It's Canning Season - Our Favorite Jam Recipe

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Canning season is officially here, and we couldn't be more excited to share some of our favorite recipes and canning tips in the coming months. You may feel intimidated by canning if you haven't tried it before, but canning is easier than you think, and it's an activity where you're guaranteed to get more out than you put in!

To kick-off canning season, we're preserving our favorite jam recipe, Mixed Berry Jam. In the United States, berries and fruits reach their peak flavor from May through July, and our Mixed Berry Jam is an easy way to preserve your favorite berry flavors. Below are detailed, step-by-step instructions for creating this simple tasty recipe, which you and your loved ones can enjoy all year long.

Mixed Berry Jam

Makes about 6 (8 oz) half-pint jars

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Ingredients

  • 4 cups crushed berries, mix and match your favorites such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and/or raspberries
  • 4 ½ tbsp Ball® RealFruit™ Classic Pectin
  • 3 cups sugar

 

 

Step 1: Heat Jars

Examine the jars for defects, then wash lids in warm soapy water and set them (and the bands) aside. Place a canning rack at the bottom of the canner and fill halfway with water. Place the jars in the water and bring almost to a simmer over medium. Important: To prevent jar breakage due to thermal shock, keep the jars hot until ready to fill. Wash the lids and bands in warm soapy water, rinse, and set aside.

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Step 2: Prep Ingredients

Prepare the ingredients by crushing your favorite berries such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries in a flat glass container with a masher.

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Step 3: Cook

Pour the prepared crushed berries into an 8-quart saucepan. Gradually stir in pectin. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over high heat, stirring constantly. Add the sugar, stirring to dissolve. Return the mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam, if necessary.

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Step 4: Fill and Measure

Remove an empty jar from the boiling water with your jar lifter and place it on a towel. Using your funnel, ladle hot jam into the hot jar leaving a ¼ inch headspace from the jam to the rim. Slide headspace tool along inner side of the jar to remove air bubbles.

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Step 5: Wipe Jar and Apply Lid and Band

Wipe jar rim. Center lid on jar and apply band, adjust to fingertip tight. Make sure the band is not overtightened ‒ air inside the jars must be able to escape. Using the jar lifter, place jar in boiling water canner. Repeat until all jars are filled, and make sure the water covers the jars by at least 1 inch. Add more hot water if needed.

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Step 6: Process Jars and Cool

Process jars (leave jars in boiling water) for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Turn off heat, remove lid from pot, and let jars stand for 5 minutes. Then, use the jar lifter to remove the jars from the canner. Set upright on a towel or cutting board, leaving at least 2 inches between the jars. Let jars cool for 12-24 hours.

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Step 7: Test and Store

Check the lids for vacuum seals after stand time. Lids should not flex up and down when the center is pressed. Remove the bands. Gently try to lift off the lids with your fingertips. If the lids cannot be lifted off, the lid has a good seal. Wipe the jars and the lids with a clean, damp cloth. Label and store in a cool, dry, dark place up to 18 months.

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Step 8: Enjoy!

Now that you've made your jam, start thinking of all the treats you can make with it! Use it as a spread, mix it with your oatmeal, or use it to make our Mixed Berry Hand Pies!

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Let us know what you thought of this recipe and share your tasty creation with us on social by tagging @BallCanning. You can also visit FreshPreserving.com to browse our newest jars and get inspired for your upcoming spring cleaning project.

 

Happy Canning season!