Honey Jam: Small-Batch Fruit Jam Sweetened with Honey

How jam sets

Jam thickens through a partnership between pectin, acid and sugar. Pectin is a natural fiber in fruit; acid from fruit or lemon helps it link together; and sugar draws water away so the pectin network can form. Apples, citrus peels and some plums are high in pectin, while strawberries, cherries and blueberries are lower and set more softly, as the National Center for Home Food Preservation explains.

How honey changes jam

Honey is sweeter than sugar, so you need less, and it contains water, so jam may take a little longer to thicken. Its flavor is noticeable, especially in large amounts, and too much honey can mask delicate fruit. Honey also browns faster, so stir often and keep heat at a lively simmer rather than a hard boil. Expect a softer, spoonable set compared with sugar jam.

Small-batch honey jam recipe

Put two cups of chopped ripe fruit, a third to half a cup of honey and one tablespoon of lemon juice in a wide pan. Bring to a simmer, mashing the fruit as it softens. Cook, stirring often, for 15 to 25 minutes until thick and glossy. Spoon a little onto a plate chilled in the freezer; if it wrinkles when pushed, it is ready. Pour into a clean jar, cool and refrigerate.

• 2 cups chopped fruit
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Simmer 15 to 25 minutes, stirring
• Test on a cold plate

Fruit and honey pairings

Match the honey to the fruit:

Chia seed honey jam

For a quick, lightly sweet jam, simmer two cups of berries for five minutes until saucy, stir in two tablespoons of honey and two tablespoons of chia seeds, and let it sit for 15 minutes. The chia seeds absorb liquid and thicken the jam without long cooking. It keeps about a week in the fridge. Our article on honey and chia seeds has more ideas.

Using pectin with honey

Some powdered pectins are designed for low or no sugar and allow honey as the sweetener. Follow the package directions exactly, since each pectin has its own ratio and steps. Regular pectin relies on a large amount of sugar and may not set properly when honey is swapped in.

Canning honey jam safely

For pantry-stable jam, use a tested recipe written for honey and process jars in a boiling-water canner as directed. The National Center for Home Food Preservation advises that honey can replace part of the sugar in tested recipes, recommends against paraffin seals, and notes that reduced-sugar refrigerator spreads must be refrigerated and eaten within a month.

Storage

Refrigerator honey jam keeps about three weeks in a clean, covered jar. Freeze extra in small containers for up to six months, leaving room for expansion. Always use a clean spoon, and discard any jam with mold, fizzing or an off smell.

Fixing runny or stiff jam

If jam is runny after cooling, return it to the pan and simmer a few more minutes, or stir in a tablespoon of chia seeds. If it is too stiff, warm it gently with a splash of water or fruit juice. Remember that jam thickens a lot as it cools.

Ways to use honey jam

Spread it on toast and biscuits, swirl it into yogurt and oatmeal, spoon it over honey and ricotta toast, use it in thumbprint cookies or serve it with cheese. A spoon of fig honey jam beside aged cheddar is a simple, elegant snack.

Sugar per spoon

A tablespoon of honey jam has roughly 8 to 10 grams of sugar, depending on the fruit and honey ratio. Because honey is sweeter than sugar, honey jam often has less total sweetener than a classic jam.

Which honey for jam

Raw Blueberry Blossom Honey, harvested in New York State, is a natural partner for berry jam. Raw Orange Blossom Honey, from Florida, perfumes peach and apricot jam. Raw Buckwheat Honey, from New York State, makes fig and plum jam rich and dark.

Kids and honey jam

Honey jam is fine for children over 12 months. Never give honey to babies under 12 months, even cooked into jam, as the CDC advises.

The takeaway on honey jam

Honey jam is easy in small batches: fruit, honey, lemon and a wide pan. Expect a softer set, store it in the fridge or freezer, and use tested recipes for canning.

Honey for jam season

Pair Raw Blueberry Blossom Honey with summer berries and Raw Orange Blossom Honey with stone fruit. Save with a 3 jar or 6 jar pack of any honey, and orders over $50 ship free. Visit our shop.