Nothing reminds me of the sweet taste of summer quite like blackberries.  Every summer I make a bunch of jam but this year I also made syrup.  This recipe is wonderful and can be used on top of lots of different foods like pancakes of course, ice cream, cheesecake and much more.

Homemade Blackberry Syrup

• 5 cups of blackberry juice (10 cups of blackberries)
• 2 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup Clear Jel (a modified cornstarch to withstand the heat of canning)
• 1 cup Water (3/4 and 1/4 cup)

Using a Canning Food Press to process blackberries for juice. (I highly recommend this handy tool, it is a must for canning, it can be used for canning many different foods)

In large sauce pan add blackberries, sugar, lemon juice and 3/4 water, bring to boil, reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in small bowl add 1/4 cup warm water and 1/4 cup of Clear Jel and mix until Clear Jel dissolves.  Stir into berries and continue to cook for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and pour the syrup into canning jars.   A funnel is another must for canning!

Process jars in canner by boiling in water for 15 minutes.

This single recipe will make 3 pint sized jars.   Enjoy!

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I love July/August in the Pacific Northwest for so many reasons,  but one that is at the top of the list is because of all the blackberries.  We are so fortunate to have blackberries growing wild.   I try and pick them a few times a week to get a stock pile going.  I freeze them to use throughout the year, but the majority of what I pick I use to make jam.   I will usually make 2-3 batches, because I give some away to family and friends.  I usually end up with enough jam to last us an entire year, and because the berries were free it makes it taste that much sweeter.

Making jam is super easy.  If you haven’t canned before here are some of the basic supplies you will need:

• Canning Jars with lids & bands (pint size)
• 5-Piece Home Canning Kit (you can make do without, but nice to have)
• Canner with Rack, 21.5-Quart
• Fox Run 3-Piece Stainless-Steel Chinois Set or small mesh strainer

Blackberry Jam Recipe: (makes 6 pint jars)

• Sure jell
• Sugar
• lemon juice
• Blackberries

The amounts of sugar, lemon juice and berries will be listed on the instructions in Sure Jell box.  Follow directions and quantities exactly as directed to be sure you are canning the jam safely.

The first step is to get as much juice from the berries by using a food mill or some kind of strainer.  My recipe called for 7 cups of mashed blackberries.  I don’t like a lot of seeds in my jam so I used about 10 cups of blackberries and mashed them to get the juice.  Once I had a little more then 5 cups of juice I added the mashed blackberries to the juice.

In large sauce pan add the berry/juice mixture and the Sure Jell.  Bring to boil.

Following box instructions add sugar after boiling time is complete.

Bring to a boil and then removing the foam with a spoon.

Add jam in to sterile jars with 1/2 inch room at the top.

Place filled jars into canning bath for the amount of time as directed. 10-15 minutes

Label your jars and enjoy the sweet goodness all year long.

The post How to Can Blackberry Jam appeared first on Gather Lemons.

One of Amazon’s Gold Box deals of the day is on the Silhouette Cameo Cutter and Starter Kit Bundle, it is priced at only $194.99 (reg $344.95).  These are great for scrapbook layouts, cards, custom apparel, vinyl decor, etched glass, sketch designs, and paper crafts!

The silhouette cameo starter bundle includes:

• extra mat (2 total), cutting blade (2 total), metallic pen set & pick-me-up-tool
• 50 exclusive cuttable designs and $10 gift card to the Silhouette Online Store. Gift Card not included
• access to thousands of downloadable designs; Includes PC and Mac compatible software, Download Card of 10$ is included
• cuts up to 12-inch wide and 10-feet long; cuts a variety of materials from vinyl to fabric

There are so many neat things you can do with these machines, you can make gifts, organizational items for my home, home decor, fabric projects and more. You will LOVE it!!

This prices is valid today (5/7) while supplies last.

The post Silhouette CAMEO Bundle only $194.99 + FREE Shipping appeared first on Gather Lemons.

Interested in making some for yourself? Here is what you will need:

Ball Simple Creations No Cook Freezer Jam Fruit Pectin

1/1/2 cups sugar

Pour in the packet of Fruit Pectin and mix with sugar.

Add 4 cups crushed strawberries to the sugar and pectin mix, stir for 3 minutes.  When crushing the strawberries, you can have a a few chunks of strawberries, or make it more smooth, whichever you prefer.

I like to use these Ball plastic containers, they are the perfect size.

Pour the strawberry Freezer Jam into the containers and freeze. Super simple and so delicious!!

Next up: Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate

The post Super Simple No Cook Strawberry Freezer Jam appeared first on Gather Lemons.