Homemade Vanilla Strawberry Jam

This homemade jam can be made with the first strawberries of the summer season. However, during any other season, feel free to use any strawberries for this recipe.

• 4 c. hulled strawberries
• 1 c. white sugar
• ⅔ c. vanilla sugar
• 1 vanilla bean, broken into 3 pieces
• ¼ c. lemon juice

In a medium sauce pan, put half of the strawberries, the white sugar, the vanilla sugar, the vanilla bean and the lemon juice. Set aside.

In a blender, puree the other half of the strawberries and add to the pot.

Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Turn the heat down and continue to simmer the mixture. While the jam is cooking, stir occasionally (squishing some of the strawberries, depending on how smooth you like your jam) for 15–20 minutes or until the mixture reaches 224°F on a thermometer.

Remove the sauce pan from the heat and let cool slightly. Divide jam between glass jam jars, pop the lid on and into the freezer to enjoy later.  Definitely leave one jar in the fridge to enjoy with a slice of homemade bread! Click here for a link to our Homemade White Loaf.