Tag: water bath canning

An image of canning jars with orange sauce in them and an image of peaches in a paper bag. The words say, "Canning Zesty Peach BBQ Sauce."

How To Can Peach BBQ Sauce

This safe, tested recipe from Ball and Bernardin is a fruity, delicious way to preserve peaches! This is a great option if your family doesn’t eat a lot of jam or jelly and the best part is that it’s easily customizable!

How To Safely Customize Peach BBQ Sauce

First, you can swap out the apple cider vinegar for a vinegar of your choice, as long as it is still diluted to 5% acidity. It must be at least 5% acidity, which you can check on the ingredients list on the bottle.

Second, you may safely replace the sweet bell peppers for any other kind of pepper! That means a different color, a different level on the Scoville scale, a sweet pepper for a hot or super hot pepper, etc.!

And, finally, you may add to or take away from the amount of red pepper flakes you use in your sauce within reason. I personally would only add about 1 teaspoon extra of dry spices to ensure I didn’t add too much non-acidic ingredients and throw off the pH balance that makes a recipe safe for water bath canning.

How To Use Peach BBQ Sauce

The Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving says this sauce is delicious on chicken and fish, but my family loves it on pork! It’s extra delicious as a marinade on smoked or grilled meats, and the combination of the sweet peach and the bite from the vinegar and pepper flakes blend beautifully!

Recipe Video

Recipe

Modified from the Ball Zesty Peach BBQ Sauce recipe.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients to heavy bottom stock pot.
  2. Heat over medium high heat until it comes to a full rolling boil.
  3. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
  4. Use an immersion blender to blend the sauce until it is smooth.
  5. Simmer for another 10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened slightly but is still thin.
  6. Store sauce in refrigerator or continue with canning instructions.

    7. Canning Instructions

  7. Fill clean, warm jars with sauce, making sure to leave 1/2-inch headspace.
  8. Clean jar rim off to ensure no sauce is on it.
  9. Put a clean lid on and screw on band until fingertip tight.
  10. Put in water bath canner.
  11. Fill remaining jars until sauce is gone.
  12. Process in a water bath canner for 15 minutes, adjusting for altitude.
  13. Remove jars and set on towel or wooden cutting board to cool for 12-24 hours.
  14. Remove bands and check seals. If any jars failed to seal, store in refrigerator and use first.
  15. Wash jars and store without bands on.
There are two images--one of fresh plums and another of jars filled with jelly. The words read, "Low sugar plum jelly."

Canning Low Sugar Plum Jelly

This low sugar plum jelly is a perfect mix of tart and sweet! It’s super easy (and fast) to make using a steam juicer!

How Much Fruit Do I Need?

One thing that always frustrates me about canning recipes is trying to figure out how much fruit I need. But that’s where this recipe really shines! You need as much fruit as you have or want to get! The necessary pectin, calcium water, sugar, and lemon juice is added per cup of juice, so it doesn’t matter if you have 2 cups or 20 cups of juice, you can still use this recipe!

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Supplies to Make Plum Jelly

To make this plum jelly, you need jars, clean, new lids, and bands! If haven’t read my post about my favorite canning supplies, I recommend taking a look for items that will make canning this recipe easier!

You also need Pomona’s Universal Pectin for this recipe, which is formulated specifically for low- or no-sugar canning recipes. Since I use Pomona’s quite often, I purchase the pectin powder in bulk. You can find it available in bulk here.

A steam juicer makes this project so much faster, and I absolutely love mine! If you plan on making much juice and/or jelly, a steam juicer is definitely worth the investment.

I also highly recommend purchasing either a steam canner or the Ball freshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner and Multi-Cooker, if you are interested in another way to save stovetop space or if you have a glass stovetop and don’t want to put a heavy canner on top of it. I use it exclusively for anything I water bath can. The best feature of this canner is that it can easily hold 12-14 half-pint jars! For this particular recipe, I was able to make 11 half-pint jars and 7 quarter-pint jars of plum jelly by stacking my jars!

YouTube Video

Plum Jelly Recipe

Recipe created using Pomona’s Pectin Create Your Own Recipe.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. First, clean and remove stems from plums.
  2. Put plums in strainer pot of steam juicer and fill bottom pot with water.
  3. Heat steam juicer until water is simmering.
  4. Simmer and add water, if needed, until juice from the plums gets lighter.
  5. Remove from heat.
  6. Add plum juice, lemon juice, and calcium water to a large stock pot.
  7. Heat over high heat until boiling.
  8. While waiting for juice to boil, mix sugar and Pomona’s Pectin. Set aside.
  9. Once juice is boiling, slowly add sugar and pectin mixture, whisking or stirring constantly to prevent the pectin from clumping.
  10. Bring mixture back up to boiling. Then, remove from heat.
  11. Carefully skim foam off of your jelly, if any formed.
  12. Store jelly in refrigerator or continue with canning instructions.

    13. Canning Instructions

  13. Fill clean, warm jars with jelly, making sure to leave 1/4-inch headspace.
  14. Clean jar rim off to ensure no jelly is on it.
  15. Put a clean lid on and screw on band until fingertip tight.
  16. Put in water bath canner.
  17. Fill remaining jars until jelly is gone.
  18. Process in a water bath canner for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude.
  19. Remove jars and set on towel or wooden cutting board to cool for 12-24 hours.
  20. Remove bands and check seals. If any jars failed to seal, store in refrigerator and use first.
  21. Wash jars and store without bands on.
Image of strawberries and a woman taking jars out of a large pot. Text says "Sugar Free Strawberry Jam in the Ball FreshTECH Jam & Jelly Maker."

No Sugar Added Strawberry Jam

No sugar added strawberry jam is so easy to make! And it’s even easier if you own a Ball freshTECH Jam & Jelly Maker! I love my J&J Maker, but I was tired of being limited by the few recipes that come with the Jam & Jelly Maker, so I decided to experiment. The first recipe I tried is my husband’s personal favorite–no sugar added blueberry jam! It’s a Bernardin recipe and you can find my post about it here. Keep reading to learn how to make this strawberry jam in the Jam & Jelly Maker!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Use the Jam & Jelly Maker?

The Jam & Jelly Maker is so easy to use because it stirs for you! It also doesn’t require that you use your stovetop, which is a bonus if you work full time and do all of your cooking, canning, and baking on the weekends like me! It is so nice to be able to keep a large burner clear for lunch, dinner, or whatever I’m meal-prepping!

Supplies to Make Strawberry Jam

If haven’t read my post about my favorite canning supplies, I recommend taking a look for items that will make canning this recipe easier!

I also highly recommend purchasing either a steam canner or the Ball freshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner and Multi-Cooker, if you are interested in another way to save stovetop space or if you have a glass stovetop and don’t want to put a heavy canner on top of it. I use it exclusively for anything I water bath can. The best feature of this canner is that is can easily hold 12-14 half-pint jars!

Will Other Berries Work in this Recipe?

Yes! According to the Bernardin website, the strawberries in this recipe can be replaced with raspberries, blueberries, sour cherries, gooseberries, or blackberries!

Recipe Video

How to Make No Sugar Added Strawberry Jam in Jam & Jelly Maker

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. First, mash 4 cups of rinsed strawberries.
  2. Prepare other ingredients–1 cup unsweetened fruit juice and 49 grams of Ball or Bernardin Low or No Sugar Pectin.
  3. Sprinkle pectin on bottom of Jam & Jelly Maker, spread strawberry mash evenly over the top, and add in fruit juice.
  4. Press “Jam” and press “Enter.” The J&J Maker will start stirring.
  5. After 4 minutes, the J&J Maker will beep. If you are adding any sweetener or butter, add it now, pouring the sweetener evenly over the top of the mixture. Put lid on.
  6. For the remaining 17 minutes, watch the J&J Maker carefully. If at any time it looks like the mixture may overflow, take the lid off and allow the mixture to cool.
  7. The J&J Maker will beep again when it is finished. Take the lid off and either store jam in refrigerator or continue with canning instructions.

    8. Canning Directions

  8. Fill clean, warm jars with jam mixture, making sure to leave 1/4-inch headspace.
  9. Debubble and double-check headspace. Add more jam, if needed.
  10. Clean rim off to ensure no jam is on it.
  11. Put a clean lid on and screw on band until fingertip tight.
  12. Put in water bath canner.
  13. Fill remaining jars until jam mixture is gone.
  14. Water bath process for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude.
  15. Remove jars and set on towel or wooden cutting board to cool for 12-24 hours.
  16. Remove bands and check seals. If any jars failed to seal, store in refrigerator and use first.
  17. Wash jars and store without bands on.
Image of 3 jars on a black and white gingham towel. The jars are filled with raspberry jam.

No Sugar Added Raspberry Jam

No sugar added raspberry jam is so easy to make! And it’s even easier if you own a Ball freshTECH Jam & Jelly Maker (J&J Maker for short)! I LOVE my J&J Maker! But I was tired of being limited by the few recipes that come with the Jam & Jelly Maker, so I decided to experiment. The first recipe I tried is my husband’s personal favorite–no sugar added blueberry jam! It’s a Bernardin recipe and you can find my post about it here. Keep reading to learn how to make this raspberry jam in the Jam & Jelly Maker!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Use the Jam & Jelly Maker?

The Jam & Jelly Maker is so easy to use because it stirs for you! It also doesn’t require that you use your stovetop, which is a bonus if you work full time and do all of your cooking, canning, and baking on the weekends like me! It is so nice to be able to keep a large burner clear for lunch, dinner, or whatever I’m meal-prepping!

Supplies to Make Raspberry Jam

If haven’t read my post about my favorite canning supplies, I recommend taking a look for items that will make canning this recipe easier!

I also highly recommend purchasing either a steam canner or the Ball freshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner and Multi-Cooker, if you are interested in another way to save stovetop space or if you have a glass stovetop and don’t want to put a heavy canner on top of it. I use it exclusively for anything I water bath can. The best feature of this canner is that is can easily hold 12-14 half-pint jars!

Will Other Berries Work in this Recipe?

Yes! According to the Bernardin website, the raspberries in this recipe can be replaced with strawberries, blueberries, sour cherries, gooseberries, or blackberries!

Recipe Video

How to Make No Sugar Added Raspberry Jam in Jam & Jelly Maker

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. First, mash 4 cups of rinsed raspberries.
  2. Prepare other ingredients–1 cup unsweetened fruit juice and 49 grams of Ball or Bernardin Low or No Sugar Pectin.
  3. Sprinkle pectin on bottom of Jam & Jelly Maker, spread raspberry mash evenly over the top, and add in fruit juice.
  4. Press “Jam” and press “Enter.” The J&J Maker will start stirring.
  5. After 4 minutes, the J&J Maker will beep. If you are adding any sweetener or butter, add it now, pouring the sweetener evenly over the top of the mixture. Put lid on.
  6. For the remaining 17 minutes, watch the J&J Maker carefully. If at any time it looks like the mixture may overflow, take the lid off and allow the mixture to cool.
  7. The J&J Maker will beep again when it is finished. Take the lid off and either store jam in refrigerator or continue with canning instructions.

    8. Canning Directions

  8. Fill clean, warm jars with jam mixture, making sure to leave 1/4-inch headspace.
  9. Debubble and double-check headspace. Add more jam, if needed.
  10. Clean rim off to ensure no jam is on it.
  11. Put a clean lid on and screw on band until fingertip tight.
  12. Put in water bath canner.
  13. Fill remaining jars until jam mixture is gone.
  14. Water bath process for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude.
  15. Remove jars and set on towel or wooden cutting board to cool for 12-24 hours.
  16. Remove bands and check seals. If any jars failed to seal, store in refrigerator and use first.
  17. Wash jars and store without bands on.
Image of three jars filled with kiwi preserves.

How To Can Kiwi Fruit Preserves

These kiwi fruit preserves are easy to make and delicious too! The kiwi flavor combines nicely with the sweet, acidity of pineapple and lime juice. It’s delicious on sorbet, toast, or made into a vinaigrette! You can find my super simple vinaigrette recipe here!

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase a product following my link, the price will not change, and I only recommend products that I use and love.

Supplies to Make Kiwi Fruit Preserves

If haven’t read my post about my favorite canning supplies, I recommend taking a look for items that will make canning this recipe easier!

I also highly recommend purchasing either a steam canner or the Ball freshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner and Multi-Cooker, if you are interested in another way to save stovetop space or if you have a glass stovetop and don’t want to put a heavy canner on top of it. I use it exclusively for anything I water bath can. The best feature of this canner is that is can easily hold 12-14 half-pint jars!

Recipe Video

How to Make Kiwi Fruit Preserves

Original Bernardin recipe can be find here.

Instructions

  1. First, peel and thinly slice 4 kiwis.
  2. Combine 4 peeled and sliced kiwis, 3 cups of sugar, 3/4 cup of pineapple juice, and 1/4 cup lime juice in a large stock pot.
  3. Heat over high heat until the mixture comes to a rolling boil that cannot be stirred down.
  4. Add in 1 packet of liquid pectin. I used Certo liquid pection.
  5. Bring back up to a boil.
  6. Stir constantly for 1 minute.
  7. Remove from heat.
  8. Store jam in refrigerator or continue with canning instructions.

    9. Canning Instructions

  9. Fill clean, warm jars with preserves, making sure to leave 1/4-inch headspace.
  10. Debubble and double-check headspace. Add more preserves, if needed.
  11. Clean jar rim off to ensure no preserves are on it.
  12. Put a clean lid on and screw on band until fingertip tight.
  13. Put in water bath canner.
  14. Fill remaining jars until mixture is gone. About 3 half-pint jars.
  15. Water bath process for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude.
  16. Remove jars and set on towel or wooden cutting board to cool for 12-24 hours.
  17. Remove bands and check seals. If any jars failed to seal, store in refrigerator and use first.
  18. Wash jars and store without bands on.

More Posts For You

Image of jar filled with apple butter and a spoon with apple butter on it.

How to Can Apple Butter – No Added Sugar

This apple butter is absolutely delicious and the best part is that it doesn’t contain any added sugar!

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase a product following my link, the price will not change, and I only recommend products that I use and love.

Supplies to Make Apple Butter

If haven’t read my post about my favorite canning supplies, I recommend taking a look for items that will make canning this apple butter easier!

I also highly recommend purchasing either a steam canner or the Ball freshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner and Multi-Cooker, if you are interested in another way to save stovetop space or if you have a glass stovetop and don’t want to put a heavy canner on top of it. I use it exclusively for anything I water bath can. The best feature of this canner is that is can easily hold 12-14 half-pint jars!

Recipe Video

How to Make Apple Butter with No Added Sugar

Recipe adapted from the National Center for Home Food Preservation recipe.

Instructions

  1. Core and slice 9 pounds of apples.
  2. Add apples and 2 1/4 cups apple cider or apple juice to a roaster or slow cooker and cook on medium high heat.
  3. Once apples are very soft and falling apart, strain using a food strainer.
  4. Add apple mixture to roaster or slow cooker.
  5. Add 1 cup sucralose (optional), 2 tablespoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves, and 1 teaspoon ground allspice to apple mixture in roaster or slow cooker.
  6. Cook until apple butter is a deep brown and the sugars have caramelized.
  7. Add additional apple cider or apple juice if needed to thin mixture.
  8. For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to blend the apple mixture.
  9. Store apple butter in refrigerator or continue with canning instructions.

    10. Canning Instructions

  10. Fill clean, warm jars with apple butter, making sure to leave 1/4-inch headspace.
  11. Debubble and double-check headspace. Add more apple butter, if needed.
  12. Clean jar rim off to ensure no apple butter is on it.
  13. Put a clean lid on and screw on band until fingertip tight.
  14. Put in water bath canner.
  15. Fill remaining jars until mixture is gone. About 10 half-pint jars.
  16. Water bath process for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude.
  17. Remove jars and set on towel or wooden cutting board to cool for 12-24 hours.
  18. Remove bands and check seals. If any jars failed to seal, store in refrigerator and use first.
  19. Wash jars and store without bands on.

More Posts For You

Image of 3 mason jars filled with a red, clear jelly.

How To Can Red Bud Jelly

Red bud trees are in bloom, and it’s time to make Red Bud Jelly! Red Bud Jelly is a beautiful pink jelly with a sweet, light, almost-grape flavor. The hardest part of making Red Bud Jelly is carefully removing the blossoms from the stems. Once you have removed the blossoms, it’s a super easy, quick canning project! Check out my video below for a visual aid.

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase a product following my link, the price will not change, and I only recommend products that I use and love.

Supplies to Make Red Bud Jelly

If haven’t read my post about my favorite canning supplies, I recommend taking a look for items that will make canning this recipe easier!

I also highly recommend purchasing either a steam canner or the Ball freshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner and Multi-Cooker, if you are interested in another way to save stovetop space or if you have a glass stovetop and don’t want to put a heavy canner on top of it. I use it exclusively for anything I water bath can. The best feature of this canner is that is can easily hold 12-14 half-pint jars!

Recipe Video

How to Make Red Bud Jelly

Recipe adapted from the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service Dandelion Jelly Recipe.

Instructions

  1. Fill a quart jar with red bud blossoms.
  2. Cover the red bud blossoms with 4 cups of boiling water.
  3. Let cool, then set in the refrigerator overnight to steep.
  4. The next day, strain the red bud “tea” into a large pot or Maslin jam pan.
  5. Bring tea to a boil.
  6. Add 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and 6 tablespoons (or one packet) of pectin to tea.
  7. Bring mixture back up to a boil, then add 4 cups of sugar.
  8. Bring to a boil again, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes.
  9. Store jam in refrigerator or continue with canning instructions.

    10. Canning Instructions

  10. Fill clean, warm jars with jelly, making sure to leave 1/4-inch headspace.
  11. Debubble and double-check headspace. Add more jelly, if needed.
  12. Clean jar rim off to ensure no jelly is on it.
  13. Put a clean lid on and screw on band until fingertip tight.
  14. Put in water bath canner.
  15. Fill remaining jars until mixture is gone. About 4 half-pint jars.
  16. Water bath process for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude.
  17. Remove jars and set on towel or wooden cutting board to cool for 12-24 hours.
  18. Remove bands and check seals. If any jars failed to seal, store in refrigerator and use first.
  19. Wash jars and store without bands on.

More Posts For You

Image of 6 mason jars sitting on a black and white kitchen towel with yellow filling. The filling is pineapple habanero jam. One jar at the front has a heart on it, marked in sharpie.

How To Can Low Sugar Pineapple Habanero Jam

This pineapple habanero jam is perfect for the spice-lovers in your life! You can also modify the heat if you’re not quite brave enough to use an entire 1/2 cup of habanero peppers, and I’ll explain how to do that later in the post!

One of my best sellers is Habanero Gold Jelly, which is a Ball recipe. While it is absolutely delicious, it is also chock full of sugar. One half-pint jar contains about 200 grams of added sugar! This recipe is great if you’re looking for a lower sugar option, with only about 67 grams of sugar in one half-pint jar!

Image of 6 mason jars on a black and white checkered kitchen towel. The jars are filled with a yellow and orange filling. One lid has a heart drawn with a Sharpie. Lettering says, "Pineapple habanero jam, low sugar, JamminandCannin.com".

How to Use Pineapple Habanero Jam

A very common way to use habanero jam is over cream cheese as a sort of dip/topping for crackers. But there are so many ways to use it! Here’s a list of my customers’ favorite ways to use pineapple habanero jam:

  • Over baked salmon
  • A baste for ribs or any kind of BBQ
  • A sauce for wings
  • A glaze for pork chops
  • On cornbread
  • A replacement chili sauce dip for egg/spring rolls–mix with a little vinegar to make it saucier
  • A mix in for a piña colada

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase a product following my link, the price will not change, and I only recommend products that I use and love.

Supplies to Make Pineapple Habanero Jam

If haven’t read my post about my favorite canning supplies, I recommend taking a look for items that will make canning this recipe easier! One of the products featured in the recipe is this awesome pineapple corer that not only cores your pineapple but slices it too!

You also need Pomona’s Universal Pectin for this recipe, which is formulated specifically for low- or no-sugar canning recipes. Since I use Pomona’s quite often, I purchase the pectin powder in bulk. You can find it here.

I also highly recommend purchasing either a steam canner or the Ball freshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner and Multi-Cooker, if you are interested in another way to save stovetop space or if you have a glass stovetop and don’t want to put a heavy canner on top of it. I use it exclusively for anything I water bath can. The best feature of this canner is that is can easily hold 12-14 half-pint jars!

Reducing the Spice

If you prefer a milder jam, swap a portion of the habanero for yellow or orange bell peppers. It is safe to swap pepper varieties. However, you must keep the amount the same. So, whatever peppers you choose to use, make sure you’re only using 1/2-cup-worth of peppers total in the recipe.

Recipe Video

How to Make Low Sugar Pineapple Habanero Jam

Recipe adapted from Pomona’s Universal Pectin Raspberry Habanero Jam recipe.

Instructions

  1. If using fresh pineapple, core 4-cups-worth of pineapple. Put in a food processor with the juice from the pineapple and pulse until pineapple is crushed consistency. If using canned, crushed pineapple, continue to next step.
  2. Measure 4 cups of crushed pineapple and put in large stockpot.
  3. Add 1/2 cup of finely diced habanero peppers, 1/3 cup bottled lemon juice, and 2 1/2 teaspoons calcium water (from the Pomona’s Universal Pectin packet).
  4. Bring mixture to a boil.
  5. While waiting for mixture to come to a boil, combine 1 1/2 cups sugar and 2 1/2 teaspoons Pomona’s Pectin powder in separate bowl.
  6. Once mixture comes to full boil, slowly add in sugar and pectin mixture. Stir 1-2 minutes and remove from heat once the mixture comes up to a boil.
  7. Store jam in refrigerator or continue with canning instructions.

    8. Canning Directions

  8. Fill clean, warm jars with jam mixture, making sure to leave 1/4-inch headspace.
  9. Debubble and double-check headspace. Add more mixture, if needed.
  10. Clean jar rim off to ensure no jam is on it.
  11. Put a clean lid on and screw on band until fingertip tight.
  12. Put in water bath canner.
  13. Fill remaining jars until mixture is gone. About 4-5 half-pint jars.
  14. Water bath process for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude.
  15. Remove jars and set on towel or wooden cutting board to cool for 12-24 hours.
  16. Remove bands and check seals. If any jars failed to seal, store in refrigerator and use first.
  17. Wash jars and store without bands on.

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Thumbnail image with "Canning Chocolate Low Sugar Cherry Preserves" in white lettering. Images behind the text are a bowl of halved cherries and a girl with long, dark hair using a jar lifter to lift jars of burgundy filling.

How To Make Low Sugar Chocolate Cherry Preserves

These chocolate cherry preserves are absolutely delicious and the best part is that they contain considerably less sugar than anything naturally sweetened that you can purchase in-store! My family loves these preserves in sweet rolls, as a yogurt mix-in, and as an ice cream topping!

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Supplies to Make Chocolate Cherry Preserves

If you have read my post about my favorite canning supplies, then you already know I’m going to mention my Cherry Pitter. If you make these chocolate cherry preserves, you will be so happy you purchased it! It pits 6 cherries at a time!

You also need Pomona’s Universal Pectin for this recipe, which is formulated specifically for low- or no-sugar canning recipes. Since I use Pomona’s quite often, I purchase the pectin powder in bulk. You can find it here.

I also highly recommend purchasing either a steam canner or the Ball freshTECH Electric Water Bath Canner and Multi-Cooker, if you are interested in another way to save stovetop space or if you have a glass stovetop and don’t want to put a heavy canner on top of it. I use it exclusively for anything I water bath can. The best feature of this canner is that is can easily hold 12-14 half-pint jars!

Recipe Video

How To Make Low Sugar Chocolate Cherry Preserves

Original recipe can be found here: https://pomonapectin.com/chocolate-cherry-preserves/

Instructions

  1. First, pit and halve 2.5 pounds of fresh, sweet cherries.
  2. Add cherry halves to a large pot. Add 1/2 cup water and sift in 1/3 cup cocoa powder.
  3. Heat cherry cocoa mix to a boil. Then, reduce to simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Keep 4 cups of cherry mixture in large pot, and reserve any extra for another use.
  5. Add 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional), 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 3 teaspoons calcium water to cherry cocoa mixture and bring back up to a boil.
  6. While waiting for mixture to come to a boil, combine 1 1/4 cups sugar and 2 1/2 teaspoons Pomona’s Pectin powder and mix well.
  7. Once mixture comes to a boil, add the sugar mixture slowly. Stir 1-2 minutes and remove from heat once the mixture comes up to a boil.
  8. Store jam in refrigerator or continue with canning instructions.

    9. Canning Directions

  9. Fill clean, warm jars with jam mixture, making sure to leave 1/4-inch headspace.
  10. Debubble and double-check headspace. Add more mixture, if needed.
  11. Clean jar rim off to ensure no jam is on it.
  12. Put a clean lid on and screw on band until fingertip tight.
  13. Put in water bath canner.
  14. Fill remaining jars until mixture is gone. About 4-5 half-pint jars.
  15. Water bath process for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude.
  16. Remove jars and set on towel or wooden cutting board to cool for 12-24 hours.
  17. Remove bands and check seals. If any jars failed to seal, store in refrigerator and use first.
  18. Wash jars and store without bands on.