DIY: Let’s Make Some Homemade Jam!

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Making jam is a perfect weekend activity! Gather up the kids and their friends and take a day trip to a local orchard or berry farm to pick your own berries. If you’re in for a rainy weekend, or not so into the whole pick-your-own day out, just stop by the store and pick up the fruit of your choice. Now, let’s get canning! In this video, TheCraftyGemini shows us how to make a low-sugar blueberry jam. Yum!

What you’ll need

• Canning jars (about 5 for this recipe)
• Large stock pot
• Small, low-lying rack
• Tongs
• Funnel
• Pectin with calcium packet included
• 4 cups blueberries (fresh or thawed), mashed
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup organic evaporated cane juice
• 2 teaspoons pectin powder

How it’s done

1. Simmer the lids over low heat.
2. Boil the jars to sterilize and keep them on low heat so they’ll still be warm when you’re ready to add the jam.
3. In another jar, combine 1/2 cup cold water and 1/2 tsp. calcium. Shake to combine.
4. Mash blueberries and then add them to a pot on the stove on medium heat. Pour in lemon juice. Stir to combine.
5. Shake up the calcium water and then add 2 teaspoons to the pot.
6. In a separate bowl, combine evaporated cane juice and pectin powder.
7. Once berries come to a boil, add the cane juice and pectin mixture. Whisk until the dry ingredients are dissolved.
8. Bring berry mixture back to a boil. Once it begins to boil, remove from heat.
9. Remove 1 warm jar from the heat, add funnel and spoon the warm jam into the jar. Fill about 1/4″ from the top.
10. Wipe top and sides of the jar to remove any excess.
11. Add the warm lid and band and then return the jar back to the warm water (completely submerged).
12. Once all jars are filled and back in the stock pot, put the lid on the pot and bring the water up to a boil.
13. Once the water starts boiling, set a timer to 10 minutes.
14. Remove from heat after 10 minutes. Allow the jars sit for another 5 minutes or so then remove.
15. Let the jars cool on a towel. Make sure the lids snap down to create a seal.

You can eat this jam fresh or store for up to a year. Who doesn’t love jam?! As you can see, it’s relatively simple to make, it’s a fun and retro gift to take to friends and family. It’s an ideal picnic accessory, and it’s a great way to get the kids involved in your culinary adventures!