Peach Freezer Jam

So you've got to try this!  This jam is pretty much fresh peach pie in a jar.  Yum!  I love it!  It's super simple and has less sugar than many jams.  When you use clear jel you're able to really cut back on the sugar.  You can buy clear jel from alpinefoodstorage.com.

10 cups mashed peaches
2/3 cup lemon juice
1 cup light karo syrup
2 teaspoons almond extract
4 cups sugar
2/3 cup clear jel

Prepare fresh peaches by peeling and removing the seed.  Mash peaches with a potato masher.  Don't blend, because you want small chunks.  Add lemon juice, karo syrup and almond extract.  In a separate bowl add the sugar and clear jel.  Stir together until combined, and sugar is dissolved.

Pour into pint or half-pint jars and keep in freezer.

Strawberry Freezer Jam

I like this freezer jam recipe because it has the fresh strawberry taste!  The clear jel thickens the jam, without having to add more sugar.

10 cups strawberries, slightly blended
1 cup Karo syrup
4 cups sugar
2/3 cup clear jel

Wash and remove stems from strawberries.  Place strawberries in the blender and slightly blend.  I like to leave a few small chunks of strawberries.  Measure 10 cups berries into a large bowl.  Add the corn syrup and stir.  In a separate bowl measure the sugar and clear jel and stir.  Gradually pour the sugar mixture into the strawberries, stirring constantly until sugar is dissolved.  Pour into pint jars and freeze.  Makes 8 pints.

I haven't been able to find clear jel lately.  I'm now using E-Z Gel that I purchased from Gygi's in Salt Lake City.  It works really well!  

When I use E-Z Gel, I use the following measurements:

5 cups strawberries, blended

1/2 cup Karo Syrup

2 cups sugar

10 tablespoons E-Z Gel

10 cups strawberries, blended

1 cup karo syrup

4 cups sugar

1 1/4 cups E-Z Gel

15 cups strawberries, blended

1 1/2 cups Karo Syrup

6 cups sugar

2 cups E-Z Gel