Caramelized Apple Jam
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Author Notes: This jam is delicious on ice cream, any kind of bread or loaf, and as a savory spread for pork or a ham sandwich. I was seeking a flavor that evoked caramel apples more than an apple pie, and the double use of caramel does the job. My daughter makes a jam that requires many more steps, such as steeping the cores and peels and using the liquid to layer the flavor, but I like the layered doses of caramel and the ease with which this jam is prepared. - Bevi
Makes 6 to 8 half pint jars of jam
- 12 nice sized apples - a firm variety such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Cripps, peeled, cored, and chopped into I" pieces
- 6 to 7 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or more as you like
- 3 cups sugar
- 2 cups fresh apple cider
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- seed from 1 vanilla bean
- 2 tablespoons Calvados (OPTIONAL)
- 1 tablespoon water
- 6 half pint jam jars, with lids and screw tops, properly sterilized
- Place the lemon juice in a large bowl. Peel, core and chop 3 apples at a time and thoroughly mix them into the lemon juice until all the apples are prepared and covered with lemon juice. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside.
- In a very large jam pot or enamel Dutch oven, place 2 and 1/2 cups sugar and 1/2 cup of the cider over a medium high flame. Stir constantly to dissolve the sugar, and continue cooking to boiling. Reduce the heat and continue to stir, producing a light caramel colored syrup. This will take anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes. I usually need 10 minutes.
- Immediately add the apples, the rest of the cider, the apple cider vinegar, and the honey to the jam pot. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, and skim the film that rises to the top with a spoon, then reduce the heat, add the seed from the vanilla bean, (if you want to add Calvados, do so now), and cook, stirring often, for about 30 minutes. Keep the mixture simmering. The apples will retain their shape. throughout the cooking process, but become soft.
- After the apples have cooked for 25 minutes, put the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and a tablespoon of water in a 2 or 3 quart saucepan over medium high heat. Stirring constantly, make a much darker caramel syrup - quite brown in color, being careful to not burn yourself as you prepare the caramel syrup. It may take less time for this batch of syrup to become darker. Pour this syrup immediately into the apple mixture, and stir the mixture well. Don't worry if the caramel seizes a bit - keep stirring and the caramel with soften and meld with the apple mixture. Allow to cook for another 15 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Take a potato masher, and smash about 50% of the apples in the mixture - retaining some pieces for chunkiness, but allowing half of the mixture to take on a jam-like texture. At this point, almost all liquid should be evaporated.
- Fill jam jars, making sure that you pack the jam well, and process in a hot water bath according to your preferred instructions. I process for 15 minutes. Take out of the hot water bath, wait for the "ping" sound that indicates that the jams are sealed, and allow jams to sit for a day. Any jam that does not have a secure seal should be placed in the refrigerator.
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Recipe with Vanilla
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7 months ago lapadia
Love this, yum, mouthwatering!
over 1 year ago AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
So delicious! We love this jam. I used some in TheRunawaySpoon's Fig and Blue Cheese Savouries, as I ran out of fig jam. Outstanding! Thank you, Bevi. ;o)
over 1 year ago Bevi
I am so glad you love it! Happy New Year!
over 1 year ago TheWimpyVegetarian
For some reason, this page won't let me reply to anyone - but wanted to add a note to sdebrango - I love your idea of adding a little of apple or pear jam to an apple pie filling. GENIUS idea!!
over 1 year ago TheWimpyVegetarian
Oh wow - this looks fabulous!! I have a bunch of apples this will be PERFECT for. I can't wait to make it!
over 1 year ago Bevi
Thanks ChezSuzanne! I just went outside with my favorite new toy - my apple picker - and gathered more apples for another batch. My neighbors are kind to recycle the jars back to me.
over 1 year ago TheWimpyVegetarian
I would get so much use out of having an apple tree!!
over 1 year ago Bevi
I have had lots of fun jamming this year and responding to the harvest cycles. The apple tree sits squarely in the sight line of our front door. We have enjoyed LiztheChef's Revenge of the *Apple* Crisp for over a month now. The apples are firm so they take very well to baking.
over 1 year ago Bevi
Thanks AntoniaJames! I am so glad you like the recipe.
over 1 year ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
This is the first jam I opened and its absolutely delicious, thank you for posting the recipe. It's so wonderful I will be needing more soon.
over 1 year ago Bevi
You have the professional stuff, but your wish is my command!
over 1 year ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
I am making apple pie for friends for Thanksgiving, I always add a spoonful of apple or pear jam to the apples. This will be amazing in the pie.
over 1 year ago AntoniaJames
AntoniaJames is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
This make my mouth water just to read the recipe! Definitely going to try this. My family is going to love it. Thanks for posting this. ;o)
over 1 year ago Bevi
Thank you AntoniaJames! I used my "uglies" which are very firm and full of taste. I hope you enjoy! ;-)