Step 1

*Use firm, ripe berries for the best flavor and set. (You don't want to use overripe berries or the jam may be too soft and runny.)

Step 2

Wash and rinse glass or plastic containers. How many you use depends on how big they are. This recipe makes about 7-8 cups of jam.

Step 3

Add berries to a large bowl and lightly mash them. Be careful not to over mash them---hey should still look fairly chunky, but not like whole berries.

Step 4

Measure out exactly 3 cups of mashed berries and pour them into a separate large bowl. (If you have leftover mashed berries you could freeze them for smoothies or use them for topping on pancakes or waffles.)

Step 5

Gradually stir in 1 cup of the sugar to the mashed berries, and stir until sugar is dissolved. Repeat, adding just one cup of sugar at a time and then mixing, until you use up the remaining 4 1/4 cups of sugar.Let stand for 10 minutes.

Step 6

In a small saucepan, stir together pectin with 3/4 cup water. Bring to a rolling boil (a boil that doesn't stop when stirred) over medium-high heat, stirring often. Boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Step 7

Stir pectin into the berries mixture. Continue stirring the mixture until sugar is completely dissolved and no longer grainy. This step is important! (see notes in post above).

Step 8

Pour jam into containers, leaving 1/2in of space at the top of the container, for expansion. Cover with lid and allow jam to rest at room temperature for 24 hours before freezing.

Step 9

Jam will keep for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator, or freeze for up to one year.

Step 10

You might also like Peach Jam or Strawberry Jam!