In just minutes you can make a jar of Blackberry Preserves using fresh blackberries. The sugar free jam is delicious on toast, yogurt parfaits, ice cream, or breakfast pastries.
One thing I remember from growing up was walking along our country road picking fresh raspberries and blackberries. We always tried to fill a bucket with berries so we could make a pie. But most of the time the few berries we did pick got eaten before we got back home.
There is just something about a fresh warm berry picked right off the bushes. Of course, our kids grew up in town, so the only berry picking they have experienced was on different fruit farms we visited when they were younger. I actually don't think they ever picked blackberries though.
I think they would give me evil glares if I suggested picking berries in the hot sun now. Their idea of picking berries is going to the store and picking out a box that doesn't have mold on it. I get it. That's easier, but I still really do enjoy being out in the fields picking my own berries.
Of course, that isn't always possible, so I take advantage of fruit being on sale. A few weeks ago one of the stores in our area had blackberries for $1 a box.
You bet I picked up at least six boxes that week!!! I needed to make sure we had enough for the fruit monsters to eat, and so I could make more homemade jam.
One thing that I have realized over the past few years is how much sugar is actually in a jar of jelly. It's crazy ridiculous actually. I know that the sugar is to make it sweet.
Fruit is naturally sweet on its own though, so there is NO need to add cups of sugar to any jelly. If you cook fruit down and add a little bit of honey, it is sweet enough.
It also thickens up just fine, although sometimes I add a little cornstarch depending on if I want a fruit sauce or fruit preserves. I left the cornstarch out of this strawberry reduction, and it was plenty thick enough for spooning on top of all the things.
So I have been using different fruits and making my own sugar free jelly. We love using this cherry preserves recipe in chia pudding parfaits and on sandwiches or toast.
Most fruit can just be cooked and thickened without much work. I love the flavor of blackberries, but I absolutely hate all the seeds.
So, when I decided to make blackberry preserves, I knew the seeds had to go. It takes a little bit more work, but the end result is so worth it.
How to make Blackberry Preserves
Place the blackberries in a pan over low heat. Heat the berries until they soften and release their juices.
Mash the berries using a fork or a small potato masher. Remove the pan from the heat and press spoonfuls of the berry mixture through a fine mesh sieve.
Use the back of the spoon to press the mixture firmly against the sieve. Remove the excess pulp and berries and repeat until all the fruit has been pressed through. You should get about ¾ cup of juice.
Whisk a Tablespoon of cornstarch into 2 Tablespoons of the juice. Pour the remaining juice in the pan again.
Stir honey and the cornstarch mixture into the pan of juice and heat over low to medium heat until it comes to a slight boil and thickens. It should take about 3-4 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool before spooning it into a jar. The blackberry preserves will thicken after you refrigerate the mixture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much jam does this recipe make?
This is a small batch recipe. It will make about ½ cup of preserves. This will fill 1-2 jars, depending on the size of the jars.
How long will blackberry preserves last in the fridge?
It depends how many people in your house are eating the preserves. The first batch I made disappeared within a day or two. The second one lasted a little bit longer. The preserves should last at least 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
Can you use other fruits in this homemade preserves recipe?
You sure can. I have used blueberries, cherries, raspberries, and strawberries so far.
More blackberry recipes
- Blackberry Cobbler with cake mix
- Blackberry Crumble Bars
- Blackberry Cream Cheese Danish
- Blackberry Peach Tea
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Recipe
Seedless Blackberry Preserves Recipe
A jar of Homemade Seedless Blackberry Preserves only takes minutes to make. It's delicious on toast, yogurt parfaits, ice cream, or breakfast pastries.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces blackberries (fresh or frozen, see note below)
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Place the berries in a saucepan over low heat. Stir and heat until they soften and release their juice.
- Mash the berries with a fork or potato masher. Remove the pan from the heat.
- Press the mixture one spoonful at a time through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds. Use the back of the spoon to press the berry mixture through. You should get about ¾ cup juice.
- Mix 2 Tablespoons of the juice with the cornstarch.
- Place the rest of the blackberry juice in the pan with the honey. Slowly stir in the cornstarch mixture. Heat over medium heat until thickened. (about 4 minutes)
- Remove the pan from the heat and let cool before placing in a jar and refrigerating.
Notes
*If you use fresh blackberries, add 2 Tablespoons of water to the pan when you cook them down.
**If you use frozen blackberries, thaw partially and drain the excess liquid before cooking. Do not add an additional water because the frozen berries will have some.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 38Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 1g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Cindy
To make a bigger batch would you just increase the ingredients by how many cups you wanted?
Jocelyn
Yes, if you wanted to make a bigger batch you would just need to increase the ingredients. Double the recipe and using 24 ounces of berries makes 1 cup preserves. Doubling that again using 48 ounces berries will make 2 cups preserves and so on. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Ann D
My blackberries were not sweet so I added more honey
Wanda
Can that be put in a hot bath to preserve it longer . ?
Jocelyn
I think so...but I have honestly not tried it, so I can't say for sure. I don't really do any canning or preserving. The recipe only makes one jar, and it didn't last very long in our house because we devoured it. Let me know if you try it and how it works.
Sheri Olson-Rondeau
Yes. I do it all the time. Or temper your jars with hot water before adding blackberry filling, jam, preserves, etc. Make sure it's hot when adding to jars. Wipe rims & lid tightly. Oftentimes you don't need to even water bath them if they're good & hot & you have new lids...they will seal up, just fine. Otherwise water-bath them for 10-15 min.
Jill Fisher
Have you ever tried freezing the Blackberry perseveres instead of refrigerating? We have a ton of blackberries to pick and wondering if I could make up a year's supply and freeze?
Jocelyn
I have never tried to freeze this particular recipe. Mainly because I just make one batch at a time and we eat it right away. I have tried freezing my homemade strawberry pie filling and had good results with that one. So I think this could be frozen and enjoyed all year. Although, I would probably make one batch, freeze it, and then thaw it to see how it works before making a lot of it though.
Sandra Esterline
Yes, I freeze all my jams. But I use pectin instructions from Sure Jell. Do not know why it wouldn't work with honey and cornstarch. Same difference. Only failure one can have is runny jam. And that happens with Sure-Jell also. Just follow the recipe for "low or no sugar jam" on the Sure-Jell site for freezing.
Sheron
Jill if you have to many blackberries you could always send me some... They didn't have blackberries you here in ND... I'm from Louisiana and miss having blackberries..
Carole from Carole's Chatter
I don't know if you do link ups but if you would like to give it a go this would be perfect for the berry theme at the new Food on Friday over at Carole's Chatter. Hope to see you there! Cheers
Julie
I love blackberry jam! So glad that I can make it myself now.
Beth Pierce
I can't believe how easy this is to make! I will have to prepare this for some toast this week!
Jen
I love homemade jellies! They always have so much more flavor and it's fun to make them with the kids.
Taylor
Delicious! Love that it's made with honey instead of sugar. So fresh and has great flavor!
Cindy Willitts
How long does this keep in the refrigerator?
Jocelyn
The first jar I made disappeared within a day or two. The second time I made it, it lasted a little bit longer. I think this would keep in the fridge for 5-7 days though.
Cindy Willitts
Thanks!
Billy
Nothing like homemade jam, looks and sounds delicious~
joan
how many jars does it make?
Jocelyn
The recipe as written makes 1/2 cup preserves which would fill 1-2 jars depending on the size of course.