Small Batch Strawberry Jam Recipe

Learning how to make jam can be daunting. First you have to add special ingredients, make huge batches, learn specific ratios and learn how to can. Well, actually no. You only have to have patiences and learn a few basics. We will go over how to make a small batch of jam that doesn't require canning or as much sugar as the typical 1:1 and 2:1 sugar to berry ratios out there. This recipe uses much less sugar so that you can really taste those berries. But if you like sweeter jams, simply add another 1/2 cup or 100 grams of sugar to get a more traditional sweet jam. Either way is fine by us!

You will need to wash and dry your berries. Also, do not use soap. You can simply run them under cool running water or soak them in cold water with a few tablespoons of vinegar for thirty minutes. Then you rinse them if you chose to soak them, hull the berries, slice them up and move onto the next step. It's as simple as adding sugar, heating the berries and cooking them to 220F (105C) to get a nice thick, sweet strawberry jam. For each cup of strawberries you use, expect around 1/4 cup of jam.

Remove the stems and any berries with mold.
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Rinse well or soak in a cold vinegar bath for 30 minutes.
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Next, slice and hull berries, add to a saucepan with sugar.
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Let sit 30 minutes then mash with a spoon or run through a blender.
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Turn pan onto medium high and watch for boiling.
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Once it begins to boil, stir frequently.
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It will go from cloudy.
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Then to bubbling.
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Next, it will start to get glossy.
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As the cloudiness fades, the jam is almost ready.
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Finally, the jam will turn a lovely ruby color.
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Cook until 220F (105C) and turn off heat.
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If you place a small amount on a chilled plate, let it cool, then run a finger across, it should hold its shape.
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Cool and pour into a heatproof container. Store chilled.
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Happy baking!

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Less Sugar, Only Sweet Strawberry Jam Recipe

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This makes around 1/2 cup of fresh strawberry jam meant for toast, cakes, cookies and other confections. No need to make a large batch of jam when you only need a small amount.
Prepare: 15 minutes
Bake: 30 minutes
Servings: 8 tbs

Equipment

  • Candy thermometer

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (320g) strawberries
  • 1 cup (200g) sugar

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, mix together berries and sugar. Let sit 15-30 minutes to allow berries to macerate (this allows the fruit to soften and release its natural juices.) Mash berries with a spoon or run through a blender for finer texture. Add thermometer to side of the pan.
  • Turn heat to medium high. Once berries and sugar begin to boil, continue to stir frequently and cook until mixture reaches 220F (104C.) Adjust temperature down if mixture begins to spatter outside of pan. Turn off heat.
  • Pour into a heatproof container and allow to cool to room temperature. Store in refrigerator. Use within 5-7 days.

Notes

If you like sweeter jam, add 1/2 cup (100g) of sugar to the recipe. 
Do not use this for canning.  There are specific recipes for canning food safely and this jam is intended for small projects such as a jelly rolls, sandwich cookies and petit fours.  
If you don't have a thermometer, as the mixture becomes translucent and thickens, place a small bit on a chilled ceramic plate. Let cool before running a finger or an object in the middle of the jam. If it doesn't go back together and a line stays, the jam is ready.  

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