Quick Apple Jelly Recipes

APPLE JELLY

Steps:

• Combine fruit and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, partially covered, mashing occasionally with a potato masher, until fruit is very soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer mixture to a fine sieve set over a heatproof bowl; let drain without pressing on fruit, 4 hours. Strain again through sieve lined with damp cheesecloth. Measure juice; you will have 3 to 4 cups.
• In a large heavy-bottomed pot, bring juice to a boil. Add 3/4 cup sugar for each cup of juice. Add lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Return to a boil and cook, stirring frequently, 8 to 12 minutes. To test if jelly is done, dip a large metal spoon in, lift it horizontally above pot, and let mixture drip back in. Jelly is done when mixture has thickened slightly and drops of it slide together off spoon in a sheet. (Temperature should register 221 degrees on a candy thermometer.) Skim foam from top.
• Ladle jelly into clean containers, leaving 3/4 inch of headroom. Let cool completely. Cover, label, and refrigerate up to 1 month, or freeze up to 1 year.

APPLE JELLY

Steps:

• Place apples in a large pot; cover with water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer until apples are slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Crush cooked apples and simmer for 5 more minutes.
• Transfer crushed apples to a sieve or cheesecloth. Let drip into a bowl until all liquid has drained, pressing gently to release all the juice. Measure 5 cups apple juice, adding water if necessary to have exact amount. Stir sugar into juice; add butter to reduce foaming.
• Bring juice mixture to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. Stir in pectin; boil for exactly 1 minute to dissolve pectin, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim off excess foam with a metal spoon.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Ladle apple jam into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/8 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 5 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Let stand at room temperature for 24 hours. Store in a cool, dark area. Refrigerate opened jellies for up to 3 weeks.

OLD FASHION APPLE-MINT JELLY

Steps:

• Wash the apples and remove the stems and dark spots. Quarter but do not peel or core. Place in a medium size enamel pot.
• Add just enough water to half cover the fruit. Cook over low heat until fruit is soft (about 1 hour) place cooked apples in a jelly bag and drain out the liquid. You will get more juice if you squeeze the bag but the jelly will be cloudy if you do.
• Measure the juice. Add 1/2 c honey for each cup of juice. Boil until jelly is done.
• To test if your jelly is done remove the syrup from the heat and scoop up a small amount of jelly with a cold metal spoon. Raise it about a foot above above the pot away from the steam and wait about 20 seconds. Tip the spoon so that the syrup slides off the side of the spoon. If the syrup forms two drops that flow together and slide off the spoon in one sheet the jelly should be done. If it slides off in several separate drops cook it longer.
• Add 1/4 c mint leaves for every quart of juice. Stir and allow to cook 1 minute further.
• Remove leaves and ladle into hot sterile jars. Seal and process in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes or as according to canners instructions.
• For special occasions you can pour hot jelly into buttered molds.

APPLE JELLY

Steps:

• Combine apple juice and pectin in a large Dutch oven; bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
• Add sugar and bring to a full, rolling boil. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Remove mixture from heat, and skim off foam with a metal spoon.
• Quickly pour hot jelly into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace; wipe jar rims. Cover at once with metal lids and screw on bands.
• Process in boiling water bath 5 minutes.