The idea of strawberry maple jam has been on my mind for months. I wanted something that would be flavorful without being overly sweet. An something easy during the busy strawberry harvest and gardening months. This recipe turned out perfectly and is one that will be great in the pantry and as gifts later.
Pureed Strawberries
Most strawberry jam recipes start with crushing the berries. I do this myself in my favorite honey vanilla strawberry jam recipe.
It’s easy enough but that jam can often separate leaving more whole berries at the top and a strawberry jelly at the bottom of each jar. Not the worst thing in the world but not necessarily ideal either.
With this recipe, the berries are pureed first leaving a smooth consistency kind of like a jelly but without juicing and straining first. I don’t make many jellies because I’m not a fan of the process much at all. Remember, we all need easy wins, myself included.
Real Maple Syrup
This is the place for real maple syrup. Honestly, skip the maple-flavored stuff and go for the real deal. I know it can be expensive but it’s worth it here.
I happen to be blessed with maple trees that we tap but there are amazing small producers that will give you something wonderful to use here.
Low-Sugar Pectin
I used pectin here because I wanted the jam to set while also keeping a vibrant flavor. Cooking it until gel-point felt wrong for the bright strawberry flavor I envisioned.
I used the Real Fruit Low Sugar Pectin from Ball. Did you know you can buy it buy the jar now, not just the single boxes? Apparently I was a little behind the times but this stuff is pretty great and provided a wonderful set and texture for this strawberry maple jam.
Other Berry Options
I did not test this recipe with anything but strawberries, yet. However, I believe it could be a success with most any berry you available or even a mix. Use what you have.
Perfectly Suited for Gift Giving
This is an ideal for gift giving. Absolutely save some for your own pantry but make a couple of batches to tuck into care packages and gift baskets later too. A jar of this jam with a loaf of homemade peanut butter bread might just be the ideal gift for many.
Strawberry Maple Jam
Make a quick and delicious preserve with this easy strawberry maple jam recipe. Lightly sweetened and full of flavor, it's sure to be a pantry favorite.
Ingredients
- 3 ⅔ Cup Pureed Strawberries (approximately 6 cups whole strawberries)
- 1 ½ Tablespoons Lemon Juice
- 3 Tablespoons Real Fruit Low Sugar Pectin from Ball
- ¾ Cup Maple Syrup
Instructions
- Get canner ready (start the water boiling). Prepare jars, lids, rings.
- In a heavy saucepan, combine the pureed strawberries and lemon juice.
- Whisk in the pectin, making sure to get rid of any lumps.
- Set the mixture over high heat and bring to a boil. Stirring constantly. Cook until the boil cannot be stirred down.
- Add the maple syrup and bring back to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute and then remove from heat.
- Pour the jam mixture into prepared jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
- Wipe down rims, place lids, and tighten rings.
- Process in boiling water canner for 10 minutes (adjusting for elevation).
Peter
Thursday 23rd of May 2024
I made this recipe. Not the first time I made strawberry jam with Maple syrup. I really don't know what "cook until the boil cannot be stirred down" means. I may have over cooked it. Also I got an awful lot of foam that I had to deal with. Bit that happened last time I made this too. I think either times or temperatures would be helpful. Also, I guess my mistake, the pectin said "low sugar" but when I kept reading after it was too late, I read "low or no sugar sugar needed." It had dextrose in it, which is actually not good.
Mary L
Tuesday 7th of June 2022
Would this recipe work with other fruits? I just bought a home and was blessed with a peach, apricot and pear tree. I guess learning to can is in my future. Ha. So thanks for any tips. Oh, and do you have to use pectin? thanks again.
Kathie Lapcevic
Tuesday 7th of June 2022
It might work with different fruits but I haven't tested it. As for making jam without pectin it is possible but it's an entirely different process than described in this recipe.
Molly
Wednesday 5th of January 2022
I can't find the liquid low-sugar pectin, so I'm going to try with Pomona's Universal pectin, which is a dry pectin. But, it should work, as Pomona's has Blueberry Maple recipes on their website. Fingers crossed!
Kathie Lapcevic
Sunday 16th of January 2022
Pomona's is pretty great stuff, I'd love to hear if it worked for you.
Tj
Saturday 8th of May 2021
A friend of mine and I were looking at This recipe. She was asking if this could be done using a Slow Cooker instead of a stove? She was Just curious
Kathie Lapcevic
Sunday 9th of May 2021
No, not for this recipe. The pectin needs to boil and boil quickly - the slow cooker isn't going to work for that.
Nicole
Saturday 14th of March 2020
Hi! I love to make freezer jam, but my tried and true recipe calls for sugar. We're trying to cut back on the white stuff and your recipe looks amazing. Would this be suitable to freeze, or would it have to be processed in a canner? Thanks!
Kathie Lapcevic
Sunday 15th of March 2020
I haven't tried it with this recipe so I can't confidently say.