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Every fall there are a few batches of preserves that just happen naturally. When the apples on our tree are ready, I make apple butter. When I find good pears at my favorite local farm, pear butter goes on the stove. When cranberries show up in the store, cranberry apple butter is close behind. This is a collection of fall jams, butters, and preserves built around the fruits that actually come into the kitchen this time of year.
On top of that, they make for wonderful homemade gifts that can easily be shipped as needed (check out these other homemade food gifts to ship).
Making seasonal preserves is a great way to fill the pantry with nutritiional and delicious items to fill out our seasonal meal plans throughout the year.
Fall Preserves
Use this list of simple and sometimes unusual jam recipes to fill beautiful jars for your pantry and for sharing with loved ones neaar and far. All of the following recipes can be preserved in a water bath canner (and some even frozen) making them great recipes for the beginner jam maker and seasoned canners alike.
Apple Preserves
A staple in any pantry these apple preserves are the best way to use up extra apples from picking. Use a variety of different apples for a broad range of flavors or stick to your favorite blend for a classic taste. Regardless, these apple preserves make the perfect addition to any meal.
Maple Apple Butter
Skip the sugar and enjoy the delicious pairing of maple syrup and fresh apples. This apple butter adds only a hint of sweetness to the food it’s paired with but its lightly spiced flavor packs a punch. Because it is pureed in a food processor or blender, you can leave the apple peels on and save yourself tons of time!
Chunky Apple Sauce
An easy canning recipe to customize this is great for beginners because it’s just so incredibly simple. Made with only apples, water, and lemon juice you get to skip the peeling and pre-treating but still enjoy all to crisp apple flavor. Grab your potato masher for a perfect way to get the texture that matches your personal preference.
Apple Pie Filling
A staple for any pantry this preserves allows you to whip up dessert in a pinch! This base recipe can be spiced to your liking but will save you time when you need a dessert in a pinch. Easy to make and perfect for gifting to other bakers for a taste of home.
Sloe & Apple Jam
Both tart and sweet this autumn jam requires no pectin or jam sugar! Sloe and apples go together beautifully as one’s sweetness compliments the other so that you’re left with a delicious spread perfect for any slice of homemade bread or charcuterie board.
How to Can Apple Cider at Home
Savor the taste of fresh fruit flavor all winter long with this canning recipe. Boil it down and spice it with cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg for a cozy, mulled cider flavor you can enjoy anytime.
No Sugar Apple Jelly
A jelly recipe that’s delicious as is and perfect for using with peanut butter sandwiches. This preserve recipe needs no added sugar for its flavor but instead uses apple juice as its base! Make this in multiple batches and switch up the kind of apples you use for a unique taste each time.
Cranberry Preserves
Though a classic cranberry sauce is a pantry staple, here you’ll find muchmore! Fresh cranberries add a hint of tartness to their dishes but paired with other fruits and spices they can transition into a versatile condiment.
Cranberry Apple Butter
This easy twist on cranberry apple jam is made in a slow cooker for hands-off thickening that requires no added pectin. Be sure to spread this sweet and tangy concotion on warm toast wtih cream cheese for a great start to chilly mornings.
Cranberry Honey Mustard
Your condiment table just got better! This honey mustard is going to become a staple in your fridge because of the delicious tangy but sweet flavor it brings. Plus, the color of this homemade preserve makes it a fun one to gift to friends as it brightens up any table.
Christmas Jam
All the flavors of your favorite season in just one jar. Tart cranberries paired with strawberry jam and light spices to make a delicious homemade jam perfect for sharing during the holidays!
Pear Preserves
Anything you can make with apples you can whip up with pears for a whole new flavor! These pear preserves bring plenty of warm and delicious flavor for you to enjoy throughout the winter months.
Pear Butter
Delicately spiced with ginger and vanilla beans this pear butter uses whole spices in a slow cooking process to bring out its flavor. This makes it so that the subtle taste of fresh pears is still at the forefront of your tongue and not overpowered.
Small Batch Pear Jam
Flavored with lavender and cardamom pods, and the perfect addition to a hot bowl of oatmeal or whipped-up pancakes. This sweet jam recipe is made in small batches to make it easier for anyone new to canning.
Cranberry Pear Jam
Grab the most overripe pears you can find to help create a perfect balance of sweet and tart. This jam uses both cranberries as well as cranberry fruit juice to bring out the perfect fall flavor in every bite. Be sure to pair this with crackers and goat cheese on party trays.
Ginger Pear Preserves
You only need an hour of cooking time to make these homemade preserves! All the taste of juicy pears combined with a hint of subtle ginger flavor. The perfect addition to any breakfast or baked dish.
Fig Preserves
Sweet and honey-like figs make an ideal preserve. These preserves work well paired with both sweet and savory recipes and will bring a light, autumnal feel to any dish they’re paired with.
Fresh Fig Jam
Infused with fresh rosemary and red wine this jam is one you’ll want to have on hand. It comes together in about one hour and with a delicious flavor that’s perfect for melted cheese sandwiches and cheese boards.
Fig Preserves with Vanilla Bean
A classic jam recipe with a subtle infusion of vanilla. This preserve is a thoughtful gift for anyone who likes to be in the kitchen cooking creative ways and making delicious food.
Honey Maple Fig Jam
This one will give your taste buds something to celebrate about! A jam recipe that’s sweetened with both maple syrup and honey to bring you the best of both worlds. These sweeteners help bring out the fresh, natural flavor of figs that everyone enjoys.
Wonderful list! I just bought some cranberries and I love the idea of the brandied cranberry sauce you mention. Thanks for the ideas =)
Oh, I’m jealous. We don’t have cranberries available yet and I’m chomping at the bit for them. Enjoy!
Kathie, I have a wonderful preserve to share. It sounded a bit odd when I first thought of it but it is a huge hit in my family. Butternut squash butter. I make it just like apple or pear butter but I use cooked, mashed squash. Everyone turned up their noses when I told them what it was but, the whole jar was gone after breakfast! I’ve also made persimmon butter too. Can’t quite get my mind around Brussel sprout butter but, you don’t know until you try. LOL
Dee
I have made pumpkin butter and it is awesome! Thanks so much for sharing.