Making Old Fashioned Sweetheart Fruit Jam

Homemade Fruit Jam

Have you ever tried sweetheart jam? It is an old fashioned fruit jam that is made from a delicious blend of fruits.Typically it is made from the jam makers favorite fruits. So there is no right or wrong fruit combination.

We are using cherries, raspberries and strawberries. This will give us a beautiful red color for Valentines Day. Give your sweetie a sweet right?

Ingredients For Jam Making:

• sugar
• variety of fruits (we used raspberries, pitted cherries, strawberries)
• pectin
• butter

Do I Need To Use Pectin?

If you are using strawberries, raspberries and cherries like we did, you will want to add pectin. If you are using berries that have natural pectin, (like blackberries, currents, gooseberries, apples), pectin would not be needed. Compare recipes of making singular berry jam and if they require pectin or not.

Can I Use Mixed Fruit In Sweetheart Jam?

Yes. This homemade jam came from jam makers favorite fruits. So mixing fruits is expected.

My Homemade Jam Did Not Set

Jam can take 24-48 hours to set. The problem is you can only reprocess within 24 hours. I will give jam over night to set, or be reproccessed. This involves, removing the jam from the jars, washing the jars. The jam goes back into the pot on medium heat and is brought to a rolling boil with 3 Tablespoons of pectin and add sugar (2 cups). If your jam is already sweet enough, you do not need to add and a Tablespoon of lemon juice. Bring the jam to a boil and let it boil for a full long minute. Rejar the jam, with new seals and bands back on the jars. Waterbath again. If it doesn’t set completely, you have a soft set jam. If you don’t want reprocess at all, you have a softset jam.

Can Sweetheart Jam Be Soft-set?

Abosolutely. Berries with natural pectin will likely set easier than those that don’t. I recommend added when working with a mix of berries if you want to have the best chance of the jam setting. The combination of berries we used did not set hard. It is a soft-set, even after reprocessing. The jam is not ruined when soft-set. It comes out of the jar easier. It tastes and acts just as firm jam.

Do I Remove Seeds When Making Jam?

Jam is typically made without removing edible seeds. Obviously cherry pits and seeds from grapes and apricots would be removed because they are not typically ate. Jams have seeds, jellies dont.

Do I Use Whole Fruit?

You need chopped fruit for this recipe. Take the whole fruit and crush it. Do not puree it. Doing this will result in your measurements being off and you will end up doubling your recipe without realizing it. Too much pectin to fruit could cause your jam to not set. You want the fruit in small pieces, so a fine chop (especially for fruits with skin, like cherry and blueberries)

Can I Use Frozen Fruit For Jam?

You can use frozen fruit. Allow the fruit to thaw and see if it is still whole afterwards. I have found that fruit typically loses its structure and doesn’t needs to be chopped if thawed.

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Old-Fashioned Sweetheart Jam Recipe

This old-fashioned sweetheart jam is smooth, spreadable, and perfect for toast. Learn what it is and how to make it at home.

Course: Canning

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 half pints

Author: Regina Sober

Equipment

• Dutch Oven Pot
• canning utensils
• Half pint jars, seals and lids
• Clean Tea Towels
• paper towels
• Water Bath Canner
• Blender
• hand chopper

Ingredients

• 9 cups your favorite berries, thawed we used strawberries, raspberries and pitted cherries
• 4 1/2 Tablespoons pectin
• 1/2 teaspoon butter
• 6 cups sugar

Instructions

• Fill your water bath canner full of water and begin heating the water.
• Have your jars, blands and lids ready and a wet paper towl as well.
• Wash strawberries and cut the tops off and wash other berries.
• Use your hand chopper and round chop the berries and measure
• Place the berries into your Dutch pot (or a large pot that will allow the jam to rise when it boils).
• Add the pectin and butter, stirring together on medium heat.
• Stir the puree and once the mix hits a full rolling boil (a boil that when you stir, it won't stop), add the sugar.
• Stir the jam to keep it from burning and sticking to the sides.
• Get your clean jars prepared to fill. Place your baking sheet under it to keep your counter clean.
• When the jam begins a rolling boil (a boil you can't stir it down), set a timer for 1 minute.
• Allow the jam to boil, and stir constantly to prevent the bottom from burning.
• After a minute, turn off the heat and skim off any foam that may be on top of the jam.
• Using your canning funnel, fill the jars, leaving 1/4" headspace from the top.
• Wipe the jar rim with a clean wet towel. (you can also use vinegar on the rim).
• Place the seal and band on the jar and hand tighten.
• The water in the water bath canner should be hot now. Place the jars into the hot water bath and allow to process for 10 minutes.
• Once done, let the jars sit for 5 minutes in the water bath (that is turned off) and then remove the jars.
• Place a towel down and place the processed jars on the towel and cover them.
• Allow the jars to cool slowly for 12 to 24 hours.
• Confirm the jars have sealed, date and label.
• Remove the bands and store.

Video

Notes

Covering the jars with a towel helps the jam cool slowly. It also keeps any changes in temperature from causing a thermal shock to the jars (to prevent breaking).