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jar of homemade elderberry jam

🍇 Elderberry Jam

A rich, deep-purple jam made with elderberries and apples or pears for natural sweetness and pectin. Perfect for spreading on bread or stirring into yogurt.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 2 small jar (200ml)
Course: Breakfast, Jam/Spreads, Preserves
Cuisine: European, International
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g Fresh elderberries stems removed
  • 250 g Apples or pears peeled, cored, chopped
  • 250 g Sugar adjust to taste
  • 1 Lemon juice

Equipment

  • 1 Saucepan
  • 1 Wooden spoon
  • 1 Potato masher
  • 2 Sterilized jars

Method
 

  1. Place elderberries and chopped apples/pears in a saucepan. Add lemon juice.
  2. Simmer gently for 20–25 minutes until fruit softens. Mash with a potato masher.
  3. Stir in sugar and continue cooking for 15–20 minutes, stirring often, until jam thickens.
  4. Test by placing a small spoonful on a chilled plate: if it wrinkles when pushed, it’s ready.
  5. Pour hot jam into sterilized jars, seal, and let cool. Store in a cool, dark place.

Notes

⚠️ Safety: Always remove elderberry stems and cook thoroughly before eating. Raw elderberries are not safe.
💡 Tip: Apples add natural pectin for thickening, while pears make the jam sweeter and milder.