Jammin Blackberry Style - No Fail Blackberry Jam

I can't tell you how excited I get every year for blackberry picking time. I absolutely love suiting up and heading out to our "secret" blackberry spot where huge fresh ripe berries can be found in every direction. This past weekend, my neighbor and I headed back on our 4 wheelers to get our hands on some of these sesasonal treats.

Trekking back home a couple hours later, I can't help but think of all the amazing things I will make with my berries - cobbler, muffins and the like. However, none of these beat a nice big batch of blackberry jam!

No Fail Blackberry Jam

8 cups fresh blackberries
6 tsp lemon juice
9 Tbs pectin
6 cups sugar

Fill a large canner pot with water and bring to a boil. Add canning jars (I use half pints for this recipe) and boil for about a minute to sterilize jars. Retrieve jars with kitchen tongs and invert on a clean towel. Add additional water to pot if needed to return to original water level and turn down to a simmer while jam is being prepared.

Rinse your berries well. If you've picked them fresh you'll need to make sure you haven't got any stems or stray critters in the mix. Once well rinsed and strained, pour into a heavy bottomed pot and add lemon juice. Place on the stove over medium heat. Stir in pectin. Bring berry mixture to a rolling boil stirring constantly.

Add sugar to boiling berry mixture. Stirring constantly, bring back to a rolling boil.  Boil hard for 1 minute. Turn off heat.

Ladle hot jam into the sterilized jars. Be sure to keep rims of jars clean - wiping with with a wet cloth as needed. Place lids on top of the jars and tighten rings.

Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to sit in water for another 5 minutes. Remove and allow to cool before storing.

Makes about 8 half pints.

I find that homemade jams make excellent frugal christmas gifts for co-workers, neighbors and friends!