Basic Homemade Strawberry Jam

• Produce

  • 2 1/2 cups Strawberries

• Condiments

  • 1/4 cup Lemon juice, bottled

• Baking & Spices

  • 3 1/2 cups Granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp Pectin

• Other

  • 2 (12 ounce glass Preserving jars with lids and bands

Found on cookingbride.com

Description

Ingredients

• 2-1/2 cups crushed strawberries (about 3 pints)
• ¼ cup bottled lemon juice
• 3 tablespoon pectin (I used Sure Jell)
• 3-1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 (12 ounce) glass preserving jars with lids and bands

Directions

• Fill a large stockpot with enough water to completely cover the tops of your jars. Heat water over high heat until it comes to a rolling boil.
• In the meantime, fill another stockpot with water and bring to a simmer. Place jars and lids in the simmering water and leave them until you are ready to fill. This preheats the jars to prevent breakage when you pour your hot liquid into them later. This also prepares the sealing compound in the lids. DO NOT LET THE WATER COME TO A BOIL, or you will activate the lids and render them useless before you even get started.
• Place sliced strawberries in a 6- or 8-quart saucepan. Crush strawberries using a potato masher.
• Stir in lemon juice, then gradually add pectin.
• Bring mixture to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly.
• Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Return mixture to a boil. Continue to boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove pan from heat. Skim foam if desired.
• Ladle hot jam into two hot jars leaving ¼ inch headspace*. Wipe the rim of the jar with a clean, damp rag. Center the lid on jar. Carefully screw on the band until fit is fingertip tight.
• Process jars the pot of boiling water for 10 minutes. Remove jars and allow to cool. Once the jars cool, the vacuum seal will form and you will hear the lids “ping” once the seal is complete. Check the lids after 24 hours to make sure the lids do not flex up and down when the center is pressed.