Homemade Sweet Fruit Jelly
Sweet jelly is most favorite dish of children. children love to eat jelly. so here I am sharing a very easy and healthy sweet jelly recipe. You can make it easily at home and in a few minutes.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of fruit juice (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 5 cups granulated sugar
- 1 packet (about 1.75 oz or 49 g) of powdered fruit pectin
Instructions:
1. Prepare Jars and Lids:
Wash the canning jars and lids with hot soapy water. Rinse them well and place them in a large pot of hot water to keep them warm until ready to use.
2. Prepare the Fruit Juice:
If using fresh fruit, wash, peel, and remove seeds or pits. Puree or juice the fruit to obtain 4 cups of fruit juice. Strain the juice to remove any pulp or solids if desired.
3. Mix the Pectin:
In a small bowl, mix the powdered fruit pectin with 1/4 cup of granulated sugar to prevent clumping when added to the fruit juice.
4. Cook the Fruit Juice:
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the fruit juice, lemon juice, and pectin-sugar mixture. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until it comes to a full rolling boil.(A boil that cannot be stirred down).
5. Add Sugar:
Gradually add the remaining granulated sugar to the boiling fruit juice while continuing to stir. This will ensure that the sugar dissolves properly and prevents any graininess in the final jelly.
6. Return to a Boil:
Once all the sugar is added, continue stirring and return the mixture to a full rolling boil. Let it cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
7. Perform the Gel Test:
To check if the jelly is ready, you can perform a gel test. Take a small spoonful of the boiling jelly and carefully place it on a chilled plate. Let it sit for a minute, then push it with your finger. If it wrinkles and holds its shape, the jelly is ready. If not, continue cooking for another minute and test again.
8. Fill the Jars:
Using a ladle and a canning funnel if desired, carefully fill the warm jars with the hot jelly, leaving about 1/4 inch of space at the top. This space allows for expansion during processing and helps create a proper seal.
9. Seal the Jars:
Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue or stick. Place the lids onto the jars and screw on the bands until they're just fingertip-tight, not overly tight. This allows for air to escape during processing and helps create a secure seal.
10. Process the Jars (Optional):
For shelf-stable jelly with an extended shelf life, you can process the jars in a boiling water bath. Place the filled jars onto a canning rack or a towel in a large pot of boiling water. Ensure that the water covers the jars by at least an inch. Process the jars for about 5-10 minutes, adjusting the time based on your altitude (consult a trusted canning resource for specific processing times). This high heat process helps to create a proper seal and ensures the safety of the jelly.
11. Cool and Store:
Carefully remove the processed jars from the boiling water bath using canning tongs or a jar lifter. Place them on a clean towel or cooling rack, leaving some space between the jars to allow for air circulation. As the jars cool, you'll hear a "pop" sound as the lids seal. Let the jars cool completely, undisturbed, for at least 12-24 hours.
12. Enjoy:
Once the jelly is fully cooled, it's ready to be enjoyed! This delicious homemade sweet fruit jelly can be spread on toast, used as a topping for desserts, or incorporated into creative culinary creations. Store your jelly in a cool, dark place and use it within one year for optimal flavor and quality.
Remember to follow proper canning and food safety guidelines if you plan to store your jelly for an extended period. This includes sterilizing jars, using new lids, and processing the jars in a boiling water bath. Consult trusted sources or references on canning for detailed instructions on safe canning practices.
Enjoy your homemade sweet fruit jelly with the peace of mind that it was made with quality ingredients and adheres to food safety standards. This delectable treat adds a touch of sweetness to your meals and can be proudly shared with friends and family.
Once all the sugar is added, continue stirring and return the mixture to a full rolling boil. Let it cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
7. Perform the Gel Test:
To check if the jelly is ready, you can perform a gel test. Take a small spoonful of the boiling jelly and carefully place it on a chilled plate. Let it sit for a minute, then push it with your finger. If it wrinkles and holds its shape, the jelly is ready. If not, continue cooking for another minute and test again.
8. Fill the Jars:
Using a ladle and a canning funnel if desired, carefully fill the warm jars with the hot jelly, leaving about 1/4 inch of space at the top. This space allows for expansion during processing and helps create a proper seal.
9. Seal the Jars:
Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue or stick. Place the lids onto the jars and screw on the bands until they're just fingertip-tight, not overly tight. This allows for air to escape during processing and helps create a secure seal.
10. Process the Jars (Optional):
For shelf-stable jelly with an extended shelf life, you can process the jars in a boiling water bath. Place the filled jars onto a canning rack or a towel in a large pot of boiling water. Ensure that the water covers the jars by at least an inch. Process the jars for about 5-10 minutes, adjusting the time based on your altitude (consult a trusted canning resource for specific processing times). This high heat process helps to create a proper seal and ensures the safety of the jelly.
11. Cool and Store:
Carefully remove the processed jars from the boiling water bath using canning tongs or a jar lifter. Place them on a clean towel or cooling rack, leaving some space between the jars to allow for air circulation. As the jars cool, you'll hear a "pop" sound as the lids seal. Let the jars cool completely, undisturbed, for at least 12-24 hours.
12. Enjoy:
Once the jelly is fully cooled, it's ready to be enjoyed! This delicious homemade sweet fruit jelly can be spread on toast, used as a topping for desserts, or incorporated into creative culinary creations. Store your jelly in a cool, dark place and use it within one year for optimal flavor and quality.
Remember to follow proper canning and food safety guidelines if you plan to store your jelly for an extended period. This includes sterilizing jars, using new lids, and processing the jars in a boiling water bath. Consult trusted sources or references on canning for detailed instructions on safe canning practices.
Enjoy your homemade sweet fruit jelly with the peace of mind that it was made with quality ingredients and adheres to food safety standards. This delectable treat adds a touch of sweetness to your meals and can be proudly shared with friends and family.