Homemade Red Jam

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🍓 Homemade Red Jam

(Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry, or Mixed Red Berry)

Servings: About 2 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 30–35 minutes

📝 Ingredients

For Red Jam:

  • 4 cups red fruit, chopped if large
    (strawberries, raspberries, cherries, red plums, or a mix)
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Optional:

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water
    (only if you prefer a thicker jam without long cooking)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the fruit

  • Wash and hull the fruit.
  • Chop larger fruits (like strawberries or plums).
  • Pitted cherries should be halved or quartered.

2. Combine ingredients

In a heavy saucepan, add:

  • Fruit
  • Sugar
  • Lemon juice
  • Lemon zest (optional)

Stir and let sit 5 minutes to release juices.

3. Cook the jam

  • Bring to a boil over medium heat.
  • Reduce to medium-low and simmer 20–25 minutes, stirring often.
  • Mash fruit with a potato masher as it cooks (for a smoother jam).

If you want extra thick jam, mix the cornstarch slurry and stir in during last 3 minutes.

4. Test the jam

Use the cold plate test:

  • Place a plate in the freezer for 5 minutes.
  • Drop a spoonful of jam on the cold plate.
  • If it wrinkles when you push it, it’s ready.
    If not, cook 3–5 minutes more.

5. Add vanilla (optional)

Stir in vanilla extract after you turn off the heat.

6. Cool & store

  • Let jam cool 10 minutes.
  • Pour into clean jars and cool fully before sealing.
  • Store in the fridge up to 3 weeks or freeze up to 3 months.

🍽️ Description

This red jam is sweet, slightly tangy, and bursting with bright berry flavor. It spreads beautifully, perfect for toast, biscuits, yogurt, oatmeal, cakes, and pastries.

💡 Tips for Success

  • Add more sugar if using very tart berries.
  • For chunkier jam, don’t mash the fruit.
  • For a smoother jam, blend with an immersion blender before cooling.
  • Lemon juice helps set the jam and brightens the flavor — don’t skip it!

🔢 Nutritional Information (per tablespoon)

  • Calories: 45
  • Sugar: 10g
  • Carbs: 11g
    (Varies slightly by fruit used.)

🌟 Conclusion

This easy red jam has the perfect balance of sweetness and fresh fruit flavor. It’s fast, customizable, and tastes far better than store-bought.

⭐ Recommendation

Try variations like:

  • Strawberry-raspberry mix
  • Cherry-vanilla jam
  • Red plum + raspberry blend
  • Strawberry-chili jam for a sweet-spicy kick

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