Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Michelle's Homemade Strawberry Jam

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Years ago my girlfriends and I decided we would try our hand at making homemade strawberry jam.  We went to the local strawberry stand and bought up flats of fresh strawberries, brought them home then stemmed and washed them.  Next came the blender to make crushed strawberries and away we went.  It was actually so very easy and super tasty that we never went back to store bought.

I have switched to a Lower Sugar Sure Jell that I've been using for at least 10 years now.  I also started buying the strawberries in the freezer section of Costco where they are already washed and stemmed.  Don't judge!  They are picked at their peek and flash frozen for the best flavor.  I can't even bring myself to buy strawberry jam at the store and haven't in many a years.
Now whenever we are running low my girlfriend and I just lend a jar to each other until whoever makes it next can make a batch.

This is honestly the best strawberry jam I have ever tasted!  I have always said, we don't necessarily make our own jam because it's cheaper, but because it tastes SOOOO much better!  I would suggest you give it a try at least once and see if you would ever go back to store bought - I Dare you!

Here's what you need:

6 cups crushed strawberries, I use my emulsion blender or a regular blender to crush the berries but leave small bits of fruit (measured after they are crushed)
4 cups sugar, MUST BE REAL WHITE SUGAR - NO SUBSTITUTES
1 box Sure Jell lower sugar premium fruit pectin, pink box
1/2 tsp. butter or margarine
4 pint sized jars, sterilized, and they need to be hot when the jam is finished cooking
4 lids and seals
Tongs for hot jars and seals
wide mouth canning funnel
ladle or measuring cup with a spout

*** Please follow the directions that come with the pectin for the best results***

This is how I make my jam.

I start by washing all jars and lids (rings) in the dishwasher and I time it so the dishwasher is finished right as I start the cooking process so they are still very hot when the jam is cooked.  I have also pre-washed the jars and when I start cooking the jam I place them in a large pan and cover with boiling water (not turned on).  They will sit in the hot water until each jar is ready to use.  

**You never want pour HOT jam into a cold jar; it could break and you could get very hurt and/or burned.  

Bring a small pot of water (a couple of inches high) to a boil and toss in the seals then turn off the heat and let sit until needed.  This will soften the seal and get it ready to use.

Measure the EXACT amount of sugar into a bowl and set aside.

Place 1/4 cup of the pre-measured sugar into a small bowl and add the fruit pectin. Stir to combine and set aside.

Measure the exact amount of strawberries into a 6 - 8 quart saucepan.  Stir the pectin mixture into the strawberry puree in the pan.  This takes a few minutes to really completely stir into the fruit.  You have to smush the spoon against the sides with any lumps you find.  Add the butter or margarine to help reduce foaming.
 
Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stirring constantly.  This will be very hot so I use a very long spoon for stirring.  Be very careful because it will be bubbling and spitting at you.
 
Add the sugar and continue to stir, stir, stir quickly until it is all dissolved (the sugar will reduce the temperature so the boiling will stop for a short time).  Return to a full rolling boil and boil for EXACTLY 1 minute, stirring constantly.  
 
Holy Moly it's like boiling lava but much prettier :)
Once the 1 minute is up, remove from heat and skim off any foam into a small dish to discard.
 
Moving quickly but safely, remove two jars from the dishwasher or pan of hot water (dumping the water out first) using either a hot pad or tongs so you don't get burned, and set on a cutting board.  Place the wide mouth funnel inside the jar and carefully fill with hot jam using a ladle or measuring cup with a spout.  Fill to within 1/8-1/4" from the of top of each jar.
 You don't see a funnel because I couldn't find mine when I was making this batch, but I do use one.
  
Quickly wipe the jar rim and threads with a clean damp wash cloth making sure to remove any sign of jam so that the seal works correctly.
Cover with a seal and screw the lid on tightly.  Repeat with the rest of the jars until finished. I always turn my jars upside down and leave for 5 minutes then turn right side up and let stand at room temperature for 24 hours.  - I'm not sure where I got this method but I've been using it for years and have never had a problem. 

I would suggest if you've never canned anything before PLEASE FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS THAT COME WITH THE PECTIN.  The rest of you, I know everyone has their own way of canning so proceed as you will.
 
When the jam starts to cool in the jars you will hear them POP which signals that they are vacuum sealed.  Seals can also be checked (after jars cool completely) by pressing the middle of the lid with your finger.  If lid springs back the seal didn't work and refrigeration is needed.  Sealed jars can be stored in a cool, dry, dark place for up to a year.  

Refrigerate any jars that don't seal or any that you have opened.

It is always good to test the seals after the jars have cooled by unscrewing the lids and GENTLY press up on the seal with a finger.  It should be very tight. If for some reason it lifts the seal didn't work and the jam needs to be refrigerated.  Opened jam can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, if it lasts that long :)
Whew....Sure seems a lot more simple when I'm making it rather than explaining it ;)

 
Now isn't that a beautiful bowl of bright red strawberry jam.
Here's what it looks like on my Buttermilk Skillet Biscuits. This jam also makes the most delicious PB&J's.
I really hope you give homemade jam making a try.  It's really not that hard and once you get the hang of it, you'll never go back to store bought.

Serves - 4 pints

Enjoy!
~Hugs~
Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Michelle's Homemade Strawberry Jam 


28 comments:

  1. I have never made jam before but this sounds so delicious, I might need to give it a try!

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    Replies
    1. Shannah,
      It really is delicious! And even though the directions seem really long. It's super simple to make :)
      Michelle

      Delete
  2. Ahhhh! My mom makes this jam and it is THE BEST hands down! We love it on Toast!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Jen. Nothing beats homemade jam in my opinion :) Mmmm,, great on homemade biscuits too :)

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  3. I agree, it's not always cheaper to make homemade...but it just tastes soooo goood! I love making strawberry freezer jam!

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    Replies
    1. Lori Ann,
      I've never tried the freezer jam, do you still cook it first? How long does it last? I may have to give this a try. Thanks for stopping by.
      Michelle

      Delete
  4. okay i needed to see this, because i've been wanting to make jam so badly! thank you for the directions...i love your blog and am your newest follower! come follow along at chaseandem.blogspot.com XO

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    Replies
    1. Emi,
      Thanks for visiting and following along. Jam is actually easy to make and so delicious you'll never go back to store bought.
      Michelle

      Delete
  5. Yum! This looks really good! I've never made homemade jam and I've always been curious about it. Perfect post! I really like your blog and I'm following you now :)

    I would love for you to swing by my blog and check it out! I do various kinds of photography and I just put up a post about a quick, 10-second, professional-looking cake decorating tip! Please follow if you'd like! I would really appreciate it and would love to hear from you!

    neha
    neha made

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neha,
      Thanks for stopping by. Thanks for following along too. Try this jam, it's super easy.

      Michelle

      Delete
  6. This looks really good, Michelle. The color is amazing!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Julie :) My favorite thing about the jam is how beautifully RED it is when first made.
      Michelle

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  7. I love home made jam. When you read the ingredients of shop bought the fruit content is not very high at all. Instead they use a load of chemicals to bulk up. Your's look smashing. I'll have some on home made bread please....just a slice or 3!!

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    Replies
    1. I totally agree. I can't stand when I don't even know what some of the ingredients are, lol. Thanks for stopping by. I'll bring the jam if you bring the homemade bread :)

      Delete
  8. Thank you for this tutorial. making my own jam has been on my "bucket list" for some time. Would you come link this up (and another recipe of your choice) to my recipe link up? I'd be so honored if you did! http://www.katieslanguagecafe.com/2012/10/french-cuisine-friday-recipe-link-up-6.html

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    Replies
    1. Katie,
      Thanks for stopping by. Give jam making a try it's really simple. I'll be by your blog in a little bit.
      Michelle

      Delete
  9. This looks great...I need to get up the courage to do some canning!

    I am visiting from Marvelous Mondays...I am co-hosting this week! Thanks for linking and please take a look at my blog, MilwaukeeKitchen.blogspot.com to see all that happens in my Milwaukee Kitchen!

    Sara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sara,
      Thanks for stopping by. Definitely give canning a try. It's really not hard. I'm heading your way now.
      Michelle

      Delete
  10. Love homemade jams! They really are so much better than store bought! My kids for some reason, don't like jam/jelly, so I have an abundance for me. I went a little crazy this summer, so I've got strawberry/blueberry, strawberry/rhubarb, strawberry and freezer strawberry. Yep, I'm set for awhile, lol.

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  11. Hi Michelle,
    That sure is pretty Jam, we just love Strawberry Jam and usually put up about 50 to 75 jars of jam every year, depending on how productive our berries are. Hope you are having a great fall weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  12. My favorite jam has always been strawberry. Just dropping in from Saturday Show & Tell to check out this recipe:) I am pinning!
    Now following via Linky, Facebook, pinterest and twitter:)

    Have a super great week!

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  13. I've never made jam with normal white sugar. This would make it so much easier, I need to try that! It sounds wonderful!
    Thank you for sharing this on Wednesday Extravaganza.
    Come back tomorrow to vote and maybe win a spot on my Wall of Fame!

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  14. Your instructions AND photos are great! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday. Please come back to VOTE on Sunday!

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  15. Mmmm.... my "boys" would love this on their toast! Or off a spoon. Lol Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week & come back soon ~EMM

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  16. I saw this link on Sundae Scoop Link Party at I Heart Naptime. Had to stop by and check out this amazing recipe. I'm drooling!

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  17. I always get excited when some of the ladies at church share their home made jelly...it is so much better than the store bought! I guess I should just make my own now that you have shared how easy it is:-)

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  18. I love homemade jam and yours looks very tasty! I have featured you with this week's Blog Stalking Thursday! Don't forget to stop by and grab a feature button! http://www.thecraftyblogstalker.com/2012/11/blog-stalking-thursday-66.html Thanks for sharing!

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  19. I know that the procedures were not as difficult as it seems. And yes, everyone should give homemade products a try. Not only will they save you some money, you’re also assured that the ingredients used are of the finest quality. Thanks for sharing your recipe!

    Faith Thomas @ The Berry Farm

    ReplyDelete

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