Easy Freezer Jam

I love freezer jam. It tastes, SERIOUSLY, just like the fresh fruit. Not like canned jellies and jams. Those taste good but it doesn't taste like the fruit when it's finished. And it is really easy to make! Start to finish maybe 30 minutes, if that! We've made blackberry, apricot, and strawberry freezer jam this Summer and we're looking forward to the yumminess all winter!

If you've never made freezer jam, this deal at Lee's Marketplace makes for a good reason to give it a go!

$1.25 a lb is a great price! At my local Lee's they also had 3 lb. containers for 2.99! An even better price point at a buck a pound!

You'll need your fruit, a package of pectin (I got the store brand), and sugar. Depending on the kind of fruit you may also need lemon juice. The directions of how much fruit to sugar and if you need lemon juice or not will be in the pectin package. 

For strawberry freezer jam you need two cups of crushed strawberries. I used a potato masher to crush them, but when it didn't get as crushed as I would like, I pulled out the meat tenderizer and smashed them some more! You could also use a food processor much faster and easily but I didn't want the extra dishes!

When they're done, they should look like this.

Now add 4 cups of sugar. That's right. 4 CUPS OF SUGAR!! Mix it well and let it sit for 10 minutes. You'll want to stir every once in a while during the 10 minutes. 

While the strawberries are standing, whisk together the entire packet of pectin and 3/4 c. water. It might be a little lumpy. Stirring constantly, heat to boiling and stir for 1 minute.

Remove from heat and stir into strawberry mixture for 3 minutes or until the sugar is dissolved (a few granules may remain).

Then all that's left is to add it to your containers! I've used both tupperware containers and glass jars in the past. Both freeze great. This time I used glass jars. You'll want to fill them to a 1/2 inch headspace.

The jars need to sit on the counter for 24 hours and then can be placed in the freezer for longer storage or in the fridge to be eaten now!

So pretty and so yummy!