TOP 10 step-by-step recipes for homemade apricot jam for the winter

Homemade jam significantly surpasses store-bought products in quality and taste. Homemade jam also allows for significant savings, as store-bought fruit preserves are often quite expensive. It's worth examining the process of making apricot jam or preserves in detail, as this delicacy is rich in nutrients and essential vitamins.

General principles of preparation

Preparing apricot treats involves several distinct steps. First, consider the basic method for preserving apricots for the winter, and then focus on the recipes.

The principle of preparation is as follows:

• Fruits must be thoroughly washed and then dried to remove moisture.
• It is necessary to remove all the pits contained inside the apricot fruits without damaging the pulp.
• The fruits are ground in a meat grinder or blender until a paste forms (it may turn out liquid).
• For flavor, add orange or lemon juice (the citrus fruit is first passed through a juicer).

• In a saucepan, mix apricot puree, citrus juice and the required amount of sugar.
• Cook the mixture over medium heat for 40-50 minutes, stirring constantly and without covering with a lid.

During the cooking process, the mixture turns into a thick mixture, after which it can be added to baked goods, eaten, or canned and stored until winter.

This composition is perfect for baking, as apricot filling is considered one of the most popular in baking sweets.

Preparing the main ingredient

The main ingredient of jam is apricots (in the required quantities). It is recommended to make jam from fresh fruit, either home-grown or purchased in season. Let's look at the step-by-step preparation of the main ingredient:

• the required amount of apricots for making jam is collected or purchased;
• the fruits are thoroughly washed under clean water and then dried to remove any moisture;
• Before cooking, it is necessary to completely remove all the seeds present in the fruit;
• Subsequently, the crushed fruits are passed through a meat grinder or blender to form a puree;
• The required amount of sugar is prepared, as well as auxiliary fruits (you can use any fruits, to taste).

To make jam, you need to chop the apricots; otherwise, when prepared, you will end up with a traditional, but runny, jam.

It is recommended to use summer apricot varieties, as fruits purchased in winter may contain low-quality components and will also lack juice.

How to make apricot jam at home

There are many recipes for preparing this delicacy, but we only need to consider the most popular ones:

• a simple recipe for canning for the winter;
• cooking in a multicooker;
• jam in the oven;
• apricots through a blender;
• jam through a meat grinder;

• amber transparent jam;
• composition with orange;
• carrot treat;
• seedless jam;
• adding chocolate;
• pie filling.

In each case, the recipe includes the main stages of making the delicacy.

Cooked and thickened jam can be used not only for preserving, but also for everyday consumption, since such a delicacy can be stored for a long time under good conditions.

A simple recipe for the winter

If you're preserving for the coming winter, pour the thickened mixture into jars and seal them with metal lids. Then, let the jars cool to room temperature and transfer them to a storage facility with suitable conditions for canned goods.

In a multicooker

Modern multicookers are equipped with jam-making programs. All you have to do is place the pan with the ingredients in the appliance and wait for the treat to cook. It can then be jarred or used as a filling.

In the oven

If you want to make thick jam, place it in the oven after cooking, not on the stovetop. Here, the mixture will be exposed to high temperatures (200-230 degrees Celsius) for 40 minutes, after which it can be packaged in jars or eaten.

Through a blender

To prepare this apricot treat, you need to puree the fruit. It's not recommended to leave any uncut pieces, as this will negatively affect the flavor. A blender allows you to puree the fruit to the smallest components, but this creates a liquid mixture that thickens during cooking.

Through a meat grinder

Like a blender, a meat grinder is used to finely chop the fruit. It eliminates lumps and creates a liquid puree, which can then be boiled down to a thick mixture. The preparation process is step-by-step.

Amber transparent jam

The mixture's clarity can be achieved by thoroughly chopping the apricots, adding citrus fruits and the appropriate amount of sugar. After extensive chopping, the mixture is strained through a sieve or cheesecloth before mixing. The mixture is then simmered over gas until it thickens and develops a clear amber hue.

With oranges

To prepare, you'll need the core of a ripe orange, along with the required amount of apricots and sugar. Unlike lemon, the orange requires more finely chopped oranges and then strained through cheesecloth to prevent the orange peel from contaminating the mixture. This mixture can be cooked in 40 minutes over medium heat.

With carrots

Peeled carrots are used, which are then chopped in a meat grinder or blender. The preparation principle is similar to using citrus fruits. However, due to the different flavors of carrots, more sugar is added (the sweetener used varies according to individual taste).

Seedless

To obtain jam, all the pits must be removed from the fruit. To do this, the fruit is cut in half. Next, the pit is carefully removed so as not to damage the pulp. At this stage, any other skin imperfections present on the fruit are also removed.

Chocolate jam

Once prepared, the thick mixture is mixed with hot chocolate melted in a double boiler. The mixture is then blended with a mixer. The jam can then be eaten or used as a filling for baked goods. It is not recommended to preserve the mixture for the winter, as the chocolate may harden at low temperatures.

How to make apricot jam for pies

To use apricot puree as a pie filling, there's no need to cook it for a long time. Just before cooking, you can strain the mixture through cheesecloth. Reduce the cooking time to 30-35 minutes. Afterward, cool the mixture and use it as a filling for future pies.

How to store apricot jam

This delicacy should be stored in a cool place if it has been previously preserved. Basements and cellars are ideal for storage, as they are cool, protected from natural light, and have adequate humidity.

Unless you're canning, jam can be stored in a regular refrigerator. As a rule, prepared jam tolerates both indoor and outdoor storage well, but it may ferment at room temperature.

Treating yourself and your family isn't limited to store-bought treats; there's a wonderful opportunity to create a product that rivals commercial jams. Homemade apricot jam is rich in nutrients and vitamins that aren't lost during the cooking process.