Although I like to cook, I love “craft” cooking, meaning cooking that’s not for a meal. And at holiday time, my recreational cooking often becomes DIY gifts.
One of the things I make all year round is jam. In the summer, I pick strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and peaches when they’re in season. I love going to local farms and picking the fruit that looks good to me rather than the already picked fruit in containers.
I enjoy being outdoors, and I also love eating the fruit while I’m in the fields picking it! Yum. It can be a really fun day out with kids, too, so they see where their food comes from.
Some of the fruit is freeze-able, so it can be available long after it’s gone from the bush or tree. Like blueberries. They’re really easy to freeze. Jeff gave me a FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer a couple of years ago. I wanted one forever, and it has been great for freezing fruit and preventing freezer burn.
So just recently, I defrosted blueberries I picked in July, and I made blueberry jam. IMHO, blueberry jam is pretty fool-proof. Here’s how I do it.
Getting Everything Ready
Before getting started, I get all my gear in order:
- jam jars (Mason jars, Ball jars, any jam jars) and screw tops/bands washed in hot soapy water
- new lids with rubber seals
- a big pot, with a lift-out wire rack if you can get one
- canning tools, especially a device to lift the jars into and out of the pot and a funnel with a handle that fits the jar mouths (Ball sells a little kit for less than $10 that’s really handy)
- long-handled wooden spoon
- ladle
- pot holders
- a couple of dish towels
- measure out the sugar so that it’s ready to go
Then I fill the pot with water high enough to cover the jam jars and bring it to a boil.
I boil the jam jars for 10 minutes to ensure they were clean and sterilized. I throw the screw tops and the new lids in for about 5 minutes.
Blueberry Jam Recipe
I use pectin to make sure the jam jells, and liquid Certo is my pectin of choice because I’ve had better luck with it than with other brands or types. There are others that you may prefer.
Here’s the recipe that’s on the Certo package or pretty close to it. It makes at least eight 8 ounce jars.
- 4 c. blueberries (about 2 quarts, cleaned and washed)
- 1 box of Certo Sure Jell containing two packages of liquid pectin
- 1 T. fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp of butter
- 7 c. sugar
I know that looks like a ton of sugar, and it is, but if you put in less your jam may not jell, and that’s a drag after you’ve done all the work. There are pectins that are “no sugar” pectins or “low sugar” pectins, so look for those. I went with the traditional high sugar recipe.
You can make small but not drastic changes to your jam recipe, if you like. For example, sometimes I add some Chambord, a raspberry liqueur, to my blueberry jam. I’ve added bourbon to peach jam. Whatever you want. You just can’t add too much because changing up the recipe can cause the jam not to jell. If you plan to change up the recipe, do that when you’re not making gifts in case it doesn’t work out. Similarly, you can’t just double or triple the recipe. Making jam or jelly is more like baking where it’s an exact science than like cooking where you can wing it.
Jam Making Procedure
- Put the washed and cleaned blueberries in a 6-8 quart pot, a good-size pot, and crush. I use a potato crusher. I like some whole blueberries in my jam, so I crush it in layers. Crush the bottom layer or two. Leave about 1/4-1/3 of the blueberries whole.
- Turn the heat on to medium-low to start.
- Stir in the lemon juice.
- Stir in both packets of liquid pectin.
- Add the butter to reduce the foaming, though it seems to happen anyway.
- Turn up the heat to medium or medium-high and bring to a full, rolling boil while stirring with a wooden spoon. It usually takes less than 5 minutes to come to a boil. Boil for exactly one minute, stirring constantly. Shut off the heat and skim off the foam with a metal spoon.
- Ladle immediately into the clean jars. Fill to 1/4″ of the top. Wipe off the lip of the jars with a clean dishtowel or paper towel. Place the rubberized lid on top and then screw on the band. Do not tighten them all the way.
- With the jar lifter, place the jars back in the boiling water and boil them for 10 minutes.
- Remove the jars, place them on a wire rack or on a dishtowel. You’ll hear the lids seal as they make a sucking or popping noise. Tighten the bands.
- Let the jars cool. And let them sit for about 24 hours to fully thicken.
If canned properly, they should last at least 6 months or maybe more without refrigeration.
Decorate the jars with a ribbon or fabric top or just a gift tag, if you like. They’re ready to go! Or keep for yourself and your family to enjoy. It is so delicious to make jam yourself.
Have you ever made jam? Would you give it a try?
I can attest to the deliciousness of Allison’s blueberry jam (and all the other jams she makes also).
Why thank you, J, for the testimonial!! I just opened a jar of the raspberry jam I made a while back and it is yummy too 🙂
ooh I love blueberry jam! Thanks for the recipe.
You’re welcome, Kim. Hope you try it out some day!
What a fun thing to do (and yummy to eat)! Nice gift idea for the holidays.
Tina @ My Highest Self recently posted…You Can’t Lose with Buxom Lip Gloss Roulette
It is a fun thing to do, especially with kids, and it’s not as difficult as it sounds 🙂
Sounds delicious!
Jamie recently posted…First Look Fridays Interview Series: Beauty Blogger Liesl Gutierrez of Liesl Loves Pretty Things
It is, Jamie! This batch came out just fantastic, yay
Blueberry is my favorite!!!!!
Destany recently posted…Live Love Polish – Seche Smitten review
And this batch was a real winner, Destany. Soooooo blueberry!
This is so awesome!! Thank you for sharing your recipe and your tips….now when can I expect my jam in the mail? 😛
Jessica recently posted…Beauty Blog Coalition Members’ Favorite Holiday Polishes
If it wasn’t so dang heavy, Jessica, I’d send you one 😉
I don’t eat jam but this looks amazing! Thank you for the step by step!
Krystal E recently posted…Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) Heather Mist
Thanks for reading it, Krystal!
can we say YUM?
It really is yum. This was a great batch!
I really like the idea of a homemade gift for Christmas! great post! I have never tried making jam before but I definitely want to
Natalye recently posted…Sephora V.I.B. Haul
You really can do it without all the paraphernalia, Natalye. You just need a pot deep enough to boil the jars, and I would invest in a jar lifter and a funnel. It’s really not hard. If you ever do it, please let me know how it goes 🙂
I’ve been reading a book that keeps talking about blueberry jam so I’ve been craving it. I have to try your recipe!
You should, Aleya. And it’s fun to do with kids if they’re not too young. You just need a pot deep enough to cover the jars, a jar lifter so you don’t burn yourself, and a funnel. If you ever try it, let me know how it works out!
This is an absolutely amazing post, Allison! Thank you for the recipe! This looks so delicious!
Lola’s Secret Beauty Blog recently posted…Barneys New York Lust List | From Sales to Splurges
Thank you so much, Lola. Though it’s a little far afield for a beauty blog, I figured a change of pace is good. And it really is delicious 🙂
Such a great idea! This looks delish
Jess Scull recently posted…KBShimmer Men Are From Mars-ala | Pantone Color Of The Year 2015
I enjoy making it, Jess! And it really is delicious
First I adore berries and next, what a thoughtful way to gift someone. I don’t know if I’d have the patience to cook and all that but it looks so yummy in photos.
NORAH recently posted…Monat Global Rejuveniqe™ Oil Intensive Review
It really is delicious and a fun, crafty thing to do. I started when I was a graduate student in my small kitchen on the Upper West Side by making orange marmalade! But berries are my favorites because they taste great and they’re the easiest and quickest to do.
I love making jam! My fav is strawberry!
I’m so glad you make jam, too, Eugenia! I love strawberry too. The jam is the best made from field-grown strawberries, and I look forward to the couple of weeks that I can pick them for jam or just eating!
This looks like a lot of fun! People definitely appreciate things that are home made and from the heart. I’ve always wanted a Food Saver – they’re handy!
Sheila recently posted…Makeup Of The Day 60 With Cover FX Illuminating Primer
I hope you get a FoodSaver some day. It has saved me money!
Blueberries are my favorite fruit <3
Phyrra recently posted…Updated Face Routine
I’m hoping that my own blueberry bushes will get big enough to make enough blueberries to make something with. Usually, it’s me vs. the birds in terms of who gets to them first. I love blueberries the most too.
I have a craving now for your jam on homemade scones!!
You bring the scones, I’ll bring the jam 🙂
I haven’t since made jam since the 8th grade!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted…Last Minute Stocking Stuffers from Burt’s Bees!
It’s never too late, Cindy, and it’s fun 🙂
Yum! I like jam 🙂
Anastasia recently posted…Eddie Funkhouser 12 Days of Giveaways – Day 9! Win A Neutral Lip Gift Set
And it is yummy!
Such a nice idea! & It’s so thoughful
Betzy Carmona recently posted…OPI Malaga Wine = Marsala Pantone 2015
I usually give my jam only to people who I know like and appreciate it. Although it’s not hard, it is a bit of work 🙂
That’s such a great gift idea! I made strawberry freezer jam once, but I’ve never made the real deal cooked jam.
Bailey recently posted…Everything Eyes with Yves Rocher
Freezer jam definitely counts, Bailey!
That looks really good! I wish I enjoyed crafty things. I also wish I had more friends who enjoyed making jam and mailing it to me! lol!
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted…There’s Nothing More Beautiful Than A Great Smile! #TartarScraperkit
Well, crafts aren’t for everyone. And you probably have plenty of other things keeping you busy. 🙂
I would love to try this some day! I love home made anything!
Brooke @ Blushing Noir recently posted…Guardians of the Galaxy // The Ultimate Family Movie Night #OwnTheGalaxy #CollectiveBias
It’s not difficult really. Maybe when you kids are the right age, it would be a fun project to do together…especially the fruit picking part 🙂
My grandmother has so many fruit trees, I would love to try making our own jams.
Mercedes {Beyond Beauty Lounge} recently posted…Straighten & Curl with the InStyler Max Rotating Iron
How fortunate, Mercedes! It would be a great project for you to do together. And really, you just need a pot deep enough to boil the jars, the jar lifting tool and a funnel. I hope you get to do it!
I’ve never canned before but it looks so fun! I love canned jelly my grandma makes though!
Justina recently posted…Teadora Rainforest at Dusk
You should watch your grandmother do it some day if you can, Justina. It’ll be a fun thing to do with your daughters when they are older 🙂
OMG the memories! I use to do this with my grammy every year!
Lisa Heath recently posted…Teadora Rainforest At Dawn Nourishing Body Polish Review
Oh, I’m so glad to hear that, Lisa. It seems that canning is actually making a comeback now! Hope maybe you’ll try it sometime 🙂
Yummy – send some of that over here 😀 I’m drooling.
Honeygirlk recently posted…Easy Holiday Glam Makeup – Soft Eyes & Red Lips
Coming right up! 😉
Yummm those peaches got me craving summer stone fruit
Kimmi @ The Plastic Diaries recently posted…Rosehip by Essano – Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser Review
You’re closer to getting them than we are! enjoy 🙂
I have the sudden urge to make jam! I love home made jam, my grandma’s is always the best
Jessica recently posted…Gerard Comsetics 1995 & Cherry Cordial Review
I do love jam! <3 This sounds great!
I grew up making jams & jelly with my grandma- fresh sour cherry is still my favorite!
Stephanie Louise (@StephLouiseATB) recently posted…ORLY Mirrorball & Bling Holo Polishes & Houndstooth Decals
I have never made sour cherry, Stephanie. We get sour cherries in the stores here in July for about 2 weeks. They are a bit hard to work with. They are very juicy but the pit takes up a lot of the cherry. Do you have a secret to de-pit them?