We may be getting a little ahead of ourselves but you know what makes an amazing holiday gift?  Homemade gifts in jars.  First of all, you get to pick out the cutest jars, and there are endless possibilities to decorate to your taste and recipient’s preferences.  But the second best part is undoubtedly whipping up the content of the jars.  It’s personal, fun to create, and an epic win to hand out something straight from your kitchen instead of yet another set of scarves & gloves. So, before you get invited to that Halloween party or Thanksgiving dinner, make sure you’ve got a few jars of this delicious jam in your pantry!

When we’re not preparing your HelloFresh meals in our test kitchen, we’re messing around with all sorts of other fun recipes and ingredients.  What’s better than a delicious and  sweet jam on a nice slice of toast or shortbread cookie?  So get moving to your local flea market and buy the coolest containers you can find because we’re filling them with fruit preserves and fruit-fresh goodness.

Another great thing about jam is the versatility.  Do you love blueberry and lemon flavors?  Make it a jam.  For demonstration purposes, we’re looking at a recipe with blackberries but don’t feel tied down to anything.  We love the rich flavor and deep black-purple color and, with an added hint of cinnamon and allspice, there is something very autumnal about it.  Thanks to AllRecipes for this delicious treat!

Blackberry Jam

Ingredients

• 4 cups blackberries
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 Tbs cornstarch
• 1/2 Tbs of lemon juice
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Pinch of allspice

Instructions:

1. Mash blackberries in a saucepan with a potato masher. Stir in sugar until juices form; place about 1 tablespoon blackberry juice in a small bowl and stir in cornstarch. Pour cornstarch mixture into saucepan.
2. Bring berries to a boil, stirring often, until jam is thickened, about 15 minutes. Stir in cinnamon and allspice. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Transfer jam to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate until chilled. Stir in lemon juice.

So what’s your jam?  Comment below and let us know what you create!