How To Repair Overcooked Jam

Is your bootleg jam thick and almost like candy? Here's how to ready it.

raspberry blueberry jam

We have touched on this subject area before, merely it remains i of the most asked questions – "how do I fix my overcooked jam?"

Information technology'due south frustrating. Yous spend time, money, and energy to lovingly brand a batch of beautiful jam. You have visions of tucking information technology into Christmas presents or serving it on pinnacle of bootleg biscuits. Your family is impressed past the sheer variety of jammy combinations; apricot-raspberry, apple tree-pear, cherry-lime, combinations you won't discover on any grocery shelves. And then you open up a jar and observe that it is thick. Not merely thick, just gloopy – impossible to spread with a pocketknife, well-nigh gummy candy, gloopy. Ahhhhhh!

You are in skillful company. Most of us who make pectin complimentary jams and other spreads overcook a batch or two every twelvemonth! I personally accept no problems making peach jam, apricot jam or plum anything, but accept great difficulties with drupe or cherry jams. I know people who are the exact opposite and struggle with rock fruit spreads. At that place are some ways to salve overcooked jam. Y'all commonly don't have to toss the whole thing, unless….

Information technology is scorched. If the jam tastes burnt, you might besides face facts and just become it out of your sight and into the garbage. In that location is no way to rehabilitate scorched jam.

If it isn't scorched though, hither are some ideas to try:

Slowly heat it in the microwave, a few seconds at a fourth dimension and then use information technology equally usual.
If it is however as well thick, add some water while heating it in the microwave and and then use it every bit a delicious and unusual pancake or ice cream syrup. (Really, where else would you find Orange Marmalade Ice Cream Sundaes? Your family will think that yous are vivid. And you are!)
Whisk some overcooked jam together with vinegar and love apple sauce to make your own BBQ sauce.
Spoon information technology into the center of homemade jam surprise muffins. I oft employ upward my overcooked jam tucked into the center of peanut butter muffins.
Make your own version of Chicken Cherries Jubilee. See my girl-in-law's version here.
Melt the jam in the microwave and brush it over a freshly baked pound cake or bar cookies. It adds season and helps keep the baked appurtenances moist.
Add together a spoonful to stir-fried vegetables for a flavor boost.
Beat some into buttercream frosting and spread on cupcakes.

Can yous experience your frustrations melting abroad? Good. Yous may determine that overcooked jam is your cooking clandestine ingredient, and next year you'll be intentionally overcooking information technology. At least, that is what you tin tell people!

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What to you do with your overcooked jam?

Renee Pottle, a freelance writer and Home Economist, is fanatic almost all things food. She blogs about canning and food preservation at SeedToPantry.com. Find her professional food writing info at PenandProvisions.com.