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Strawberry jam is a summer staple in my kitchen, and this version with honey and vanilla has become the one I reach for most. The honey keeps it from being cloyingly sweet, the vanilla adds just enough warmth to make it feel like something a little more special than a standard jar of jam, and the whole batch comes together in about 30 minutes. This recipe makes 6 half pints which is enough to stock the pantry and have a jar or two to give away.
Pectin
Strawberries are a low pectin fruit and will need help setting into a jam. Generally, recipes add tons of sugar to help fruit set but I wanted to avoid that here to let the strawberries shine, so I chose to add some Pomona’s Pectin to get the jam to set.
Alternatively, you could cook until the berries reach gel point – about 20 minutes or so. Choose what your time and energy level allows.
Naturally Sweetened
Strawberries tend to be sweet enough on their own. However, a touch of honey does add sweetness and the flavor compliments ripe berries so very well.
The result is a light sweet jam that isn’t overpowering with just sugar.
Floating Strawberries
Strawberries will sometimes float to the top of the jar as the jars cool.
This is completely normal and happens often in strawberry jam of any kind. Just give it a stir when you open the jar prior to spreading.
Want a jam that skips the floating berries? Try my Strawberry Maple Jam in which everything is pureed together.
Honey Sweetened Strawberry Vanilla Jam
Make up a batch or several of this Honey Sweetened Strawberry Vanilla Jam to stock the pantry for winter and have tasty gifts on hand.
Ingredients
- 4 Cups Mashed Strawberries
- 1 Vanilla bean, split in half & scraped (save only the inside scrapings)
- ½ Cup Honey
- 2 teaspoons Pomona's Pectin Calcium Water
- 2 teaspoons Pomona's Pectin Powder
Instructions
- Have jars, lids, rings, and water bath canner ready.
- In a bowl, combine the honey and pectin powder. Stir until thoroughly combined and set aside.
- In a pot, mix together the strawberries, vanilla bean scrapings, and calcium water.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Pour in the honey and pectin powder mixture. Stir well and return to a boil. Boil for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat and skim off any foam.
- Pour into jars leaving 1/4" headspace. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjust for elevation).
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
96 TablespoonsServing Size:
1 TablespoonAmount Per Serving: Calories: 8Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 0g
We try our best but cannot guarantee that nutrition information is 100% accurate.
YUM! I made a similar version a few weeks ago with no pectin. So it is a thick sauce and I have been eating it with yogurt…delicious! Love the honey and vanilla bean combination.
Yum! I like strawberry sauce on pancakes quite a bit.
this pecticken costs Too much for my pocket
You could make it without the pectin but it’s going to be more of a sauce than jam in that case. Still tasty.
I would like to try this recipe for strawberry jam but wondered if i could use regular powdered pectin but did not know how much. I am afraid to ruin it and waste the berries. Do y ou know how much regular pectin to use? Thanks so very much, fran
Fran, I’m sorry I didn’t test it with regular pectin and I don’t even know how to make the conversion. Regular pectin doesn’t always set well with honey or low amounts of sugar which is why I used the Pomona’s. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.
Could you please tell me if this consistency is really jelly-like. I don’t like when it tastes pectiney, if that makes sense.
I don’t think it tastes like pectin which is another reason that I really like pomona’s pectin. This is a jam, however; and not a jelly, it’s not going to hold its shape as if it’s molded. It’s not set up like a jelly and there are chunks of fruit. Does that help?
Where do you buy the pomonas calcium powder? I’ve checked Amazon and vitacost and cannot find it…
You buy the entire box of Pomona’s Pectin and it has everything you need in it. Here’s an amazon affiliate link to the product: http://amzn.to/1rN5JvJ
How many pints does this recipe make?
About 6.
This makes we want to make strawberry jam this year.