Roasted Strawberry Jam

Last year my family was a little disappointed when no strawberry jam showed up in my stockpile of jars full of glistening spreadable fruit. With all of the unique flavours that I try to create, their favourite is always that simple summer classic. So this year, I decided to kick off my jamming season with the one flavour I knew they all really wanted – plain old strawberry jam.

Except, you know me, I wasn’t happy making just a regular, run of the mill, strawberry jam. This had to be a classic amped up. Simple yet elevated. Enter Roasted Strawberry Jam.

Now, let me tell you, this jam has so much flavour! It has a richer more concentrated fruit flavour then your typical strawberry jam, while also being less sweet. It is a lower sugar jam, which means it will have a looser set and taste like real fruit, not candied fruit. I love both versions of jam for different reasons and different purposes. But, I do have to say simply based on ease of preparation this one wins, hands down.

On the day I made this jam I had a million errands to run. So, I mixed up some strawberries and sugar, tossed them in the oven and let them slow roast for 2 hours while I was out doing my thang. When I came home the house smelled incredible and my jam was ready to be pureed and put away in the fridge. How easy and carefree is that? While you’re out enjoying your day, it’s doing all of the work for you. Isn’t that what summer’s all about? Taking it easy. Enjoying the simple moments. Or in my case, making jam while simultaneously running errands so that you can hopefully have a little less on your to-do list in the afternoon, so that you can take the time to have a lazy picnic lunch with your kids, just because the front yard is looking so darn gorgeous and you want to take advantage of.it.all. and enjoy these months of green, sunshine, and flowers to their absolute fullest. For this reason, this jam, is summer in a jar for me, and why it will be made in my home over and over again.

Roasted Strawberry Jam

Makes: 1.5 cups

If you have a lot of berries that need using up you can double the amount and bake it in a large rimmed baking sheet. Divide into tupperware or jars and freeze.

Ingredients
  • 1 quart strawberries, hulled and quartered (1.5 pounds or 4 cups, sliced)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 vanilla bean, split and seeded (or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract), optional
Instructions
  1. Mix together all ingredients in a 9×13 baking dish. Let sit while you preheat the oven to 250ºF. Once preheated, transfer the dish to the oven and let roast for two hours, mixing once or twice if desired – the berries should be very syrupy, soft and slightly shrivelled. Let cool to room temperature. Remove vanilla pod, if using. Transfer to a blender or food processor and processes until the consistency that you prefer (or mash with a potato masher). Transfer to a jar and store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for longer storage.

Adapted from Familystyle Food.

  • Millie l Add A Little
    June 6, 2014

    This looks amazing! I bet roasted really brings out their amazing sweet flavour!

  • Janet Trapp
    June 7, 2014

    Can this be canned?
    TIA
    ~God bless

  • Cheri | Kitchen Simplicity
    June 8, 2014

    It should be safe for canning although I'm not sure of the processing times.

  • Karen
    June 9, 2014

    Hi, I remember seeing a recipe for Stone Fruit Freezer Jam. I believe it was off of your website (about a year ago). I don't see it in your index though, so I'm wondering, is it possible you had the recipe but removed it? Just wondering, because I was thinking of trying this recipe…

  • Cheri | Kitchen Simplicity
    June 9, 2014

    Hi Karen! In the New Year my blog crashed and I lost all of my recipes. It's been taking me a while to get them all up as there are hundreds of recipes, but I have just put that post back up for you! 🙂 https://kitchensimplicity.com/stone-fruit-freezer-jam/ Enjoy!

  • Kathy Kirk Hanson
    June 10, 2014

    Wonder if this would work in your crockpot?

  • Cheri | Kitchen Simplicity
    June 10, 2014

    I think that should work just fine. I would start it on low and check on it after the two hours are up to see if it needs a longer time or higher temperature.

  • Karen
    June 10, 2014

    THANK YOU!!! 🙂

  • meemerjones
    June 19, 2014

    Hi Cheri,
    Can I use frozen strawberries for this? And if so should I thaw them first or put everything in the oven as is and increase the roasting time?
    Thanks.

  • Cheri | Kitchen Simplicity
    June 19, 2014

    I think it should work. I would let them thaw first at room temperature in a strainer so that any excess juices from the thawing process don't make the jam too runny, then I would cook as directed. I don't think you would need to add any time to the roasting time as long as they are thawed all the way through and drained. If you give it a try let us know how it goes!

  • meemerjones
    June 19, 2014

    Thanks Cheri. Didn't need to drain them (they were frozen a couple of days ago) and in the oven now. Will let you know the results. Sure smells good already.

  • meemerjones
    June 20, 2014

    Jam looks and tastes good. My berries weren't that sweet so next time I might add a bit more sugar. Thanks for the recipe. It was way too easy!

  • Cheri | Kitchen Simplicity
    June 21, 2014

    Good to know! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

  • Nicole White
    June 22, 2014

    has anyone tried adding cornstarch to thicken?

  • angelabaca
    July 24, 2014

    Brilliant! Love your tips.

  • Micaella Lopez
    November 10, 2014

    Strawberry jam is my absolute favorite, I adore this!
    user voted Paver Contractor website

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