The ULTIMATE Guide to Freezer Jam ~ put away the big canning pot, the tongs, and all that pesky canning equipment, freezer jam is so much easier!  Get your creative juices flowing with this collection of the world’s best freezer jam recipes ~ I’ve organized them by season, so you’ll never be without something wonderful to spread on your morning toast!

First up, there are a few tips that apply when making a great freezer jam, no matter which of the following recipes you decide to make~

• Freezer and small batch jams are quick, easy, and have better color and flavor than canned jams.  They maintain more of the integrity of the fruit and tend to be a healthier alternative to sugar laden preserves.
  
• You can make freezer jam with any amount of fruit, even just a handful, so experiment with unusual fruits, or get creative and and feel free to mix and match!  Combine different berries together, or pair berries with stone fruit.
  
• You can use fresh or frozen fruit, both will work.
  
• Even though you will not be canning your jams and jellies, be sure to start with scrupulously clean jars.
  
• Freezer jam recipes don’t require the large amounts of sugar that canning recipes do, so feel free to use minimal sugar, or none at all for a super healthy product.  Note: I find a little bit of sugar can actually serve to intensify the flavor of the fruit, so I will sometimes add a bit for that reason.
  

• Pectin is optional, you can thicken your jam by cooking it down on the stove until it thickens naturally as the moisture evaporates.  Pectin comes in dry or liquid form, and some is specifically made for low sugar recipes… if a recipe calls for pectin, follow the directions carefully and don’t try to substitute one type for another.
  
• Kick up the flavor of your jam with lemon juice, or even a little bit of liqueur.  I like to use a touch of spice, like cinnamon or cardamom with fall jams.

How to Freeze any jam ~

• Did you know that ANY jam recipe can be converted to a freezer jam, just skip the canning stage and send right to the freezer after cooling.
• After ladling your hot jam into clean jars, let  it cool completely at room temperature before capping and refrigerating or freezing.  You can freeze jam in plastic or glass, and you can even freeze jam in zip lock freezer bags, just be sure to press out any extra air before zipping them up.
  
• Be sure to leave at least 1/2 inch free space at the top of the jar to allow for expansion in the freezer.
  
• Jams and jellies will keep for a month in the refrigerator, but up to a year in the freezer.