Making your own strawberry freezer jam with Sure Jell is a delicious way to enjoy the summer’s bounty of strawberries all year long. It only requires a few ingredients and the process is simple and easy. Plus, unlike canned jam, it won’t require any special equipment or boiling. With Sure Jell, you can make a sweet and delicious jam in no time that can be stored in the freezer for up to one year. So gather your ingredients and let’s get started!To make Strawberry Freezer Jam with Sure-Jell, you will need: 4 cups of crushed strawberries (about 2 quarts of whole berries), 4 tablespoons of Sure-Jell Fruit Pectin, 7 cups of white granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of butter or margarine. You will also need an 8 or 9-inch non-metal pan, a wooden spoon, measuring spoons and cups, and 6 to 8 half-pint canning jars with lids and bands.
Preparing The Strawberries
When preparing strawberries for eating or cooking, it is important to know the best way to clean and store them. Strawberries are highly perishable and need to be handled correctly in order to maintain their flavor and texture.
To clean the strawberries, start by rinsing them under cool, running water. Gently rub off any dirt or debris with your fingers. After they’ve been rinsed, set the strawberries on a towel or paper towel to dry. Do not use a cloth towel as this can trap bacteria which can contaminate the berries.
If you need to hull (remove the leafy top) your strawberries, use a paring knife or a small spoon. Cut just beneath the green cap, being careful not to cut too deep into the flesh of the berry itself. Once you’ve removed the tops, discard them in a compost bin – do not put them in your kitchen garbage disposal as this can cause clogs and other issues.
Strawberries are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To help extend their life further, you can place a piece of paper towel inside before closing the lid – this will absorb any excess moisture that can cause spoilage more quickly.
When ready to eat or use in recipes, take out only what you need and leave remaining berries refrigerated until ready for use. With proper handling and storage, fresh strawberries will stay fresh and delicious for longer!
Boiling the Sure Jell Mixture
The first step in making homemade jam is to boil the Sure Jell mixture. This mixture is made up of a combination of sugar, pectin, and water. To make it, you will need to combine all ingredients in a medium-sized saucepan and heat them over medium-high heat. Stir the mixture often as it comes to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer the mixture for about two minutes, stirring constantly to ensure that all ingredients are fully dissolved and mixed together. Once the Sure Jell mixture has boiled for two minutes, remove it from heat and allow it to cool before moving on to the next step in the jam-making process.
Adding The Sugar
Adding sugar to a recipe is an important step in baking. Sugar adds sweetness, texture, and can affect the color and flavor of the finished product. When adding sugar to a recipe, it’s important to measure accurately and use the right type of sugar for the desired result.
Granulated white sugar is the most commonly used type of sugar in baking. It is flavorless and dissolves quickly into batters and doughs. Brown sugar can be used in place of white sugar as it adds a molasses flavor and darker color to baked goods. Powdered or confectioner’s sugar is usually used for icings and frostings as it dissolves quickly with a smooth texture.
When measuring out dry ingredients such as sugar, use measuring cups that are specifically designed for dry ingredients. These measuring cups have straight edges which allow you to level off the top of the cup, ensuring an accurate measurement. If using liquid ingredients such as honey or molasses, use liquid measuring cups that are marked in milliliters or fluid ounces.
Adding too much or too little sugar can have a big impact on the finished product. If too much sugar is added, cakes may become too dense or sticky, while cookies may spread too much when baking resulting in thin crispy cookies instead of thick chewy ones. If not enough sugar is added, cakes may not rise properly or become dry and crumbly while cookies may be tough instead of soft and chewy. For best results, follow recipes closely when adding sugars to ensure the perfect sweet treat every time!
Puréeing The Strawberries
Puréeing strawberries is a simple and delicious way to incorporate the flavor of ripe strawberries into any recipe. Whether you are making a smoothie, baking a cake, or creating a delicious sauce, puréeing strawberries will add sweet flavor and a beautiful pink hue to your dish. This process is easy and requires just two simple steps: washing the strawberries and blending them into a smooth purée.
To begin, start by washing the strawberries in cold water. Make sure you rinse them well to remove any dirt or debris. After they have been thoroughly washed, remove the stems by gently pulling them off with your fingers. Once all of the stems have been removed, it’s time to place the berries into a blender or food processor.
Next, add just enough liquid such as water or juice to help blend the fruit into a smooth purée. You may also choose to add some honey or sugar if you want it to be sweeter. Once everything has been added to the blender, turn it on and let it run until all of the ingredients have been combined into a thick yet creamy texture.
Finally, pour your strawberry purée into an airtight container or jar for storage in either the refrigerator or freezer until ready to use. If storing in the freezer, make sure you freeze it in small batches so that you can thaw out only what you need when needed. Puréed strawberries are perfect for using in jams and jellies, frostings, sauces, syrups and much more!
Combining The Pureed Strawberries With Sugar Mixture
Once the strawberries have been pureed, it is time to combine them with the sugar mixture. To do this, the pureed strawberries should be added to the bowl containing the sugar mixture. The ratio of strawberries to sugar in this step should be about one-to-one. Stirring is essential in order to ensure that all of the ingredients are evenly combined. It may also be necessary to adjust the sweetness level of the mixture by adding more sugar or a bit of lemon juice for a slight tang. Once everything is mixed together, it is ready for use in various recipes and desserts.
The combination of pureed strawberries and sugar creates a unique flavor that can be used in different ways. For example, it can be used as a topping for cakes, muffins, cookies, or even ice cream. It can also be used as a filling for pies or tarts, or as part of a jam or jelly recipe. Whichever way it is used, it will add an extra touch of sweetness and flavor to any dish!
Ladling The Jam Into Containers
Making jam is a fun and rewarding experience. After cooking the jam for the desired length of time, it is time to ladle the jam into containers. It is important to choose the right container for storing the jam. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids are preferable as they will keep the jam fresher longer.
To begin ladling, use a large spoon or ladle to scoop up some of the hot jam and pour it into a glass jar or other container. Make sure not to fill each jar completely, as there should be room left at the top so that air can escape when you close it. Continue filling jars until all of your jam has been put away in containers.
Once all jars have been filled with jam, it is important to close them tightly and label them with the name and date that they were made. Place any unused jam in a separate container so that it can be refrigerated or frozen for later use. This will help keep your homemade jams fresher longer!
When storing your jams, make sure they are kept away from heat and direct sunlight as this can cause them to spoil quickly. You may also want to consider wrapping each jar in plastic wrap before putting them away in order to ensure that no dust or other debris gets into your jams while they are stored away.
Allowing The Jam To Cool Before Freezing
When making homemade jam, it is important to allow the jam to cool before freezing. This will ensure that the flavors are preserved and the texture remains intact. If you freeze the jam while it’s still hot, you risk having a runny, watery consistency. The cooling process helps set the pectin and gives the jam a thicker, more spreadable consistency. Additionally, cooling allows for even distribution of flavor throughout the jar.
To properly cool your homemade jam, place it in a shallow bowl or baking dish and stir occasionally. This will help keep it from forming a skin on top and prevent it from over-cooking on one side. Allow it to cool completely before transferring it to jars or freezer containers. The cooling process can take up to 2 hours depending on how much jam you’re making and how hot it was when removed from heat source.
If you are in a hurry, you can also place your cooled jam in a shallow dish and place it in your refrigerator for 15 minutes or so before transferring it to jars or freezer containers. Be sure not to leave your jam in the refrigerator too long as this could cause the pectin to break down and result in a thinner consistency than desired.
By allowing your homemade jam to cool before freezing, you can rest assured that you will have a delicious spread with just the right texture when ready for use!
Conclusion
Making strawberry freezer jam with Sure Jell is a simple and easy process. All you need to do is prepare the berries, measure and mix the ingredients, cook the mixture, cool it slightly, pour it into jars and freeze. You can also customize your jam to your own taste by adding different flavors or spices.
Making strawberry freezer jam is a great way to make use of summer’s bounty of fresh strawberries or frozen ones that you have stored from earlier in the season. It also makes a delicious treat that will last for months in your freezer.
With Sure Jell as your pectin source, you can be assured that you’ll have a delicious and safe homemade jam every time. So go ahead and start making your own batch of strawberry freezer jam today!
