Make your own small-batch Raspberry Jam with this easy recipe. No pectin needed for this delicious fruity condiment!
This jam is perfect for spreading on corn muffins or scones, or used as a filling in Raspberry Coffee Cake or Victoria Sponge.
This recipe came about after I’d made my easy drop biscuits, I suddenly had the craving for raspberry jam. I didn’t have any jam in the pantry, but I did have a bunch of fresh raspberries!
Voila! Along came my Raspberry jam recipe. It’s so simple I couldn’t even believe it myself! I didn’t have pectin so I wasn’t sure it would work. It did and now I’m always going to make my own!
Why This Recipe Works
- Small Batch Jam means there’s no need to sanitize the jars in boiling water for long-term storage.
- Using less raspberries allows them to quickly cook to the right consistency, resulting in a vibrant, fresh flavored jam.
- The shorter cooking time along with the lemon juice and sugar help the natural pectin in the fruit set the jam perfectly.
- The butter helps dissolve foam that accumulates on top of cooked fruit and adds a glossy shine.
How can you tell if the jam is done without a sugar thermometer?
- Place a tempered dish in the freezer for around 15 minutes (be sure it’s tempered if using glass, porcelain or pottery). Take it out and drop a spoonful of the jam onto the plate (take the jam off the heat while you do this).
- Push into the jam with your finger, you are looking for it to wrinkle and not flow back into the depression made with your finger.
- If the mixture is still quite fluid, put the pan back onto the heat and simmer for five-minute intervals until done.
Ingredients Notes
- Raspberries: I used fresh Raspberries however, this recipe also works with frozen raspberries, just defrost and drain them first.
- Lemon Juice: I used freshly squeezed lemon juice, but you can use lime or orange juice too, this will work just fine.
- Lemon zest: I had lemons on hand so I used lemon zest but you can use any citrus fruit, such as orange or lime.
- Sugar: I used superfine sugar (caster sugar) as it dissolves faster, but you can use granulated sugar. If using specialist jam sugar be aware that your jam will set much more solidly. Just swap the sugar like for like.
- Butter: I use salted butter to season the jam, but unsalted works just as well.
Raspberry Buying Guide
Fresh raspberries should be well formed, plump, dry, firm, and uniform in color. Avoid berries that are bruised or crushed.
How To Make Raspberry Jam
- Wash and peel the Raspberries.
- Zest and juice the lemon.
- Place the Raspberries, lemon juice and zest and sugar in a pan and bring to a boil.
- Boil for 15 minutes.
- Pour into a jar and allow to cool.
- Serve and enjoy!
Step By Step Instructions
Add the raspberries to a medium saucepan,.
Add the granulated sugar and fresh lemon juice.
Mix over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. This will take about 5 minutes.
Increase the heat and bring mixture to a boil. Stir and mash the Raspberries frequently.
Continue to boil until the jam has thickened (approximately 10 minutes).
Transfer the jam to a clean jar and cool to room temperature.
Seal the jar with a lid and store in the refrigerator up to 10 days.
Erren’s Top Tips
- The butter is optional – Butter helps dissolve foam that accumulates on top of homemade jam, but it’s not a necessity
- Like a chunkier jam? Simply, don’t mash the berries, as they cook.
- For a smooth jam – mashing the jam as it cooks will give smoother consistency.
- For seedless jam – pour the jam through a strainer as you add it to the jar.
- Write tip here
Storing and Freezing Instructions ❄
- This small batch of raspberry jam is best refrigerated.
- Store in the fridge for up to two weeks.
- To freeze, once cooled, add the raspberry jam into a freezer safe container and freeze for up to three months. You can thaw it in the refrigerator when ready to use.
FAQs
The simple answer is yes, you can use fresh or frozen raspberries to make jam, make sure your berries are defrosted and drained of any liquid.
A coarse sugar such as white granulated sugar is best for jam making, it dissolves better giving a much clearer brighter jam.
Did you make this?
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Let’s Make Raspberry Jam
Ingredients
- 1 lb raspberries
- 1½ cups superfine sugar/caster sugar or granulated
- 1 teaspoon butter
- 2 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Wash and prepare the raspberries.
- In a medium saucepan, add the prepared raspberries, granulated sugar, butter, and fresh lemon juice. Mix over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves (about 5 min).
- Increase the heat and bring mixture to a boil. Stir and mash the raspberries frequently and continue to boil until the jam has thickened (or until it reaches a temperature of 220°F/104°C) This will take approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Pour the jam into a clean, tempered jar (at this point you can use a strainer to remove the seeds if you'd like). Allow to cool. Once cooled, cover and refrigerate.
Tips + Notes
How can you tell if the jam is done without a sugar thermometer?
- Place a tempered dish in the freezer for around 15 minutes (be sure it’s tempered if using glass, porcelain or pottery). Take it out and drop a spoonful of the jam onto the plate (take the jam off the heat while you do this).
- Push into the jam with your finger, you are looking for it to wrinkle and not flow back into the depression made with your finger.
- If the mixture is still quite fluid, put the pan back onto the heat and simmer for five-minute intervals until done.
Veronica in SC says
Awesome raspberry jam recipe! So much flavor. Will make again. thanks Errin!,
Erren Hart says
Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe so much! Thanks for stopping by to share! 🙂
Heather Campbell says
Wow! What a great way to use up a small or odd amount of raspberries!
Erren Hart says
So happy to hear it! Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
DEBBI EMILEE says
I followed this recipe exactly and it turned out perfect and tastes delicious.
Erren Hart says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by and sharing! 🙂
Jenny Wood says
This is hands down the best jam I’ve ever tasted! And I made it! Thanks for making it so simple to make!
Erren Hart says
That’s so great! Thanks for taking the time to let me know! 🙂
Rachel M says
Very easy and delicious. I strained some of the seeds out. Will make this again.
Erren Hart says
Yay! Love to hear that!
Jo says
This was shockingly easy to make! It was so rewarding to make my own jam! Thanks, Erren!
Erren's Kitchen says
I’m so glad you liked it Jo 🙂
Erren Hart says
I am so happy to hear it! Thanks so much for the lovely feedback!
Helen says
I had some raspberries in the freezer so when I saw this I just had to try it! So easy, thanks
Erren's Kitchen says
Glad you liked it Helen 🙂
Zoe says
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it!
Erren Hart says
I hope you like it, Zoe 🙂