Recipe by Vegan Recipes and Vibes (@veganrecipesandvibes)
Yield: 1 cup | Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 20 minutes | Total time: 2 hours
I made homemade jam for the first time and it turned out so awesome!! It was much easier than I expected and tasted so much better than the jarred stuff. Also quick note: if your berries are rip and sweet enough, leave out the sweeteners to make this 100% added-sugar-free. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
2 cups of fresh blackberries (if using frozen, thaw completely)
1 tbsp pure maple syrup (optional)
1 tbsp pure agave nectar (optional)
1 tbsp ground chia & flax meal (or 1/2 tbsp chia seeds + 1/2 tbsp ground flax)
A tiny squirt of fresh lemon juice
Directions:
Place a metal spoon in the freezer (you'll need this later).
Rinse your fresh blackberries, then place them all into a sauce pot. ○ If you're using frozen then frozen/thawed berries, no need to rinse them. ○ If you want a super smooth, non-chunky jam, place the berries in a food processor and liquify first, then pour berries into the sauce pot.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting possible.
Use a fork, potato masher, or spatula to smush the berries until you get to the desired chunkiness.
Simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure the bottom doesn't burn.
Now do the spoon test. Using your frozen spoon, scoop a little jam out of the pot. If it immediately falls off the spoon in a liquid form, continue simmering on low for a few more minutes. When the jam falls off the spoon in big gloopy chunks, your jam is ready.
Turn off the heat and stir in your chia and flax. ○ If the consistency is still too thin and runny, simply add more chia and flax (1/2 tbsp at a time) until you get to the desired thickness. It will thicken as it cools so don't over-do it. You can always add more when it's cooled too.
Carefully transfer the jam to a mason jar or glass.
Let it sit out until it's room-temp, then place it in the fridge to chill.
Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Tips and Tricks:
If your berries are ripe and sweet enough, leave the sweeteners out to make this recipe completely added-sugar-free!
If you don't have agave nectar, simply use 2 tbsp of maple syrup instead.
If you don't have maple syrup, simply use 2 tbsp of agave nectar instead.
You can also substitute with 1 tbsp of stevia, xylitol, erythritol, or any other sugar-free sweetener of your choice. Please be aware that if you use granulated or brown sugar, this recipe is no longer refined-sugar-free.
You can play around with the berry combinations here. Try a blend of strawberries and blackberries, raspberries, or apricots!
Nutrition & Servings: (calculated by MyFitnessPal)
Servings: 2 tbsp (yields about 1 cup of jam)
Calories: 36
Total Fat: 0g
Carbs: 8g
Protein: 1g
^ Nutrition facts do not include additional ingredients. Nutrition facts may change slightly if additional ingredients are added.
