By 
This post is sponsored by Ball® Fresh Preserving Products by Newell Brands, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
About a month into Summer we were already scrambling to find things to do in my house. Crafts are fun but messy. Going on adventures is fun but those can get expensive. Napping is awesome but my kids don’t seem to want to get on the bandwagon with that one. So I decided to try something brand new, something I thought I could never do, but something that the girls and I could do together… small-batch canning. And you want to know a secret? It was actually easy and FUN!
I CAN do it!
Our home is surrounded by sweet, kind people that we love like family. Every Christmas, my daughters and I bake cookies and deliver them to our favorite neighbors. That got me thinking… why don’t we do something nice for them more than once a year? So, in partnering with Ball® Mason jars, we have decided to start a Summertime tradition of gift giving. Each year, starting now, we will try a few small-batch canning recipes and the one we like the best will get delivered to our favorite neighbors. It’s our special way of saying thank you to them for caring about us.
What is Small-Batch Canning?
When you think of canning, you may think it’s something that your Grandparents and Great-Grandparents did in the good ol’ days. But, it’s actually making a comeback! It’s something I’ve always wanted to try, but I was afraid I wouldn’t get it right. Small-batch canning is actually a great way to save money. You can preserve foods to last longer and it can be conveniently stored for future meals or to be given gifts, as we are going to do.
There are so many recipes to choose from. My 8 year old went through the Ball® Guide to Preserving and made a list of recipes that she wanted to make this Summer. Her list had my mouth watering with recipes including Basil-Garlic Tomato Sauce, Dilled Green Tomatoes, Maple Walnut Syrup, and one of our family favorites, Green Mangoes. After great deliberation, we decided to start with a classic, the Mixed Berry Jam.
My youngest was in charge of choosing the berries. She chose fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries and it was the perfect combination! My oldest helped to crush the berries. One thing we learned in the process was not to crush them too much, or your jelly will be a little on the runny side. Aside from that, we found it to be very easy, especially with the Ball® Canning Starter Kit which included almost everything you need to get started.
The jam was ready in 24 hours and I couldn’t keep my kids out of the jars. They loved the sweet, fresh flavor of the jam even more so, because they helped to make it. Teaching my kids to love cooking is so important to me. I love that we can pass the recipes and traditions down through future generations.
I can honestly say that canning is addictive! Once you get started you’ll discover all types of fun recipes to try! We are working our way down the list right now and can’t wait to see how they all turn out! Next on our list is the Dilled Green Tomatoes (yum!).
The girls are having a hard time parting with their Mixed Berry Jam, but they are excited to see the looks on the faces of their neighbors when we hand deliver the jars this week.
Ingredients
- 4 cups crushed berries, mix and match your favorites such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and/or raspberries
- 4 ½ tbsp Ball® RealFruit™ Classic Pectin
- 3 cups sugar
- Tools Needed:
- Ball® Half-Pint Jars with Lids/Bands
- Water bath canner
- Jar lifter
- Common kitchen utensils
- Large saucepan or Dutch oven
- Canning Funnel
Instructions
- Prepare boiling water canner.
- Heat jars in simmering water until ready for use.
- Do not boil.
- Wash lids in warm soapy water and set bands aside.
- Combine berries in an 8-quart saucepan.
- Gradually stir in pectin.
- Bring mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over high heat, stirring constantly.
- Add entire measure of sugar, stirring to dissolve.
- Return mixture to a full rolling boil.
- Boil hard 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Remove from heat.
- Skim foam, if necessary.
- Ladle hot jam into a hot jar leaving a ¼ inch headspace.
- Remove air bubbles.
- Wipe jar rim.
- Center lid on jar and apply band, adjust to fingertip tight.
- Place jar in boiling water canner.
- Repeat until all jars are filled.
- Process jars 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude.
- Turn off heat, remove lid, let jars stand 5 minutes.
- Remove jars and cool 12-24 hours.
- Check lids for seal, they should not flex when center is pressed.
Want to make your own Mixed Berry Jam, here’s a handy list of tools and where to purchase:
- Make your batch your own with these fun custom jar tags!
- Check out this book found at Walmart, Target, and Amazon: http://bit.ly/CanningBookBall
Click here for more Ball® recipes and canning ideas!
Have you ever tried small-batch canning? Comment below and let us know!
Not ready to try small-batch canning now? Pin for later >>
Boniface Muriuki
September 3, 2018Excellent tips here. This is a must try!
Sharon
August 24, 2018This berry jam looks so good! A great way to keep those summer berries preserved to use through the year.
cassy french | blissfully her
August 24, 2018i had no idea they had starter kits! definitely makes it easy. i’ve always wanted to try canning, but was intimidated by the process. this gives me some motivation though! the jam look delicious, but i’d love to try the tomato sauce too since we use a ton of that in my house!
– cassy | blissfullyher.com
Laura Liira
August 23, 2018THis looks delicious and such a fun activity for kids! pinning this for the future, thank ya!
Mariah
August 23, 2018This would make such a good Christmas gift for neighbors! It looks so yummy!
Rachel
August 23, 2018This looks INCREDIBLE! I’ve been too afraid to can anything, but I have three pressure cookers so I should just give it a shot!
Olga Zak
August 20, 2018That jam looks super yummy! I feel hungry on seeing it. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Kate
August 17, 2018As a child, I used to make jam with my nan and it’s definitely something I would love to try again. Your photos are amazing, Heather. Thank you for the recipe.
Suzanne
August 16, 2018OMG I love jam! This is the perfect summer activity with kids too! So berry delicious! 🙂
eliza
August 16, 2018This is one of our favorite tasks, making a jam. Either its a fruit or mixed jam – my niece would love to be involved. And this is one of the ways I bond with them. Great share and thanks for the recipe!
Maddy Gutierrez
August 15, 2018I love making jam! I’ve never made the kind that uses pectin, but “cheater freezer jam” is my jam! 😛 Using mixed berries sounds amazing!
sammi
August 15, 2018The jam looks great. The kids did a good job. It’s not easy to make children have berries otherwise and they are so good for health.
Ada
August 15, 2018Omg this looks so good! I love jam! I definitely have to try and see if I can make my own now.
Shilpa Bindlish
August 15, 2018My mom in law loves making jams and I am gonna share your recipe with her so that our family can also enjoy the taste of this yummy berry jam ?
passportofawanderwoman
August 14, 2018I would love to make this recipe!!! Your photos are amazing
passportofawanderwoman
August 14, 2018I love this recipe…I like berries but usually find them to be very sour…but if I can make this…that would be lovely
Maysz
August 14, 2018I never heard Mixed Berry Jam before but it is looks perfect to made. I will try to make that mixed jam thanks for sharing!
Lavanda Michelle
August 14, 2018This looks like so much fun to do! I totally want to make my own jam.
S. Dallas Prevost, MD
August 14, 2018Great post! Thanks for sharing.
As an Anti-Aging & Wellness Consultant, I always encourage my clients to eat a diet high in antioxidants and to supplement with high-potency vitamin that’s also high in antioxidants. Below is some reasons why I particularly like your recipe:
Strawberries are an excellent source of fiber, folate and potassium. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ranked strawberries third out of more than 1,000 antioxidant-rich foods. Strawberries also contain anthocyanins, which may help protect the nervous system and blood vessels.Studies have shown that strawberries can help protect against several types of cancer, including breast, colon and leukemia. Research has also found that strawberries help decrease inflammation and control type 2 diabetes.
Blueberries are a rich source of antioxidant vitamin C, vitamin K and manganese. Research has found that blueberries may help prevent prostate cancer and protect against heart disease. Blueberry extract may help improve memory, balance and coordination—potentially promising for those with Alzheimer’s disease.
Raspberries are a good source of fiber, phosphorus and selenium. Raspberries contain anthocyanins and another phytonutrient called quercetin, found to help slow cancer growth. Studies have shown that raspberries may be useful in preventing esophageal and liver cancer. Raspberries have also been shown to help control blood sugar in diabetics and help prevent liver damage.
Blackberries are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins C and K and manganese. Other all the above mentioned berries, blackberries have been found to have the highest amount of antioxidants. They’re also bursting with all types of phytonutrients, which have been shown to help fight or prevent cancers like liver, colon, lung and esophageal. Blackberries also contain quercetin, an antioxidant that may help decrease the risk of heart disease.
Jenn @ EngineerMommy
August 14, 2018I haven’t made jam in years. This looks so much fun! I totally want to make my own jam now too!
Alexa Ivory Bristow
August 14, 2018I’ve never tried small-batch canning before. But that jar of mixed berries looks absolutely tasty!
Farrah Less
August 14, 2018I’ve been wanted to do this since we love picking fresh fruits from a local family own farm. Now I think I found a great recipe for Jam. My family and I are very thrilled with this.
Yeah Lifestyle
August 14, 2018I really must give jam making a go – we go through a lot in my house and we do love homemade jam so it seems like a logical next step. Your jam looks so delicious!
Becca Wilson
August 14, 2018This jam looks like it would be so good. I absolutely love a good tasting jam on english muffins or biscuits.
Lisa Favre
August 14, 2018You used all of my favorite berries! Also, great that you used them because they are easy to find at grocery stores – some fruit are really only in-season so it’s more of a challenge to get them year-round.
Vyjay Rao
August 14, 2018There is nothing to beat homemade jams. They are always so fresh, organic and free of any chemicals. The mixed berries jam looks really yummy and something we need to try at our place too.
Chubskulit Rose
August 14, 2018When I was in highschool, making jam is my favorite thing to prepare not in my kitchen but in our school kitchen. This reminds me of those memories.
Karen Morse
August 14, 2018Such an awesome way to use up all the produce that we have and make sure we have some more for the colder months! I love the concept of canning. Definitely something we should all try!
Tamalyn
August 14, 2018This is such an adorable post!!! We love making homemade strawberries too! We just finished fermenting two giant jars of sauerkraut – with Kate working hard to “massage” the shredded cabbage with salt. And we use BALL jars for everything – even for organizing their homework cart.
I want to try making Dilled Green Tomatoes – that sounds so so delicious! Your neighbors must be so happy with their summertime gifts – what a way to teach your kiddos about giving around the year!
kumamonjeng
August 14, 2018I like how you used all the fresh ingredient to make these jam. It didnt look so complicated at all so going to try this out in the weekend. Lastly, I love the cute jars you have.
Sundeep Bhatia
August 14, 2018The way you explained this , seems very simple and doable. Going to try this very soon.
Ricci
August 14, 2018That jam sounds pretty easy and super delicious! I need to try that for myself ASAP!
blair villanueva
August 14, 2018My Mother is a huge fan of making jam and canning. She shares it as gifts to her friends, and even host a jam-making party. It was fun and delicious!
Carol Cassara
August 14, 2018I used to make jams at home! I don’t remember why I stopped! I think it’s awesome that they have a kit and that they encourage people to start canning. It’s healthier and it’s not difficult at all.
Suzanne Melton
August 13, 2018Making jam with my mom was one of my favorite childhood memories. I can’t wait to pass that same love along to my little one. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Amber
August 13, 2018I have never tried canning! I really want to though! Would be great to make jams like this and big batches of marinara sauce and whatever else! This looks like a good recipe to start with.
Pam
August 13, 2018I used to can all the time with my mom. I love that it is making a comeback now.
Julie @ openwidetheworld.com
August 13, 2018Yes, yes, yes to intergenerational traditions! And even better when those traditions are delicious. Love that you did this with your girls… now to get the courage to try with my own…
Melissa
August 13, 2018My sister makes jam. We are on a special eating plan and can’t have it though. It looks delicious!
Julie
August 13, 2018I made this jam too and it turned out SO good! Seriously my favorite jam EVER.
Tara Pittman
August 13, 2018We have lots of blueberries in the fidge and the youngest was asking for me to make jam with them. Now I have a recipe to try.
Scott Gombar
August 13, 2018My mother in law does this with other foods. I might have her do this too.
Susan
August 13, 2018I LOVE mixed berry jam and have never made it from scratch…but after your post I am going to give it a try! pinned
Vicky
August 13, 2018I have been wanting to try canning. I think they would make wonderful holiday gifts for teachers and neighbors. Thanks for the easy and clear instructions.
Jeanette
August 13, 2018That looks absolutely amazing! I used to make freezer jam a lot but I have not done that in years. I need to try this one it has all the fruits that we love in one jar.
Melissa Chapman
August 13, 2018It is so great that you can stretch out the summer fruits with this jam you can have later in the year. It makes it more fun when you have your kids helping.
Tasheena
August 13, 2018I can’t wait to try this recipe. I’ve always wanted to try canning and this would be the perfect start.
Terri Steffes
August 13, 2018I’ve made jams before, and I used the same jars. I love that they are pretty, and functional. I save mine from year to year. I have had to replace ones I have broken but I am able to find these year after year. Great product.
wendy
August 13, 2018This looks so good! I remember eating homemade jams that my mom made. I always loved the flavors.
Alli Smith
August 13, 2018I haven’t canned any jam this summer. I have in the past and I need to try your mixed berry jam. It looks so delicious and you just can’t beat the fresh taste of homemade jams and jellies.
robin rue
August 13, 2018I have never made jam (well, actually we call it jelly around here) before. I use jelly almost every morning so I should try making my own one of these days.