎 Looking for a quick and delightful way to utilize those abundant fall apples? Look no further! This homemade apple jam is not only a delicious treat for yourself but also makes for a thoughtful gift. With just a handful of ingredients and a bit of patience, you can create a flavorful jam that captures the essence of autumn in every spoonful. Plus, it’s vegan-friendly and kid-approved, making it suitable for the whole family to enjoy. The cooking time mentioned includes the processing time required for canning, ensuring that your jam is perfectly preserved for future indulgence.
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 cups | Water |
| 3 cups | Tart apples |
| 7 1/2 cups | Sugar |
| 1 1/2 tsp | Allspice |
| 2 tsp | Cinnamon |
| 1/4 cup | Lemon juice |
| 1/2 cup | Pectin |
Instructions:
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Prepare the Apples: Begin by washing and roughly chopping your tart apples. Remove any cores or seeds, and then place them in a blender with the water. Blend until smooth and well combined. Depending on the size of your blender, you may need to do this step in batches to ensure thorough blending.
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Measure the Puree: Once all the apples have been blended, measure out 5 cups of the puree. Transfer the measured puree to a large stainless steel or enamel pot. This will be the base for your jam.
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Add the Sweetness and Spice: To the pot of apple puree, add the sugar, allspice, cinnamon, and lemon juice. These ingredients will not only sweeten the jam but also infuse it with warm, aromatic flavors that complement the natural sweetness of the apples.
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Bring to a Boil: Place the pot over high heat and stir the mixture constantly until it comes to a full boil. This may take some time, so be patient and keep stirring to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
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Boil Hard: Once the mixture is boiling vigorously, set a timer and let it boil hard for 1 minute. This brief but intense boiling period helps activate the pectin in the fruit, ensuring that your jam will set properly.
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Prepare for Canning: After boiling, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the pectin until it is fully incorporated into the jam mixture. Use a spoon to skim off any foam that may have formed on the surface of the jam.
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Ladle into Jars: Carefully transfer the hot jam into clean, sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of each jar. This space allows for expansion during the canning process and helps create a proper seal.
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Process in a Water Bath: Once the jars are filled, place them in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. If you’re located at altitudes above 1000 feet, be sure to adjust the processing time accordingly for proper canning.
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Cool and Store: After processing, carefully remove the jars from the water bath using canning tongs and place them on a clean towel to cool. As the jars cool, you may hear the satisfying sound of the lids popping, indicating that they have sealed properly. Once cooled, store your homemade apple jam in a cool, dark place for optimal flavor and shelf life.
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Enjoy and Share: Your homemade apple jam is now ready to be enjoyed! Spread it generously on toast, swirl it into yogurt, or use it as a filling for pastries and cakes. Share the deliciousness with friends and family, or save it all for yourself to savor the taste of autumn throughout the year.
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 655
- Fat Content: 0.3g
- Saturated Fat Content: 0.1g
- Cholesterol Content: 0mg
- Sodium Content: 2.7mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 169.9g
- Fiber Content: 3.6g
- Sugar Content: 164.2g
- Protein Content: 0.4g
Recipe Yield: 10 half pints
This delightful apple jam recipe is a wonderful way to preserve the flavors of fall and enjoy them long after the season has passed. With its irresistible taste and versatile uses, it’s sure to become a staple in your pantry. So gather your apples, fire up the stove, and get ready to experience the joy of homemade jam-making!
