raspberry jam {tutorial + printable labels}
I’ve been wanting to make homemade jam for a few years, but was intimidated by the intense process of preparing the jars, boiling the liquid, timing everything just right.
But last weekend my Aunt Laura eased my fears and clued me in to the quick and easy way to make berry jam … freezer jam. Since raspberries are perfectly in season, I decided to give it a try. If you have never made jam before, let me encourage you … it is super easy.
Here’s what you’ll need:
:: 6 cups of fresh raspberries {about 5 6oz baskets}
:: 5 1/4 cups sugar
:: 3/4 cup water
:: 1 box of Sure Jell Fruit Pectin
::8 half pint mason jars
The actual recipe I used is right here, but I’ll walk you though the steps below.
STEP ONE: rinse jars in boiling water and dry thoroughly
STEP TWO: measure 6 cups of ripe raspberries and mash
STEP THREE: strain seeds
I didn’t have much patience for the straining process, so I gave up after a few sieve-fulls, but you can remove as many seeds as you wish.
STEP FOUR: add sugar to berries
It is a lot of sugar, but from what I read, the sugar acts as a preservative for the berries so you can’t skimp. If you’d like a sugar free version, Sure Jell sells a no-sugar-needed pectin.
While the sugar is dissolving in the berries …
STEP FIVE: add the fruit pectin to water and bring to a boil
Stir constantly and allow to boil for one minute.
STEP SIX: Add pectin to berry mixture and stir for three minutes
STEP SEVEN: pour jam into prepared jars and seal tightly
Allow the jam to sit out for 24 hours, then it is ready to eat. You can store an opened container in the refrigerator for up to three weeks and in the freezer for one year.
I had a fun time decorating my jars of jam using scraps of fabric, bakers twine {from here}, flax colored yarn, houndstooth & dotted papers from my printable paper collection, and a faux raspberry from the craft store.
What special gifts these will make {maybe with some fisher scone mix? Yum}.
I created two different labels that you are welcome to download and print:
{click on the image to download the pdf}
And just in case you are making strawberry jam, here are labels for that:
Just to show you behind the scenes while I’m doing craft projects, here is what my office looked like while I was embellishing my jam jars. What a mess!
Christina
Blackberry jam is delicious too!!
Marchauna
This is such an easy recipe! And the step-by-step instructions are great. My girls and I tried it this morning. What a great time we had. Thank you very much for posting this tutorial. It is almost as good as having you with me in the kitchen.
Deidre
I love your labels! I have some blackberry jam that I wish to give as Christmas gifts. Is there any way of downloading some Blackberry Jam labels?
Brenda Mulju
Love this! I’ve been looking for an idea for jam/labels for my Mom’s bridal shower next April. I’m having a tea party and wanted to give out homemade jam as favors. This is perfect! Thank you!
carrie may
I LOVE your round labels….they are too cute!! Just made my first batch of strawberry cranberry jam and would love to use your labels. Is is possible to customize the download that you posted?
You are very creative….thank you!
S. Caulder
FYI: The raspberry jam circle label page is missing. Just thought I would let you know. Love your labels. I made jams for Christmas last year and they were a BIG hit. Thanks for the creative labels.
S. Caulder
Victoria
These are beautiful! Can’t wait for raspberry season!
Laurie
So glad you’re spreading the love of canning! I got into it a couple years ago and fell madly in love! To make sure your jam is safe, listen for the “pop” noise as they seal. If the jam is hot enough, they should do it on their own. Any that don’t pop just need to be stored in the fridge and eaten in a couple weeks. That shouldn’t be too taxing, considering how gorgeous and yummy your jam looks!
Thanks for the labels. They are darling! Can you tell me what font you used for the “Homemade” part on the circle labels? I’ve been searching for a font or stamp like that for months for a scrapbook page I’m doing. It’s driving me crazy!
Laurie
Oops! Just realized you’re making freezer jam, so you don’t need to worry about popping! Sorry about that! If you ever do try making that kind, though, it’s not much more work than this, and the popping noise is adorable!
Lisa
I want to make these as a thank you gift for my friends. What kind of paper do you print it on? Just regular paper? And how do you get it to stick on the jar? Glue?
emily
You can print on cardstock and attach with glue or sticky dots. Or full sheet sticker paper is great because then you can stick it directly on the jar.
Miss D.
I there!!! You’ve made lovely labels, don’t you have them for customization?
Have a lovely day
Sheri
Can you tell me where to get the flag label at? It’s the long skinny one with the little raspberry on it? I’m actually doing strawberry jam as party favors for a bridal shower. Thanks sheri