Mixed Berry Jam

Are you looking for any easy homemade gift to give? Our mixed berry jam is not only easy, but you can make plenty of jars for everyone on your gift list. It’s easy to decorate the jars with fabric and ribbon, or simply give with some water crackers for a treat everyone will love.

Recipe

Ingredients
6 pints fresh berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)
6 cups sugar
10- 1/2 pint glass canning jars with two-piece caps and lids

Directions

  1. Prepare the canning jars and two-piece caps and lids by washing them in soapy water and rinsing them well. For safety in handling the jars, take care to prevent sudden temperature changes that could crack the jars. Keep jars warm while preparing fruit by placing them in hot water changing, water as it cools. A dishwasher may also be used to wash jars and keep them warm.
  2. Select firm, unblemished berries. Wash and rinse thoroughly, cut off stems discard, any soft or blemished berries. Mash, strawberries in a large bowl with potato masher.
  3. Combine berries and sugar in a large sauce pot. Bring slowly to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Cook rapidly until thick, about 40 minutes skimming froth occasionally, as mixture thickens, stir frequently to prevent sticking.
  4. Pour into warm jars allowing one ¼ inch space at the top of the jar between the top of the lid and the top of the jam. Whip away any residue from the top edge and threads of the jar with a clean, damp cloth. Place lids on mouth of jars screw the band down firmly, so that it is hand tight.
  5. Place jars in two perforated steam pans and place in steam oven. Cook on Steam Cooking at 212°F for 20 minutes use the residual heat by leaving the jars in the oven for another 20 minutes after turning the oven off. Carefully remove hot jars from steam oven. Cool jars upright on cloths or wooden board. A slight pinging sound may be heard as jars cool, indicating that a vacuum has formed, sealing the food. The center of the lid is pulled down by the vacuum, creating a slight concave surface. If you are not sure the surface of the lid is concave, remove screw band and push down in the center. If it does not push down, the jar is sealed. If it pushes down but then springs up, the jar is not sealed properly. Improperly sealed jars should be stored in the refrigerator.
  6. When jars are fully cooled, (12-24 hours) remove screw bands and check the seal. Sealed jars should be stored without the screw band in a cool dry place up to a year.