Several years ago I learned about making strawberry freezer jam. I was really drawn to this because I love the flavor of fresh fruit but don't have the patience for cooked jams and jellies. Every Spring and Summer since then I've made at least a little freezer jam. Sometimes it turns out just right, sometimes it's too runny, but it always tastes sooo good! So, I wanted to share with you some of the things I've learned along the way.
My favorite brand pectin to use is Sure Jell Certo fruit pectin. It is incredibly easy to use. The pectin is already a gel so it combines easily with the fruit. Here is their recipe.
* 2 cups smashed strawberries (this is jam, so you do want some bigger pieces left)
* 4 cups sugar, measured in a separate bowl
* 3/4 cup water
* 2 Tbsp lemon juice
* 1 packet of Certo Fruit Pectin
**Rinse 5 (1-cup) plastic containers and lids with boiling water. Dry thoroughly. Stem and crush strawberries thoroughly, 1 cup at a time. (It usually takes me about 4 cups or 1 quart of berries to equal 2 crushed.) Measure exactly 2 cups prepared fruit into large bowl. Stir in sugar. Let stand 10 min., stirring occasionally.
**Mix 1 pouch CERTO Fruit Pectin and 2 Tbsp. lemon juice in bowl. Stir into fruit mixture in large bowl. Continue as directed. Makes about 4 (1-cup) containers.
A few times I have tried using 2 different jam recipes and combining them. That was when I tried the strawberry kiwi jam.That didn't turn out so well. The flavor was amazing, but it was definitely sauce and not jam. It was very runny. Another time I made strawberry blueberry with blueberries that were just a little past their prime: not good either. They weren't juicy enough, and the jam was way too thick. There doesn't seem to be much wiggle room when working with pectin.
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| You can always make ice cream topping out of runny jam like I did with my strawberry kiwi jam. Strawberries and chocolate sauce - YUM! |
This is definitely the easiest jam recipe I have made thus far, and the one that always seems to come out just right. I hope you try and enjoy it!
I also made a really awesome Strawberry Upside Down Cake.... but you'll just hafta wait for that one til next time!
