Description
This Homemade Blackberry Jam is a sweet, tangy treat that captures the essence of fresh blackberries in every spoonful. Made with just a few simple ingredients and no pectin, it’s the perfect way to preserve the summer fruit for the months ahead. Spread it on toast, swirl it into yogurt, or use it as a topping for your favorite desserts. This easy, small-batch recipe is a must-try for berry lovers!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fresh blackberries (or frozen if fresh is unavailable)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional for extra flavor)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional for added warmth)
Instructions
- Prepare the Fruit:
- Rinse the blackberries thoroughly under cool water, then place them in a large saucepan or pot.
- Use a potato masher or a fork to crush the blackberries, releasing their juices. If you prefer a smoother jam, you can blend the berries with an immersion blender before cooking.
- Cook the Jam:
- Add the sugar, lemon juice, and optional vanilla extract and cinnamon to the mashed blackberries.
- Stir everything together and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let the jam cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring frequently. As it cooks, the mixture will thicken. To check if it’s ready, drop a small spoonful of jam on a cold plate and run your finger through it—if it wrinkles and holds its shape, it’s ready.
- Adjust Consistency:
- If the jam seems too runny, continue to cook for another 5-10 minutes. If it becomes too thick, you can add a little water to thin it out.
- Can or Store:
- Once the jam has reached your desired consistency, remove it from the heat.
- Let it cool for about 10 minutes, then transfer it into sterilized jars. You can either store the jam in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks or process the jars in a water bath for long-term storage. For water bath canning, process jars for 10 minutes and allow them to cool completely before storing.
- Serve:
- Once the jam has cooled and set, enjoy it on toast, in desserts, or as a topping for yogurt, pancakes, or cakes!
Notes
- If you like your jam a little smoother, you can run the mashed berries through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds.
- You can adjust the sweetness of your jam by reducing or increasing the sugar, depending on the sweetness of the berries.
- For a more robust flavor, consider adding a pinch of ginger or a few mint leaves during the cooking process, then removing them before storing.
- This recipe works well with other berries, such as raspberries or blackberries mixed with blueberries.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Preserves, Jam, Canning
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 50
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0g