Homemade Jam favors

For our wedding, we wanted to make our own favors & also have it tie in with the southern theme since the wedding was in a venue that looked like a barn.  So, we decided to make strawberry & blueberry jam. This was also a great favor idea for us because it was portable and could be made early.

     All stacked up & ready to go!

   A close-up of the labels I made

                             
                                                          The Favor table sign

Here are the recipes we used:

Blueberry

1.Bring rectanlgular cake pan, half-full with water, to simmer.

2.Wash jars and screw bands in hot, soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over flat lids in saucepan off the heart.  Let stand in hot water until ready to use.  Drain well before filling.

3.Prepare fruit: you will need 3 pt. of blueberries
Wash and discard stems and crush blueberries in a food processor on pulse or chop NO NOT PUREE, you want your jam to have bits of fruit in it.

4.Measure exact amount of prepared fruit: you will need 4 cups of crushed blueberries

5.Measure exact amount of sugar: into a separate bowl.  Not not reduce the amount of sugar or use sugar substitutes for this recipe. You will need 4 cups of sugar

6.Stir 1 box pectin into fruit in saucepot.  Add 1/2 teaspoon butter or margarine to reduce foaming.

7. Bring mixture to full rolling boil (that means a boil that doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) on high heat, stiring constantly.

8.Stir in sugar quickly  Return to full rolling boil for exactly 1 minute, stiring constantly.  Remove from heat.  Skim off any foam.

9. Ladle quickly into prepared jars, filling within 1/8 inch of tops.  Wipe jar rims and threads.  Cover with two-piec lids.  Screw bands tighly.  Place jars on a flat surface upside down for 30 minutes while they cool.  After the jars cool, turn them right side up and you will notice "popping" sounds as the lids seal. Check seals by pressing the middle of lid with finger.  If the lid springs back it's not seals and refrigeration is necessary or you may use a brand new lid and retry. This recipe makes 6 cups.

10. Let stand at room temperature for 24 hrs store unopened jam in a cool, dry, dark place for up to 1 year.


Strawberry

Mostly the same recipe above except:

4 pt. strawberries

wash berries, discard stems, and crush berries.  I didn't use a food processor for the strawberries.  I cut the strawberries inot about 4-5 pieces and then crushed them as I stirred them in the pot.  They will start breaking down on their own from the heat & stirring. 

5 cups sliced strawberries
7 cups of sugar

Makes 8 cups of jam.


ENJOY!!! It's also great to have a helper to put the lids on, wipe the sides, and flip them upside down.  It would be great to get the fiance' involved :)


Update:

Here are some pro wedidng pics of the favors at the reception...

They were a big hit with the guests.