Homemade freezer jam is a delicious treat that is easy to make! The batch makes a lot, so you can save some for your family and gives others away as gifts!
1quartfresh strawberries(About 2 cups of crushed strawberries.)
4cupssugar
1packagepectin(usually about 1.75 ounces; I used SURE-JELL Pectin brand.)
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Instructions
Cut the stems off all of the strawberries. Crush the strawberries until only small chunks are left. You can use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or by hand with a potato masher (or a combination of these) to do this.
Measure out 2 cups of crushed strawberries and add them to a large mixing bowl.
Add all of the sugar to the strawberries and let it sit for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir together the pectin and 3/4 cup water in small sauce pan. Bring to a boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.
Add the pectin mixture to the strawberries in the bowl and stir for 3 minutes. (This is a very important step to follow exactly!)
Using a ladle (and a funnel would be helpful too), fill your containers immediately as the jam will begin to set. Make sure to leave 1/2 - 1 inch head space for expansion during freezing.
Cover with lids and let jam stand at room temperature for a few hours until set. If freezing, jam must be completely cool first.
Refrigerate up to 3 weeks or freeze up to 1 year. Thaw in the refrigerator before using. When you're ready to use it, let the jam thaw in the refrigerator for about 24 hours.
Freezer Instructions
Freeze for Later: Make sure to leave about an inch of headspace so the jam has room to expand as it freezes. It will last 6-12 months in the freezer.Prepare from Frozen: Let the jam thaw in the refrigerator and serve.
Notes/Tips
You can use a food processor to crush the strawberries but the consistency of the jam will be very smooth.
You cannot reduce the amount of sugar or use a sugar substitute since this will result in a failure for the jam to "set" properly.