Introduction
Who doesn’t love a good old-fashioned homemade raspberry jam? The sweet and tangy fruit preserve is a staple in every household as versatile as it’s delicious. From a classic on toast to a topping on pancakes, waffles or yogurt or as a surprise element in cakes or muffins, raspberry jam is an essential ingredient. The good news is that making raspberry jam at home is surprisingly simple and takes only an hour of your time. We bring you a complete guide on how to make raspberry jam with variations to suit your taste buds.
Step-By-Step Guide
To make raspberry jam, you need fresh raspberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. You also need a heavy-bottomed saucepan, a spoon, a jar with a tight-fitting lid to store the jam after it has cooled down.
In a heavy-bottomed pot, arrange one layer of raspberries, sprinkle them with sugar, add another layer of raspberries, sprinkle them with sugar and continue till you finish your ingredients. Let the berries sit for about 20 minutes to release their juices. After 20 minutes, stir the raspberries gently – you don’t want to break the berries down yet. Now, turn the heat on and let the pot come up to a simmer slowly, stirring constantly till the sugar dissolves. Raise your heat and bring the preserves to a boil. This step usually takes about 10 minutes from the start of simmering, and it should get the mixture to 220 degrees F. Make sure you stir constantly to keep the jam from scorching.
After it has come up to a boil, turn the heat back to medium. Let the preserves simmer until it has thickened, it’s darker in color, and the temperature has hit 220 degrees F. For those who don’t have a thermometer, you can test your jam by applying a spoonful to a cold plate. If, after a minute, the jam wrinkles when you push it with your finger, it’s done!
Once your jam has thickened, turn off the heat and let it sit for a few minutes before filling your jars. Using a ladle, put the hot jam into the sterile jars, leaving a quarter of an inch headspace. Remove any air bubbles by running a chopstick or spatula around the inside of the jar. Put on the lid and let it cool on the counter. The jam will thicken a little bit more after it cools down. Enjoy!
Recipe Article
For those who want to create the perfect raspberry jam in their kitchens, these recipe steps are for you:
Ingredients:
- 6 cups fresh raspberries.
- 4 cups white granulated sugar.
- 4 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
- Arrange a layer of raspberries in your heavy-bottomed pot, sprinkle the layer with 1/3 of the sugar, and add another layer of raspberries on top. Sprinkle that layer with another 1/3 of the sugar, and repeat layering until all the raspberries and sugar are used. Let sit for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, stir the raspberries gently – you don’t want to break the berries down yet. Now, turn the heat on and let the pot come up to a simmer slowly, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves.
- Raise your heat and bring the preserves to a boil. This step usually takes about 10 minutes from the start of simmering, and it should get the mixture to 220 degrees F, so make sure you use a thermometer.
- After it has come up to a boil, turn the heat back to medium. Let the preserves simmer until it has thickened, it’s darker in colour, and the temperature has hit 220 degrees F. After this, turn off the heat.
- Use a ladle, put the hot jam into the sterile jars, leaving a quarter of an inch headspace. Remove any air bubbles by running a chopstick or spatula around the inside of the jar. Put on the lid and let it cool on the counter.
- Enjoy!
Customization tips:
- For a bit of a twist, try adding a splash of raspberry flavored liquor, such as Chambord, to the pot as you start the simmering process.
- Trying changing your sugar to a light brown sugar which adds a lovely warmth to the raspberry flavor
- Try adding in other fruits – strawberries, blueberries and blackberries, all work well in a mixed berry jam.
Quick and Easy Article
For those who want to make raspberry jam quickly and easily, here are some alternative methods:
Using a Pressure Cooker:
Begin by sterilizing the jars you’ll use to store your jam. In your pressure cooker, combine 6 cups of raspberries and 4 cups of sugar. Cook on high-pressure for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, release the pressure and simmer the mixture till it reaches 220 degrees F. Put the hot jam into the sterile jars and let it cool.
Using a Microwave:
Begin by sterilizing the jars you’ll use to store your jam. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 6 cups of raspberries and 4 cups of sugar. Microwave on high for 10 – 15 minutes, or until it reaches 220 degrees F. Using oven mitts, remove the bowl from the microwave and ladle the hot jam into the sterile jars. Let jam cool and enjoy!
Tips:
- Make sure to stir your mixture occasionally to avoid scorching.
- Be cautious when removing your hot mixture from the microwave. It can burn you easily!
- Use a silicone spatula for adding the jam into the jars, it will lessen the mess.
Health-Focused Article
Raspberry jam not only tastes delicious but also has a lot of potential health benefits:
Reduced Sugar Version:
To make a healthier version of raspberry jam, use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup instead of commercial granulated sugar. You can also reduce the sugar quantity to your liking and add in some pureed apple to help thicken it up. Be sure to follow all the instructions in the recipe and simply substitute honey for sugar in a 1-1 ratio; it’s that simple!
Health Benefits:
Did you know that raspberries contain more vitamin C per serving than oranges and are filled with antioxidants? With homemade raspberry jam, you can control which ingredients you add, ensuring that you will get the best nutrients from your spread. You can also avoid any artificial flavorings or preservatives that might be added in commercial varieties.
Creativity-Focused Article:
Homemade raspberry jam is not just for toast! Here are some creative ways to use your homemade raspberry jam:
On Pancakes:
Elevate your Sunday Pancake morning by topping them with your homemade raspberry jam and drizzling with a sweet, light syrup. Garnish with some whipped cream, fresh raspberries, and powdered sugar, and you are good to go!
Swirled in Cheesecake:
Swirl your homemade raspberry jam into a creamy cheesecake. Topping it off with fresh raspberries will not only give depth to the flavor but add a pop of color too.
As a glaze for chicken or pork:
Add a spoonful of raspberry jam to your pork or chicken before you bake or grill it. It adds a sweet and tangy layer to the meat that will leave you speechless!
Freezer Jam:
Bring a pot of raspberries, sugar, and pectin to a boil. Allow it to cool, then pour into a Mason jar and stash it in your freezer for up to a year. Let the jam thaw for a few hours before you are ready to use it.
With these creative ideas, your homemade raspberry jam is sure not to go to waste
Conclusion
Homemade raspberry jam is a simple recipe that anyone can make. With its versatility in use, health benefits, and the ability to customize it to your likings, it’s hard to say no. Whether by following our step-by-step guide, quick and easy recipe or health-focused, or creative articles, you can make raspberry jam that will be the talk of the town.
