Olivia Carter
If you are a fan of homemade jellies and jams, then you must try making black raspberry freezer jelly. This delicious jelly is made from fresh black raspberries and can be enjoyed all year round. It’s perfect for toast, biscuits, or even as a topping for your favorite dessert. Making black raspberry freezer jelly is easier than you think, and the results are absolutely mouthwatering.
Step 1: Harvest Fresh Black Raspberries
Before you can make black raspberry freezer jelly, you need to gather fresh black raspberries. Look for ripe raspberries that are plump and juicy. It’s best to pick them early in the morning when they are at their sweetest. Make sure to wash the raspberries thoroughly and remove any stems or leaves.
Step 2: Prepare the Raspberry Juice
To make black raspberry freezer jelly, you need to extract the juice from the raspberries. Place the cleaned raspberries in a saucepan and crush them with a potato masher. Cook the raspberries over medium heat until they release their juice. Once the raspberries have softened, pour them into a jelly bag or cheesecloth-lined colander to strain the juice. Allow the juice to drip into a bowl overnight.
Step 3: Make the Black Raspberry Freezer Jelly
Now it’s time to turn the raspberry juice into jelly. Measure the amount of juice you collected and pour it into a large saucepan. Add an equal amount of granulated sugar and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Cook the mixture for 2-3 minutes, then remove from heat.
Note: If you want a firmer jelly, you can add pectin to the raspberry juice-sugar mixture according to the package instructions.
Step 4: Preserve the Jelly
Pour the hot black raspberry jelly into clean, sterilized containers, leaving about 1/4 inch headspace. Cover the containers with lids and let them cool to room temperature. Once cooled, store the jelly in the freezer for up to 1 year. To serve, simply thaw the jelly in the refrigerator overnight. Enjoy the taste of summer any time of the year with this luscious black raspberry freezer jelly!
Ingredients for Black Raspberry Freezer Jelly
To make black raspberry freezer jelly, you will need the following ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Black raspberries | 4 cups |
| Granulated sugar | 4 cups |
| Lemon juice | 1/4 cup |
| Pectin | 1 pouch (1.75 ounces) |
| Water | 1 cup |
Make sure to gather fresh black raspberries for the best flavor. Additionally, be sure to have enough granulated sugar to sweeten the jelly and provide the desired texture. Lemon juice adds a hint of acidity and helps with the jelling process, while pectin serves as a thickening agent. Finally, water is needed to dissolve the pectin and create the jelly base.
Once you have all the ingredients ready, you can proceed with the jelly making process.
Preparation for Making Black Raspberry Freezer Jelly
Before you begin making black raspberry freezer jelly, it’s important to gather all the necessary ingredients and equipment. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of black raspberries
- 4 cups of granulated sugar
- 1 box of powdered fruit pectin
- 1/2 cup of lemon juice
Equipment:
- Large pot
- Mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Jelly jars with lids
- Water bath canner
- Canning funnel
- Ladle
Once you have everything prepared, here are the steps to make black raspberry freezer jelly:
Step 1: Prepare the Fruit
Thoroughly wash the black raspberries and remove any stems or leaves. Use a potato masher or fork to crush the raspberries in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
Step 2: Cook the Fruit Mixture
In a large pot, combine the crushed black raspberries, lemon juice, and powdered fruit pectin. Stir well to mix. Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Once it reaches a rolling boil, add the sugar and continue stirring until dissolved. Boil for another minute.
Step 3: Fill the Jars
Using a canning funnel, carefully pour the hot jelly mixture into sterilized jelly jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars clean with a damp cloth. Place the lids on the jars and screw on the bands until fingertip tight.
Step 4: Freeze the Jelly
Allow the jelly to cool at room temperature for a few hours, then transfer the filled jars to the freezer. Freeze for at least 24 hours to allow the jelly to set. The freezer jelly can be stored in the freezer for up to one year.
That’s it! You’ve successfully prepared black raspberry freezer jelly. Now you can enjoy this delicious treat on toast, muffins, or pancakes any time you like!
Straining and Boiling Process for Black Raspberry Freezer Jelly
Step 1: Straining the black raspberries
After picking your fresh black raspberries, gently rinse them under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Next, place the berries in a fine-mesh strainer and gently crush them with a wooden spoon to release their juices. Allow the berries to strain for about 10 minutes, pressing them down with the back of the spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the seeds and pulp left in the strainer.
Step 2: Preparing the juice mixture
In a large saucepan, combine the strained black raspberry juice with lemon juice and pectin. Stir well to ensure the pectin is fully dissolved. Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
Step 3: Boiling the mixture
Once the black raspberry mixture is boiling, add in the sugar. Stir well to dissolve the sugar completely. Continue to stir the mixture constantly for about 1 minute to ensure everything is well combined.
Step 4: Testing for gel set
To test if the jelly has reached the desired gel set, spoon a small amount onto a chilled plate and place it in the freezer for a couple of minutes. Remove the plate from the freezer and gently push the edge of the jelly with your finger. If it wrinkles and holds its shape, it is ready. If not, continue boiling the mixture for another minute and test again.
Step 5: Preparing the jars
While the jelly is boiling, sterilize your jars and lids by placing them in a pot of boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Remove them from the water using tongs and set them on a clean towel to dry.
Step 6: Pouring the jelly
Once the jelly has reached the desired gel set, remove the saucepan from the heat. Carefully pour the hot jelly into the prepared jars, leaving about a 1/4-inch space at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars clean with a damp cloth, then place the lids on top and tighten the screw bands.
Step 7: Freezing the jelly
Allow the jars to cool at room temperature for about 1 hour. Afterward, transfer them to the freezer and let them freeze for at least 24 hours to ensure a proper set. The jelly can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 year.
Enjoy your homemade black raspberry freezer jelly on toast, biscuits, or even as a sweet topping for ice cream!
Adding Pectin for Thickening Black Raspberry Freezer Jelly
When making black raspberry freezer jelly, one key ingredient that helps to achieve the perfect consistency is pectin. Pectin is a natural substance found in fruits that acts as a thickening agent in jams and jellies.
To begin, you will need to gather the necessary ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of black raspberries
- 4 cups of granulated sugar
- 1 package of powdered pectin
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice
Once you have gathered your ingredients, follow these steps to add pectin to your black raspberry freezer jelly:
- Start by washing and sterilizing your canning jars and lids. Place them in a pot of boiling water for at least 10 minutes to ensure they are clean and ready to use.
- In a large saucepan, combine the black raspberries and lemon juice. Heat the mixture over medium heat until the berries start to break down and release their juices.
- Once the berries have softened, use a potato masher to gently crush them. This will help release more juice and flavor.
- Add the powdered pectin to the saucepan and stir well to combine. Make sure there are no clumps of pectin remaining.
- In a separate bowl, mix the granulated sugar with a small amount of the berry mixture until the sugar has dissolved.
- Pour the sugar mixture into the saucepan with the berries and pectin. Stir well to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Once it reaches a full boil, continue cooking for an additional minute.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and skim off any foam that may have formed on the surface.
- Ladle the hot jelly into the sterilized canning jars, leaving about 1/4-inch headspace at the top. Wipe the rims of the jars clean and screw on the lids.
- Allow the jars to cool at room temperature for about 1 hour before placing them in the freezer.
By adding pectin to your black raspberry freezer jelly, you will ensure that it sets properly and has a delightful, thick consistency. Enjoy your homemade jelly on toast, biscuits, or even as a topping for ice cream!
Preserving and Storing Black Raspberry Freezer Jelly
Making black raspberry freezer jelly is a great way to enjoy the fresh flavors of summer all year round. However, once you have made your jelly, it is important to know how to properly preserve and store it to ensure its freshness and flavor are maintained.
1. Properly Label and Date
When preparing to store your black raspberry freezer jelly, it’s important to properly label and date your jars. This will help you keep track of how long the jelly has been in the freezer, ensuring that you can use it within the recommended time frame.
2. Store in Freezer-Safe Containers
Black raspberry freezer jelly should be stored in freezer-safe containers to prevent freezer burn and maintain its quality. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids are an excellent option, as are plastic containers designed for freezer storage.
3. Leave Headroom for Expansion
It’s important to leave some headroom in your containers when filling them with black raspberry freezer jelly. This is because the jelly will expand as it freezes, and not leaving enough space can cause the container to crack or break.
4. Protect from Air and Moisture
Air and moisture can compromise the quality of your black raspberry freezer jelly. To protect it, make sure your containers are tightly sealed and free from any cracks or leaks. You can also place a layer of plastic wrap or foil directly on the surface of the jelly before sealing to create an extra barrier.
5. Maintain Proper Freezer Temperature
Black raspberry freezer jelly should be stored in a freezer set to 0°F (-18°C) or below. This temperature ensures that the jelly stays frozen solid and maintains its flavor and texture.
6. Thaw Properly before Use
When you’re ready to enjoy your black raspberry freezer jelly, make sure to thaw it properly before use. Transfer the desired amount of jelly from the freezer to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw slowly overnight. Avoid thawing it at room temperature, as this can lead to a loss of flavor and quality.
By following these tips, you can preserve and store your homemade black raspberry freezer jelly so that it stays fresh and flavorful for months to come.
Serving and Enjoying Black Raspberry Freezer Jelly
Once your black raspberry freezer jelly is set and ready, it’s time to serve and enjoy this delicious treat! Here are some tips to make the most of this homemade jelly:
Serving Suggestions:
1. Spread on Toast:
One of the simplest and most classic ways to enjoy black raspberry freezer jelly is by spreading it on a piece of fresh, toasted bread. The sweetness of the jelly perfectly complements the warm, crispy toast.
2. Sandwich Filling:
Take your sandwiches to the next level by adding a layer of black raspberry freezer jelly. It pairs wonderfully with cream cheese, peanut butter, or even a savory filling like turkey or ham.
Enhancements:
1. Toppings:
Add a dollop of black raspberry freezer jelly on top of your favorite yogurt, oatmeal, or ice cream to give them a burst of fruity flavor.
2. Baking:
Black raspberry freezer jelly can also be the star ingredient in various baked goods. Use it as a filling for thumbprint cookies, swirl it into cheesecake batter, or incorporate it into muffin or cupcake recipes.
3. Gifting:
If you’re feeling generous, consider packaging small jars of black raspberry freezer jelly as gifts for friends and family. They’ll appreciate the homemade touch and enjoy the jelly in their own unique way!
Remember, black raspberry freezer jelly should be stored in the freezer and thawed before serving. This way, you’ll have a cool and refreshing treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Get creative and experiment with different serving and pairing options to truly savor the delightful taste of black raspberry freezer jelly.
FAQ
What ingredients do I need to make black raspberry freezer jelly?
To make black raspberry freezer jelly, you will need the following ingredients: 4 cups of black raspberry juice, 7 cups of sugar, 1 package of powdered pectin, and 1/4 cup of lemon juice.
Can I use fresh black raspberries instead of black raspberry juice?
Yes, you can use fresh black raspberries instead of black raspberry juice. To do so, you will need to crush 8 cups of fresh black raspberries and strain the juice using a cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer.
How long does it take for the jelly to set in the freezer?
The jelly usually takes about 24 hours to set in the freezer. However, it is recommended to leave it in the freezer for at least 48 hours to ensure a firm set.
Can I use this recipe to make jelly with other fruits?
Yes, you can use this recipe to make jelly with other fruits. Simply replace the black raspberry juice with the juice of your desired fruit and adjust the amount of sugar accordingly.
