Description
This refreshing Strawberry Freezer Jam is a quick and easy preserve made from fresh strawberries, lemon juice, sugar, and fruit pectin. Prepared without cooking the strawberries down extensively, this jam captures the vibrant taste and texture of fresh fruit, perfect for spreading on toast or dolloping on desserts. With minimal cooking time and simple ingredients, it’s an ideal recipe for the strawberry season.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 2 cups crushed fresh strawberries (about 1 pound)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Sugar and Pectin
- 4 cups white sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 (1.75-ounce) box Sure-Jell Fruit Pectin
Instructions
- Crush Strawberries: Hull the strawberries and place them in a large bowl. Use a potato masher or cocktail muddler to crush the strawberries thoroughly but not to the point of purée. Measure exactly 2 cups of crushed strawberries for the recipe.
- Mix Lemon Juice and Sugar: Add 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice to the crushed strawberries and stir well. Add 4 cups of white sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Let the mixture stand for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to help dissolve the sugar further.
- Prepare Pectin Mixture: In a small saucepan, combine 3/4 cup water with the entire box of fruit pectin. Place the pan over high heat and stir constantly to dissolve any lumps. Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil and maintain boiling for 1 full minute while stirring continuously. Then remove the pan from heat.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the hot pectin mixture into the bowl with strawberries and sugar. Stir continuously for about 3 minutes until all sugar crystals have dissolved, ensuring the jam is smooth and not grainy.
- Jar and Set: Spoon the jam into five clean 8-ounce freezer-safe jars or containers, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top for expansion. Loosely cover the jars and let them sit at room temperature for 24 hours to allow the jam to set properly. After setting, seal the jars tightly.
- Storage: Store the sealed jam in the refrigerator where it will keep for 3 to 4 weeks, or in the freezer where it will remain good for up to one year.
Notes
- Use only fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and consistency.
- Measuring exactly 2 cups of crushed strawberries is crucial for proper jam setting.
- Make sure to stir pectin constantly while boiling to prevent lumps and burning.
- Freezer-safe jars are recommended to prevent cracking during freezing and expansion.
- Do not overfill jars, as the jam will expand when frozen.
- The jam sets at room temperature and does not require traditional cooking down on the stove.
