The taste of autumn captured and preserved in a simple to prepare jam. Apple Cinnamon Jam is a jam that tastes like a dessert. Great on ice cream, or folded into apple turnovers, or just smeared liberally on warm toast!
6 250 ml mason jars with screw bands and new, unused sealing discs.
Water Bath Canner with Jar Rack
Jar Wrench/Lifter
Canning Funnel
Ladle
Non-metallic Bubble Remover
Magnetic Lid Lifter
Ingredients
5poundsapples,peeled and roughly chopped into bite-sized pieces (use a softer apple like MacIntosh or Empire)
1/2cupwater
2cupssugar
2tablespoonslemon juice,freshly squeezed
1/2teaspoonground nutmeg
1/2teaspoonground ginger
1/8teaspoonground cloves
3teaspoonsground cinnamon
Instructions
To Prepare Mason Jars:
Wash mason jars and screw lids in soapy water and rinse soap off well under running hot water. Place clean jars on a baking sheet and place in oven preheated to 200 degrees. Set screw bands aside. Next, boil a kettle of water and pour into a clean glass bowl. Carefully submerge the sealing discs in the bowl of hot water. Set aside.
Peel the apples and remove the core. Wash under running cold water to remove all traces of seeds or core remains. When done, roughly chop each apple into bite-sized pieces.
Place the chopped apples in a large sauce pan or pot. Add the water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Gently boil for 20 minutes.
Add the lemon juice and the sugar and stir until dissolved. Bring back to a low boil. Continue to boil uncovered over medium heat for 20 minutes, depending on how thick you prefer your jam to be. DO NOT walk away from the jam once you add the sugar. The sugar will burn quickly and easily. Continue to stir and carefully monitor the progress.
In the meantime, fill your water bath canner to the halfway mark with water and add the jar rack. Bring to a full boil.
Next, add the nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and cinnamon. Stir into the jam mixture until well incorporated.
Ladle the jam into prepared mason jars using a funnel to prevent the jam from touching the rim of the jars.
Use the non-metallic bubble remover to remove any air bubbles.
Wipe down the rim of each jar with a damp paper towel to ensure no jam has come in contact with the rim.
Carefully remove the sealing discs from the hot water with a magnetic lid lifter. Position the sealing disc directly onto the lid of the jars. Do not touch the underside of the lid.
Screw on the screw bands until firm - do not apply pressure! Just use your fingertips to tighten the screw bands.
Using the jar lifter, place the jars into the water bath canner with the boiling water. Do not place the lid on the canner.
Boil for 20 minutes. Carefully remove each jar from the canner using the jar lifter. Try not to tilt the jars. Place jars onto a wire cooling rack that has been covered with a clean kitchen towel.
Leave the jars to cool for a minimum of 12 hours. Once cooled, wipe the jars of any residue that might have been transferred to the outside of the jar during the boiling process. Label the jars and store in a dark, cool cabinet for up to one year.
Notes
Recipe makes 6 250 ml jars, or 6 cups. One serving is equal to one tablespoon.