Carrot Cake Jam

Preserving Method: Water-Bath-Canning

Makes about 6 (8 oz) half-pint jars

Sweetened with crushed pineapple and spices, this sunny fall jam tastes just like carrot cake. It makes a perfect gift for any occasion.

You will need

• 1-1/2 cups finely grated peeled carrots  
• 1-1/2 cups chopped cored peeled pears  
• 1-3/4 cups canned pineapple, including juice 3 Tbsp bottled lemon juice  
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves 
• 6 Tbsp Ball® RealFruit Classic Pectin 
• 6-1/2 cups sugar 

Directions

1. Prepare boiling water canner. Heat jars and lids in simmering water until ready for use. Do not boil. Set bands aside.
2. Combine carrots, pears, pineapple with juice, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a 6- or 8-quart saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat, cover and boil gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and whisk in pectin until dissolved. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down, over high heat, stirring frequently.
3. Add sugar all at once and return to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary.
4. Ladle hot carrot cake jam into hot jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rim. Center lid on jar. Apply band and adjust until fit is fingertip tight. Place jar in boiling water canner. Repeat until all jars are filled.
5. Process jars for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude. Turn off heat; remove lid and let jars stand for 5 minutes. Remove jars and cool. Check lids for seal after 24 hours. Lid should not flex up and down when center is pressed.

Image Credit: @alysonsimplygrows