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Best Homemade Blackberry Bay Vanilla Jam Recipe

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This unique blackberry jam combines fresh berries with fragrant bay leaves and vanilla bean for a layered, subtly savory-sweet flavor. It’s a small-batch, no-pectin recipe that’s perfect for gifting or enjoying on toast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh blackberries (about 20 ounces)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 fresh bay leaves
  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise with seeds scraped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt
  • ¼ teaspoon butter (optional, to reduce foaming)
  • 1 tablespoon bourbon or brandy (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your blackberries: Gently rinse in a colander, pick out stems or leaves, and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
  2. Start the maceration: In a heavy-bottomed pot, combine blackberries and sugar. Stir gently and let sit for 15 minutes to draw out juices.
  3. Add the aromatics: Toss in fresh bay leaves, split vanilla bean (pod and seeds), lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Add butter if using.
  4. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat to medium-low for a steady simmer.
  5. Cook and stir for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally at first and more frequently as it thickens. Mash berries halfway through if desired.
  6. Test for doneness: Place a small spoonful of jam on a chilled plate. If it wrinkles and doesn’t run when tilted, it’s ready.
  7. Remove the aromatics: Use tongs to fish out bay leaves and spent vanilla bean pod.
  8. Cool slightly for 5 minutes, then ladle jam into clean jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace.
  9. Seal and process (optional): For refrigerator jam, screw on lids and cool before refrigerating. For shelf-stable jam, process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

Notes

Fresh bay leaves are essential; dried won’t work. Don’t double the recipe as larger batches may overcook. The jam deepens in flavor after a day or two in the fridge. For a low-sugar version, reduce sugar to 1 cup and add 2 tablespoons Pomona’s pectin.

Nutrition

Keywords: blackberry jam, bay leaf jam, vanilla jam, small batch jam, no pectin jam, homemade jam, summer preserve

Find it online: https://nanarecipes.info/best-homemade-blackberry-bay-vanilla-jam-recipe/