By Dr. Leah Alexander | Published on September 25, 2023 | Last Updated on September 25, 2023
Bear jam is a sweet and fruity condiment that has been around for centuries. It’s the perfect topping for pancakes, waffles, toast, muffins and more! Not only is it delicious, but it also makes an impressive homemade gift idea.
With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a unique and special treat that your family will love. Follow this step-by-step guide for making bear jam and create this amazing jelly! With these instructions, you’ll be able to make a delicious treat that’s sure to impress!
What is Bear Jam?
Bear jam is a special condiment made with a combination of berries. Its popularity has only grown over the years. This type of jelly has become an essential part of many meals. It can be served as a topping for other dishes!
This procedure uses simple ingredients such as butter, sugar, berries, and lemon juice. Bear jam has a great balance of sweetness and tartness making it the perfect condiment for any kind of dish.
Whether you’re looking for a sweet condiment to serve with dinner or a simple snack idea, bear jam is sure to hit the spot!
What does it taste like?
Bear jam is an amazing condiment that will tantalize your taste buds. The combination of berries creates an incredible flavor that’s sure to please. It has a great balance of sweetness from the sugar with the tartness of the lemon juice.
The texture is also delightful! The mixture of butter and sugar creates a thick jam-like consistency that is perfect for spreading on toast or muffins.
How did I first get introduced to the Bear Jam?
I was first introduced to the idea of a bear jam when I visited my Aunt’s house. She had a big jar of it in her pantry and she said it was made from fresh berries that she picked from her backyard.
Ever since then, I had been wanting to make my own version of this unique condiment. So one day I asked my Aunt if she could teach me how to make it. She happily obliged and gave me a detailed recipe with some tips on how to make this delightful treat.
I followed her instructions carefully and found that creating this jam was not as hard as I thought. The process of making the bear jam was incredibly easy and it only took about half an hour to make a batch. The result was a delicious, tart, and sweet condiment.
Since then, I’ve been making batches upon batches of this delightful treat. It’s become a regular part of our meals and I’m sure it will remain in my pantry for many years to come! Thanks to my Aunt, I can now make this amazing bear jam with ease.
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How to make Bear Jam?
Making bear jam is incredibly easy. All you need is a few simple ingredients and some time to let the mixture thicken up.
Ingredients
- Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar is a must-have ingredient for any jam or jelly. It helps to thicken the mixture and adds sweetness to balance out the tartness of the berries.
- Butter: Adding butter to jams or jellies helps to prevent them from becoming too runny, as well as adding a hint of flavor.
- Berries: Berries provide the main taste for this bear jam. You can use any type of berry, fresh or frozen, and mix them as desired.
- Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is used to balance out the sweetness of the jam. It also helps to preserve the color of the berries and gives a bit of tartness to the final product.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and butter. Stir until the butter has melted and the mixture is bubbling.
Step 2
Add in the berries and lemon juice, stirring to combine until all of the ingredients are well incorporated.
Step 3
Increase heat to high and bring to a rolling boil, stirring often. Allow the mixture to boil for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Step 4
As the mixture cooks, use a spoon to mash down any large pieces of berries until it reaches a desired consistency.
Step 5
Once the jam has reached a jam-like consistency and the desired sweetness, turn off the heat.
Step 6
Carefully pour the hot jam into sterilized jars or containers. Seal securely and store in the refrigerator.
Tips
- Make sure to sterilize your jars or containers before adding the hot jam. This will help keep it fresh for longer.
- If you prefer a sweeter jam, add an additional 1/4 cup of sugar.
- If your jam is too thin, simmer uncovered over low heat until the desired consistency is reached.
Nutrition Information
What to serve with Bear Jam?
Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy bear jam:
- Spread it onto toast and top with a sprinkle of honey for the perfect breakfast treat.
- Serve warm over vanilla ice cream for an extra special dessert.
- Mix it into yogurt or oatmeal as a delicious topping.
- Make a PB&J sandwich with it for a classic lunchtime favorite.
- Stir some into plain yogurt and add fresh fruit for a tasty parfait.
- Drizzle over slices of pound cake or cheesecake for an extra special treat.
- Use as a glaze on roasted pork, chicken, or fish.
How to store leftover Bear Jam?
Leftover bear jam can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for about two weeks. You can also freeze the jam for up to one year.
When freezing, make sure to leave a little bit of space at the top of the jar or container because as it freezes the mixture will expand and you don’t want it spilling out.
When thawing, make sure to leave it in the refrigerator overnight. This will ensure that your bear jam is still safe and flavorful.
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, pregnant women are allowed to have bear jams. However, it is important to keep in mind that the berries used for this condiment may contain high levels of sugar and calories. It is best for them to consume only small amounts of bear jam at a time.
When consuming bear jam during pregnancy, make sure that you do not overindulge as this could lead to health issues during the pregnancy. Make sure to eat a balanced diet and practice portion control when eating bear jam.
It is also important to ensure that all ingredients used in making the jam are fresh and not expired in order to avoid any potential food-borne illnesses. It is also recommended to check with your doctor before consuming any bear jam during pregnancy.
Bear Jam Recipe
Equipment
- jars
Ingredients
- 4 cups brown sugar or white granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Melted Butter
- 8 cups fresh berries
- 8 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and sugar together until bubbling.
- Mix in berries and lemon juice, stirring to combine.
- Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Stir often for 10 minutes.
- Use a spoon to mash down any large pieces of berries until the desired consistency is reached.
- Once the jam has reached a jam-like consistency and sweetness, turn off the heat.
- Carefully ladle hot jam into sterilized jars or containers.
Notes
- Make sure to sterilize your jars or containers before adding the hot jam. This will help keep it fresh for longer.
- If you prefer a sweeter jam, add an additional 1/4 cup of sugar.
- If your jam is too thin, simmer uncovered over low heat until the desired consistency is reached.
FAQs
Is Bear Jam vegan?
Yes, bear jam is a naturally vegan food. All of the ingredients are plant-based and do not contain any animal products.
Can I make it sugar-free?
Yes, you can make bear jam sugar-free. You can replace the granulated sugar with an alternative sweetener such as honey or agave nectar. Just keep in mind that this will change the taste profile and texture of your final product.
Can I make it without lemon juice?
Yes, you can make bear jams without lemon juice. Just keep in mind that the tart flavor and color of the berries may not be as prominent as they would be with the addition of lemon juice. It is also important to note that omitting the lemon juice could affect how long your bear jam will stay fresh.
Wrapping Up
Thank you for taking the time to read my guide on how to make a bear jam. I hope that this has been useful and informative.
Please share this article with your friends and family so they can learn how to make this delicious condiment as well.
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.
