Freebies: Blackberry Jammin - Recipe

My nan went blackberry picking last September and we froze about 1KG of black berries with the intention of making jam with them. But with me at university and us wanting to do it as a family we've only just got around to doing it now. So here's a fool proof method of how to make blackberry jam. Just be warned you may get some purple stains on clothing that won't wash out. So not completely idiot proof me being an idiot.. (as you can see from the image wearing white pjamas wasn't the best of ideas really)

Makes 7-9 Small jars of jam. Which will last you the whole uni year, great on toast for breakfasts (if you get up before noon) and makes great thank you gifts if someone rescued you from a dodgy hangover. Also practically free all you have to buy is the jam sugar, just save old jars from honey, relish or even pasta sauces, and spend a few hours gathering berries with some friends. 

Ingredients: 
1KG of blackberries We used frozen ones my nan had picked from bushes near the canal so they were free. You could do the same in a few weeks time to save even more money. 
1KG bag of jam sugar (just make sure it's got pectin in the sugar). Pectin is a natural chemical found within fruits and affects the setting of the jams and the reaction with the sugar, the lower the pectin levels means the harder it is for the jam to set. It also makes the jam tarty and sour tasting.

Utensils: 
Some old empty jars that have been sterilized and cleaned. We placed ours in the oven on a low heat for 15 mins, we've used boiling water before but it can be dangerous and the jars have shattered before.   
A large spoon 
A large cooking pot


Step 1: Defrost the fruit or place the none frozen fruit in a large pot.

Step 2: Empty the 1KG of sugar to the fruit gradually mixing and stirring.

Step 3: Place the pot on the heat and bring to the boil.
Step 4: When boiled simmer gently for 12-15 mins until the berries begin to reduce, stirring from time to time.  
Step 5: Bring to the boil and boil for 4-6 mins until the berries have reduced and you begin to see seeds within the mixture again stirring when needed. 

Step 6:Take the pot off of the heat and leave to cool down for 10-15 mins. 
Step 7: The messy part when the jam has cooled down pour the jam into your clean glass jars. 
Step 8: Clean up your mess and leave the jam to set for 24 hours. 

Hope you enjoy your almost free jam.
Bekka