Blackberry Jam – Holy Yum!

As you know, we went blackberry picking here recently.  Well at the Amish store up the road from where I live, they sell blackberry jam.  I told my mom I’d like to give it a go and make my own.  She said, here I’ll give you some blackberries if you’ll make your dad some.  Well, I planned on making him some anyway but I already had my blackberries frozen so I took her up on the offer.

It was soooooo super easy to make.

First wash 5 cups of Blackberries.  Simple, right?

Next you’ll want a Tablespoon or 2 of Lemon Juice.  One thing, if you don’t think your lemon will give you much juice, you can press it on the counter a few times or stick it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

I used my juicer to make sure I got all the liquid, but you can easily use your hand to get the liquid out.

Next, add 7 cups (sounds like a lot I know.  My blackberries were first picking so they needed a bit more sweetness) sugar to the berries and lemon juice and bring up to a boil.  At first you may wonder where all the liquid comes from, but trust me, it’ll come!

Stir together and bring this mixture to a bubble.

Once you have it at a bubble, add your fruit pectin.  The pkg is 1.75 oz or 49g.  Boil this for 1 minute.

While you have the jam working, place your lids in a pot of simmering water.

And make sure to sterilize your jars.  You can do this in the dishwasher (mine was already running) or a pot of water.  Make sure the jars are completely covered and boil for 10 minutes.

Then while the jam is still hot, bring the jar over and start filling it up to 1/4 inch from the top.

It is easiest to make sure you use the jar filler funnel.  It makes things a lot easier as you can see… it’s kind of messy :).

Make sure to wipe the rim of the jar off with a clean towel.

Then place the lid on and screw the top down.

I placed mine in a pressure cooker, but I’ve seen where people have a pot and just fill it over the rim of the jars by 1 inch.

Bring it up to a boil for 10 minutes.

After you’re finished “cooking” them, place them on your counter to cool.  Make sure to use the jar grabber so you don’t burn yourself.

And Viola!  You have blackberry jam.  This made me just over 7 “jam” jars.  I believe they are 8oz jars.  They are generally sold as Jelly Jars.

Enjoy over toast!  Now to be sinful… you can add a few tbsp of this to a few tbsp of butter and put over a fresh off the grill steak.  I’m just sayin 🙂