Homemade Apple Jam
Make Delicious Apple Jam at Home: Transform Even Older Apples!
Simply incomparable to store-bought apple jam! Introducing a recipe for fresh, healthy apple jam made right in your own kitchen. Create a delicious apple jam that the whole family will love.
Main Ingredients
- 4 ripe apples (slightly soft or bruised apples are great too!)
- 400g granulated or brown sugar (adjust based on apple sweetness)
- 60ml fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/5 Tbsp cinnamon powder (optional, adjust or omit to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, peel the apples completely, remove the core, and dice them into small pieces about 1 to 1.5 cm in size. Apples that are slightly soft or have minor bruises are perfectly fine for making jam; they often result in a smoother, more delicious jam! Freshest apples are best enjoyed raw.
Step 2
Transfer the diced apples to a pot or pan for making jam. You can use a non-stick wok, a saucepan, or a deep frying pan – any cooking vessel will work. Choose a pot that’s slightly larger than you think you’ll need, as the jam will reduce as it cooks.
Step 3
Add enough sugar to cover the apples. Generally, you’ll use about 80-100% of the apple’s weight in sugar, but you can adjust this based on the sweetness of the apples and your personal preference. This is approximately 2 paper cups of sugar. As you add sugar, the apples will start to release their juices.
Step 4
Pour in 60ml of fresh lemon juice. Lemon juice helps regulate the jam’s acidity, which improves its shelf life. It also enhances the subtle apple flavor and prevents the jam from becoming overly sweet. The acidity from the lemon juice means you don’t need to add any extra water.
Step 5
Optionally, add about 1/5 tablespoon of cinnamon powder. Cinnamon adds a wonderful depth and warmth to the apple jam, but if you don’t like the flavor or don’t have it on hand, feel free to omit it. It certainly adds a unique charm if you choose to include it.
Step 6
Combine all ingredients and begin cooking over medium-low heat. For the first 15 minutes, stir occasionally as the apples soften and break down. Once the apples are tender, reduce the heat slightly and continue to cook for another 10 minutes until the jam thickens to your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, cook longer; if it’s too thick, you can add a few more apple pieces. Enjoy your delicious homemade apple jam!
Step 7
Sterilize the glass jars you’ll be using to store the jam. To do this safely, place a clean kitchen towel or paper towels at the bottom of a pot. This helps prevent the jars from clanking against the pot as it boils and reduces the risk of the glass breaking due to sudden temperature changes. Fill the pot with enough water to cover the jars and boil for about 5 minutes. Once sterilized, thoroughly dry the jars. Pouring the hot jam directly into hot, dry jars creates a good seal, which helps the jam stay fresh for longer.
