Banana Berry Jam Recipes

EASY SMALL-BATCH BLUEBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Mix blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon in a saucepan; cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until thickened, about 30 minutes.

LUSCIOUS BLUEBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Rinse five 1-cup plastic or freezer-safe containers and lids with boiling water. Dry thoroughly. Mash blueberries; transfer to a Dutch oven. Add lemon juice; stir in pectin. Bring to a full rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly., Stir in sugar; return to a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; skim off foam. Ladle into containers and cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. , Cover and let stand overnight or until set, but not longer than 24 hours. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks or freeze for up to 12 months.

BERRY JAM

Steps:

• Toss berries and sugar together in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Let sit for at least 15 minutes and up to overnight, periodically tossing to coat and to dissolve the sugar. (This will help coax the juices out of the fruit.)
• Place a small plate in the refrigerator to chill. (You'll use this later.)
• Bring the fruit to a strong simmer over medium heat until the berries burst and the juices start to boil, about 15 minutes. If using a vanilla bean as an add-in, put it in the pot at this point.
• Increase the heat to medium-high. Cook the jam, at first stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon or spatula, then more frequently as the juices thicken. Cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and the fruit has begun to break down, 40 to 50 minutes. How much it breaks down will depend on its type and ripeness: For example, strawberries are likely to retain more of their shape, while raspberries will break down almost entirely.
• As the jam cooks, the liquid will reduce, the sugars thicken and the natural pectins activate. You'll notice the liquid go from a rapid, rolling boil with smaller bubbles to a slow, thick, tarlike boil with larger bubbles: This is the stage at which it's most important to stir constantly along the bottom of the pot to prevent scorching and sticking. (Sugar is heavier than water and will concentrate there, increasing the chance that the fruit will burn.) It's also the stage at which splattering may occur, so take care in stirring.
• Once the jam reaches a slow, thick boil, add lemon juice and continue to cook, stirring constantly until the jam returns to its earlier consistency, about another 5 minutes. To test the consistency, spoon a bit of jam onto the chilled plate, return it to the refrigerator and chill for 2 minutes. Drag your finger through it: It should hold its shape on either side without appearing watery or runny. If it's not there yet, cook a few minutes more. (Note: Some fruit, like strawberries, contain more water and less natural pectin than say, a raspberry. This means the jam will never be quite as thick or gelled, but it will still be delicious).
• Remove from heat, and incorporate any of the add-ins listed (see notes). Pick out vanilla bean if you added it earlier. Divide jam between several 8-ounce canning jars, leaving 1/4-inch head space, and seal immediately. Can the jams (see our How to Make Jam guide for more instruction), or store in the refrigerator, using them within a couple of weeks.

BLACKBERRY JAM

Steps:

• Mash blackberries in a saucepan with a potato masher. Stir in sugar until juices form; place about 1 tablespoon blackberry juice in a small bowl and stir in cornstarch. Pour cornstarch mixture into saucepan.
• Bring berries to a boil, stirring often, until jam is thickened, about 15 minutes. Stir in cinnamon and allspice. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Transfer jam to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until chilled. Stir in lemon juice.

BANANA BERRY JAM

Steps:

• Combine cranberries and water in a large saucepan. Simmer, covered, 10
• minutes. Add sugar and banana.
• Boil hard 1 minute. Remove from heat.
• Stir in pectin. Skim off foam.
• Spoon into prepared half pint jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
• Wipe jars, adjust lids. Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Adjust time according to your altitude.

BANANA JAM

Steps:

• Juice the lemons. Slice the rinds into paper-thin strips.
• Boil the sugar and water about 10 minutes. Then add the lemon juice and rind, the bananas - carefully mashed - the ginger and a few cloves. Cook this slowly 30 to 45 minutes. Stir it carefully so that it will not scorch. It will become a pale yellow mush and does not need to be tested for proper consistency.
• Take out the lump of ginger and transfer the mixture to clean jelly glasses. Cover jars and process in a boiling water bath 10 minutes or seal with parafin.

BANANA-BERRY MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400ºF. Grease muffin cups or use muffin liners.
• Combine flour, white sugar, salt and baking powder.
• Place vegetable oil into a 1-cup measuring cup; add egg and enough milk to get 1 cup of liquid. Pour this into flour mixture and mix.
• Add mashed banana, then fold in blueberries and raspberries.
• Fill muffin cups to top.
• FOR TOPPING: Combine the topping ingredients. Mix with fork until crumbly and sprinkle over muffins before baking.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until done.