Homemade Jam or Jelly Recipe Using Sure Jell Fruit Pectin - Cooking for the Holidays (2024)

  • Cynthia
  • March 25, 2024
  • Breakfast
  • 29 Replies

When I was a little girl, I “helped” my grandmother make homemade jams and jellies. As soon as we picked fresh fruit, I knew we would start making jam soon. I always enjoyed working with my grandmother regardless of the job. However, making homemade jam was one of my favorite chores because it yielded delicious jam for months to come.

After I married, I missed making jam and jelly with my grandmother each summer. I also missed having wonderful jam stockpiled for the winter. While we could always buy them at the grocery store, none of it tastes as good as homemade.

When a neighbor gifted me with a jar of her homemade jam, my heart yearned for my own again. I started that very summer, 30 years ago, making homemade jam in my own kitchen.

Also, Homemade Jam makes a wonderful gift for friends & family!

Easy Homemade Jam Recipe

The key to making wonderful homemade jam or jelly is using Sure Jell Fruit Pectin. Each packet added to 2 – 3 cups of finely chopped fruit fills 6 small jars.

I prefer the freezer recipe because I can store my homemade jam in the freezer until I am ready to serve it. Back in the days of cooking with my grandmother, we used the cooked recipe that is included in each box of Sure Jell fruit pectin. In my case, sadly, I don’t have a large pantry for storage of dozens of jars of preserves. However, I do have a large freezer with plenty of room.

The Freezer Jam Recipe I Use

Recently, I made peach jam, therefore those are the pictures I will use in this article. However, you can use peaches, strawberries, apricots, blueberries, cherries, grapes, pears, plums, or raspberries. The amount of fruit and sugar does vary for each fruit. Check the list below for quantities needed for anything other than peaches.

Jam Time

Prep TimeCook TimeReady InYields
45 min.Pectin/Water: 1 min boil
27 hours
6 – 8 oz jars

Sure-Jell Premium Fruit Pectin, 1.75 Ounce Box (Pack of 4)Check Price

Ingredients for Peach Jam Recipe

  • 2¼ Cups Chopped Peaches
  • 2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 5 Cups of Sugar
  • 1 Box Sure Jell Fruit Pectin
  • ¾ Cup Water
  • Freezer Canning Jars ( 6 – 8oz. freezer-safe canning jars)

Peach Jam Preparation

  1. Rinse clean freezer canning jars with boiling water
  2. Finely chop 6-8 peaches (depends of size of peaches. You need 2¼ cups chopped peaches) – If you use a potato masher, or food processor set pulse to chop, not puree
  3. Stir Lemon Juice into Fruit
  4. Stir Sugar into prepared Fruit
  5. Let stand for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally
  6. After the 10 min., mix ¾ cup water & Sure Jell in a sauce pan
  7. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly
  8. Immediately stir Sure Jell mixture into prepared fruit mixture. Stir constantly for 3 minutes
  9. Fill jars quickly to ½” of top
  10. Wipe off top edges of containers and cover with lids
  11. Let stand at room temperature for 24 hrs.
  12. Freeze for up to 1 year & thaw in refrigerator
  13. Refrigerate for 3 weeks (it is not necessary to freeze it first. I usually put one jar in my refrigerator for immediate use and store the rest in the freezer.)

Note: I noticed that the new recipes inside the box are slightly different from the original recipe I use. It calls for more fruit and less sugar. For peaches, they list 3 cups of chopped peaches to 4½ cups sugar. Sounds like a great change to me even though I haven’t tried it yet.

Other Fruit & Sugar Options for Jam Recipes

Apricot – 2½ cups chopped apricots & 5½ cups sugar

Blackberry – 3 cups crushed blackberries & 5¼ cups sugar

Blueberry – 3 cups chopped blueberries & 5¼ cups sugar

Cherry – 2 cups finely chopped cherries & 4 cups sugar

Mango – 3 cups mashed mango & 5 cups sugar

Red Raspberry – 3 cups crushed raspberries & 5¼ cups sugar

Strawberry – 2 cups crushed strawberries & 4 cups sugar

Jelly Recipes

Apple – 3 cups apple juice & 5 cups sugar

Grape – 3 cups grape juice & 5¼ cups sugar

Recommended Jam Freezer Jars

I prefer the Ball brand of jelly jars. That choice may have more to do with longevity of experience. It is the only freezer jar I have ever used. However, I can tell you that I have never had any problems with the Ball jars and I love the quilted appearance of the jars.

Ball Mason 8oz Quilted Jelly Jars with Lids and Bands, Set of 12Check Price

Originally posted 2018-06-13 16:52:56.

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Tags: easy jam recipeeasy jelly recipefeaturedfreezer jam recipeHomemade Jam or Jelly RecipeHomemade Jam RecipeHomemade peach jam recipehomemade strawberry jam recipeSure Jel Fruit Pectin

Homemade Jam or Jelly Recipe Using Sure Jell Fruit Pectin - Cooking for the Holidays (2024)

FAQs

How to use sure jell pectin? ›

Mix Sure-Jell Fruit Pectin in- to fruit. Bring to a hard boil over high heat, stirring constantly. At once stir in sugar. Bring to a full rolling boil and boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly.

What happens if you add too much pectin to jelly? ›

You will need approximately half the amount of pectin that is indicated by your recipe. Please be careful when adding pectin as too much will leave you with a set that is too solid and it is not possible to rectify this so always add less than you think is necessary and test the set and then add more if required.

How much powdered pectin to use in jelly? ›

Measure 1 tablespoon water and 1 ½ teaspoons powdered pectin for each cup of jelly or jam. Place in small saucepan and place over low heat, stirring, until the powdered pectin is dissolved. Add to the sugar and fruit mixture and stir until thoroughly blended (about 2 to 3 minutes). Pour into clean containers.

How to use sure jell in jam? ›

Put 5 cups of crushed strawberries into a large pot. Add one box of SURE JELL and 1 tsp of butter to the pot and bring to a rolling boil, stirring continually. Add 7 cups of sugar and bring back to a rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring continually.

How much sure jell to use for jelly? ›

Stir 1 box SURE-JELL PREMIUM FRUIT PECTIN and ¾ cup water in small sauce pan. (Pectin may start out lumpy) Bring to boil on high heat, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute, stirring occasionally.

What are the side effects of too much pectin? ›

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Pectin is commonly consumed in food amounts. It is possibly safe when used in larger amounts for up to one year. It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include diarrhea, gas, and stomachcramps.

What happens if you boil pectin too long? ›

- Overcooking is a problem that, it destroys the gelling capacity of the pectin.

Can too much pectin hurt you? ›

Fruit pectin has been associated with potential side effects like gas, bloating, or abdominal discomfort. It could also affect digestion in some cases. Be careful about taking supplements and using commercially available pectin mixes, especially if you're allergic to certain high-pectin fruits like apples and oranges.

What is the best pectin to use for jam? ›

Pick the Perfect Pectin for the Job

If you want a jam that tastes like fruit, then use a pectin formulated for using less sugar. In my opinion, Ball's low-sugar pectin is the most convenient commercial pectin to use; it is found wherever canning supplies are sold and online.

Does it matter if you add sugar before pectin? ›

Here's a simple rule of thumb: When using powdered pectin for cooked jam, add it to the strained juice or chopped fruit BEFORE heating. Next, bring the mixture to a full rolling boil (a boil that cannot be stirred down). THEN add the sugar.

When to add powdered pectin to jam? ›

Liquid pectin is added to the cooked fruit and sugar mixture immediately after it is removed from the heat. Powdered pectin is added to the unheated crushed fruit. Liquid and powder pectin cannot be interchanged in a recipe. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's recipes and instructions.

What is the secret to making jelly? ›

Jellies are produced by extracting the juice from fruits and then adding sugar and lemon juice (or another acid), while pectin is added to help it solidify. Unlike jams, jellies are known for their heightened sweetness, which is achieved by cooking the fruit over low heat for an extended period.

How much pectin per quart of jelly? ›

For each quart of jam or jelly, mix ¼ cup of sugar, ½ cup of water, 2 tablespoons of bottled lemon juice, and 4 teaspoons of powdered pectin. Bring to a boil while stirring. Add jam or jelly and bring to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Boil hard for ½ minute.

How long to cook jelly after adding pectin? ›

Boil the mixture hard for 1 minute. Remove jelly from the heat, skim, pour into hot containers, and seal. To remake without added pectin: Heat the jelly to a boil and boil for a few minutes.

When should pectin be added to jam? ›

Liquid pectin is added to the cooked fruit and sugar mixture immediately after it is removed from the heat. Powdered pectin is added to the unheated crushed fruit. Liquid and powder pectin cannot be interchanged in a recipe. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's recipes and instructions.

Does pectin have to boil to activate? ›

"Powdered pectin traditionally should be added to the fruit pre-boiling, while liquid pectin must be added to the hot liquid mixture near the end of boiling," she says, adding, "Liquid pectin also has a shorter shelf life." But they're not entirely different — both dried and liquid pectin are made from citrus peels, ...

Do you add pectin before or after sugar? ›

Here's a simple rule of thumb: When using powdered pectin for cooked jam, add it to the strained juice or chopped fruit BEFORE heating. Next, bring the mixture to a full rolling boil (a boil that cannot be stirred down). THEN add the sugar. Bring to a boil again and boil for 1 minute.

How do you use pectin as a thickener? ›

If you want to thicken a soup or sauce that contains sugar, add about 1/8 teaspoon of high-methoxyl powdered pectin per cup of liquid, then boil it for about 30 seconds to activate. Use pectin sparingly. When used excessively, pectin causes the liquids it thickens to develop a high-gloss sheen and to set like gelatin.

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