How-To & Diy

Thinking Beyond Toast: The Best Uses for Jam

August 10, 2013

There are so many great conversations on the Hotline -- it's hard to choose a favorite. But we'll be doing it, once a week, to spread the wealth of our community's knowledge -- and to keep the conversation going.

Today: Jam is for so much more than just toast.

Pickled Strawberry Jam from Food52

Shop the Story

Maybe all of this fresh summer fruit has led to a canning frenzy, or maybe we simply overstocked at the grocery store. Whatever the case may be, there comes a time each year when we find ourselves staring at extra jars of jam, eager to use the sticky, sweet stuff, yet unable to imagine eating yet another piece of toast. What's one to do with all of those preserves?

Luckily, our community has some great ideas for using jam that don't involve slathering it on bread. Here are some of the best tips from the Hotline so far: 

  • Bake, bake, bake! Jam is the ideal filling for thumbprint cookies and linzer tarts. It also makes a great addition to coffee or crumb cakes
  • For an easy treat, whip up some raspberry squares following RespectThePastry's tried-and-true instructions: make an easy shortbread dough, top with a layer of preserves, sprinkle some more dough over top, and then bake until golden brown. 
  • Use jam between the layers of a cake.
  • Mix 1 cup of jam with 1 1/2 cups of butter to make a spread, as JanetFL suggests.

What's your favorite way to use jam? Add your two cents to the question on the Hotline here or continue the conversation in the comments below!

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • landseergirl
    landseergirl
  • Jennifer
    Jennifer
  • kkimberly
    kkimberly
  • The Hillbilly Housewife
    The Hillbilly Housewife
  • ZombieCupcake
    ZombieCupcake
I used to work at Food52. I'm probably the person who picked all of the cookie dough out of the cookie dough ice cream.

37 Comments

landseergirl August 25, 2013
Use Raspberry or apricot jam, add balsamic vinegar or soy, chopped garlic, ginger and use as a sauce over chicken. Use lots of different things depending on whether you use the soy or balsamic
 
Jennifer August 12, 2013
In a marinade (poultry, meat, fish).
 
kkimberly August 12, 2013
Bakewell tart and Eton mess (homemade jam only of course), porridge, doughnuts and also good in cocktails
 
The H. August 12, 2013
I love using homemade jam in oatmeal and stir it into plain homemade yogurt.
 
ZombieCupcake August 12, 2013
Pb and j oatmeal or pancakes are one of my favorite ways to start the day
 
Marian B. August 12, 2013
I love PB&J oatmeal!
 
walkie74 August 12, 2013
Man, my mom used to make jelly cakes years ago when I was a kid...I never thought to try jam, though. What a great idea!
 
Socalgal52 August 25, 2013
Do you have the recipe for jelly cakes that you could share?
 
walkie74 September 1, 2013
Now that you've inspired me to write it down, here you go!
http://food52.com/recipes/23704-old-fashioned-apple-jelly-cake
 
Socalgal52 September 1, 2013
Ooh, thank you. This is much easier and lighter than I thought. My mom used to make a chiffon with fruit custard. What a treat this will be
 
PazzoNico August 12, 2013
Certain preserves (cherry, peach, orange) can be used as a base for mostarda or chutney.
For mostarda, simmer it with some wine, some kind of dried fruit, mustard seeds, herbs (rosemary, thyme, etc.) and hit of mustard at the end. Served with duck or pork.
 
rainey August 12, 2013
I am partial to fig preserves and conserved onions with mustard.
 
Lee A. August 12, 2013
In the UK they add it to rice, semolina and tapioca milk puddings. Also jam tarts. Yum..fond memories.
 
Swaki August 11, 2013
Mix up some cream cheese with chevre, minced rosemary and a bit of freshly ground pepper. Top with fig jam. Serve with crackers. It is delicious.
 
Gen August 11, 2013
I like to just throw a little scoop in plain yogurt for breakfast :)
 
savorthis August 11, 2013
Graham crackers, cream cheese and raspberry jam are a great, quick faux cheesecake treat and I use apricot jam all the time to add sweetness to sauces, glazes and dips.
 
KathyTS August 11, 2013
I always have some of those Athens phyllo cups (freezer section of supermarket) in my freezer. Put a small cube of brie in each one and top with jam--bake at 350 until cheese melts. WOW.
 
ChefJune August 11, 2013
oooh oooh!
 
GammaCheryl August 11, 2013
Don't throw out those last drops of jam in the jar - Add equal parts oil and vinegar to the jar, give it a good shake, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Instant Fruity Vinaigrette Dressing.
 
krisanderic August 11, 2013
Oh, hello!
 
savorthis August 11, 2013
I make dressing from fig jam, Dijon, various vinegars and nut oils all the time!
 
Pat A. August 11, 2013
If you make your own ice cream, add it at the last moment for a swirl of flavour.
 
spacekase August 11, 2013
grilled cheese: raspberry jam, grilled jalapeños, sharp cheddar on thick sourdough or a wheat-berry wheat. also love apricot jam, chevre, and a thin slice of emmentaler.
 
Baketress August 11, 2013
Bakewell tart,
with whipped cream in a jelly roll,
in Gâteau Basque.
 
patti August 11, 2013
i use apricot preserves with minced ginger for bbq pork,boston butts or even whole fresh picnics .you can even add some bourbon for more flavor .i put a paprika spice rub on raw meat ,then baste with my sauce after .is to die for
 
Stephanie August 15, 2013
Yum! Please add the recipe, I'd love to try it.
 
Mrs C. August 11, 2013
Dilute your choice of jam/jelly with a good slosh of Port wine, heat in a pot and glaze your roast ham (studded with cloves or not) or roasted roots (beets, parsnips, etc.). Use clear jellies (warmed - undiluted in a pot) to brush over fruit & custard tarts or pour over a creamy fruit terrine mould as an jewel-like 'aspic' layer.
 
Bevi August 11, 2013
Jam and cheddar or jarlsburg cheese on bread or crackers.
 
ChefJune August 11, 2013
Top ice cream with it for am impromptu sundae. Trifles. Crostatas. Stir in some caramelized onions to peach, fig or apricot preserves for a great condiment to go with pork.