Description
This homemade apple jam is a delightful spread made from fresh red apples simmered with lemon, apple juice, sugar, and cinnamon. It offers a naturally sweet, slightly tangy, and warmly spiced flavor perfect for breakfast toast, desserts, or as a topping for various dishes. The simple stovetop method ensures a rich, thick texture that encapsulates the fresh apple essence, making it a wholesome and delicious treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 kilogram Red Apple
- 1 Lemon (zest and juice)
- 225 gram Apple Juice
- 200 gram Granulated Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare Apples: Peel and core 1 kilogram of red apples, then cut them into cubes to ensure even cooking and smooth mashing later.
- Combine Ingredients: Place the apple cubes into a large pot. Add the zest and juice of 1 lemon, 225 grams of apple juice, 200 grams of granulated sugar, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the pot.
- Initial Cooking: Cook the apple mixture over high heat for about 10 minutes, allowing the apples to soften rapidly and start breaking down.
- Simmer on Medium Heat: Reduce the heat to medium and continue boiling the mixture for about 20 minutes, until the apples become translucent, soft, and the liquid reduces by half, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Final Simmer and Mash: Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. Use a large spoon or wooden spoon to mash the softened apples to the desired consistency.
- Jar the Jam: Ladle the hot jam into sterilized bottles or jars. Seal them tightly and invert the jars to cool, which helps create a vacuum seal for preservation.
- Refrigerate and Serve: Place the sealed jars in the refrigerator for at least 2 days to let the flavors mature. Serve chilled or at room temperature and enjoy your homemade apple jam!
Notes
- Ensure to stir frequently during cooking to prevent the jam from sticking and burning at the bottom of the pot.
- Sterilize jars properly to extend the shelf life and prevent contamination.
- You can adjust sugar quantity based on the sweetness of apples or personal preference.
- Use a wooden spoon for mashing as metal spoons can react with lemon juice and affect flavor.
- If you prefer a smoother jam, blend the cooked apples briefly before bottling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Jam
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple jam, homemade jam, apple spread, cinnamon apple jam, natural fruit preserve, stovetop jam
