Homemade Blackberry Jam Recipes

HOMEMADE BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Place the fresh berries and sugar in a bowl for a few hours (or overnight). During this time, the berries will macerate, and the sugar begins to dissolve - thus needing less time to cook before the sugar fully dissolves, allowing the berries to stay more in-tact.
• First, mash the blackberries and add with the lemon juice to the pan. Simmer for a few minutes to break the fruit down, and then press through a sieve or jelly bag into a bowl. Then simply place 2-3 spoonfuls of the seeds back into the jam or remove the seeds entirely for more of a blackberry jelly recipe (which uses the blackberry juice only).
• Start by very lightly mashing the blackberries in a bowl (or the pan) using a potato masher or similar tool.
• Then, in a medium heavy-based pan, add the sugar, blackberries, lemon juice, and pectin. Heat on low-medium heat, stirring constantly, to completely dissolve the sugar. This will eliminate the risk of grainy/sugar crystal formed jam later on.
• Bring the mixture to a boil (a rolling boil that can't be stirred down) at high heat for five minutes, without stirring. Use a spoon to make sure the jam isn't sticking to the bottom of the pan. If it is, then you can mix a couple of times and reduce the heat slightly.
• To check that the jam has reached setting point, either use a thermometer or the saucer test*. If using a thermometer, the temperature needs to be 105ºC/220ºF.
• Skim off any of the excess foam on top of the pan, for a clean jam. You can also add in a small amount of butter right at the end and stir to help disperse the rest of the foam/scum.
• Remove from heat and leave the jam to cool for 10-15 minutes. This will allow the berries to settle so that they don't sink to the bottom in the jars.
• Meanwhile, sterilize the jars you will be using for the jam and then place it in the oven for 10 minutes at 160ºC/325ºF to completely dry.
• Place the jar onto a wooden surface (or other heat proof surface) and transfer the jam to the jars. This process is easier with a canning funnel, but not necessary.Wipe away any spillage on the outside of the jar with a damp cloth and then seal the jars. Be careful not to touch the lip or inside the lid if you're hoping to properly 'can' your jam.
• If you plan to use the blackberry jam reasonably quickly and don't intend to properly 'can' it then It will last in the fridge for up to three weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
• You can also use the hot water bath method (see notes below) if you want to properly store your jam for long-term storage. That way, your jam will last up to 2 years in a cool, dry, dark location.

BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• The night before you make your jam, layer the blackberries and sugar together in a very large bowl, then cover and set aside at room temperature. This helps the sugar to start dissolving so you don't run the risk of over-cooking the fruit when you actually begin to make the jam. The next morning, give everything a quick stir, then set aside again until you are ready to start cooking.
• Before you start, put a small saucer in the freezer. Take a preserving pan or a large, wide-based pan (the wider and more open the pan, the faster the jam will be ready, so a preserving pan is really ideal) and tip the berries in, scraping out all the juices and any undissolved sugar. Stir in the lemon juice, then collect all the pips and secure them inside a tea-leaf strainer or piece of muslin before adding them to the pan (cooking the pips along with the fruit extracts the pectin they contain, helping your jam to set).
• Start the blackberries over a low heat until all the sugar is completely dissolved, then bring to the boil and simmer for 5 mins. Turn off the heat and spoon a little hot syrupy jam onto the chilled saucer. Once it's cool, push it with your finger. If it wrinkles a little, it's ready and has reached setting point. If it's too runny to wrinkle, return the pan to the heat and boil in 2 or 3-minute stages, removing the pan from the heat each time you do the saucer check, until the jam wrinkles.
• Skim off any excess scum, then stir in the knob of butter, if you want - this will help to dissolve any remaining scum. Leave the jam for 15 mins before ladling into sterilised jars - this allows the fruit to settle so it doesn't sink to the bottom. The jam will keep in a cool, dark place for at least 6 months. Refrigerate jars once opened.

BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Place the berries in a large stainless steel or enamel saucepan. Bring to a full boil over high heat, mashing the berries with a potato masher as they cook. Add the lemon juice and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring and mashing constantly.
• Add the sugar and return the mixture to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until it begins to look syrupy and thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and test for doneness: a candy thermometer should register 220 degrees F and the mixture should coat the back of a spoon. Run a finger--or a clean object about the width of a finger--through the coat of jam. If the jam does not run and fill the gap, it is done. Otherwise, return the pan to the heat for another 1 to 2 minutes and test again. Be careful not to let the mixture get too thick--it will thicken as it cools.
• When the jam is done, transfer it to a heatproof jar and cool to room temperature, about 2 hours. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate. The jam will keep for up to 2 weeks.

BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• (If you are planning to can the jam, prepare waterbath and sterilize jars).
• Clean berries just before using. Add the blackberries and lemon juice to an extra-large saucepan. Mash with a potato masher and simmer for a few minutes, to break down the fruit.
• (Optional, but recommended:) Use a food mill, or press mixture through a fine mesh strainer, into a bowl, to remove seeds.
• Measure out 4 cups of berry juice and add to an extra-large heavy bottomed stock pot. Add 2-3 spoonfuls of the leftover seeds for blackberry "jam". (Jelly uses the juice only).
• Add sugar and stir to combine. Turn burner to medium low, stirring occasionally, cooking for several minutes until sugar has dissolved.
• Increase the heat to medium high, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a full boil (a rolling boil that can't be stirred down).
• Add the pouch of pectin, stirring continuously, and allow to return to a full boil. Set a timer for 1 minute, stirring continuously, and remove from the heat after 1 minute.
• Pour jam into prepared jars and seal with lids.
• For Freezer Blackberry Jam: Allow the jam to cool at room temperature for 24 hours, then store in the fridge for up to 1 month, or the freezer for up to 1 year.
• To Can: Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (or longer if at high altitude*). Allow to rest on your counter for 24 hours, to ensure the jars settle and seal properly. Check seals, and store jam in a cool, dry place for up to one year.

BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Mash blackberries in a saucepan with a potato masher. Stir in sugar until juices form; place about 1 tablespoon blackberry juice in a small bowl and stir in cornstarch. Pour cornstarch mixture into saucepan.
• Bring berries to a boil, stirring often, until jam is thickened, about 15 minutes. Stir in cinnamon and allspice. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Transfer jam to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until chilled. Stir in lemon juice.

HOMEMADE BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Carefully measure out the berries, put them into a very large pot (8qt).
• Carefully measure sugar in a lg bowl.
• Add the pectin to the berries a little at a time, stirring constantly.
• Heat on hi, stirring constantly until mixture comes to a FULL boil.
• Add sugar ALL at once, stirring.
• Bring mixture back to a full hard boil, stirring constantly.
• Boil for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat and ladle into clean, hot 8oz jars, leaving 1/4 inch space at the top.
• Wipe the rim of the jar and put canning lids and rings on fingertip tight.
• Place in canner with very hot water, make sure water is 1 inch above jars.
• Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
• Remove and set them upright on a towel to set for 12 hours.