Description
This Caramel Apple Jam is a delightful homemade spread featuring finely chopped apples cooked with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to create a rich, warmly spiced flavor. Perfect for breakfast or as a holiday gift, this jam combines the sweetness of caramelized sugar with the tartness of fresh apples for an irresistible treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Base
- 6 cups peeled, cored, and finely chopped apples (about 6 medium apples)
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Jam Set and Sweeteners
- 1 package (1.75 oz) fruit pectin (like Sure-Jell)
- 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
Spices and Add-ins
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon butter (optional, to reduce foaming)
Instructions
- Prepare the fruit: In a large saucepan or jam pot, combine the peeled, cored, and finely chopped apples with water and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples become soft and tender.
- Add fruit pectin: Stir in the fruit pectin thoroughly, ensuring it is well incorporated into the softened apples. Bring the mixture back to a full rolling boil, which is a boil that cannot be stirred down.
- Mix in sugars and spices: Quickly stir in the granulated sugar, packed brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and butter if using. Return the mixture to a full rolling boil and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning and clumping.
- Remove foam and jar the jam: Remove the saucepan from the heat and skim off any foam from the surface. Immediately ladle the hot jam into sterilized half-pint jars, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace at the top for expansion during processing.
- Seal and process jars: Wipe the rims of the jars clean, apply sterilized lids and bands. Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure safe preservation.
- Cool and store: Carefully remove the jars from the water bath and let them cool completely on a towel or rack. Once cooled, check the seals by pressing the center of each lid; sealed lids will not flex. Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place and refrigerate after opening.
Notes
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for a balanced, complex flavor in your jam.
- This jam pairs wonderfully with toast, biscuits, pancakes, or even as a topping for vanilla ice cream.
- Make extra batches for gifting during the holidays; it makes a delicious and thoughtful homemade present.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Stovetop, Canning
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
