“Better than Nutella” Plum Jam Canning Recipe

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This plum jam canning recipe combines tradition and experimentation. Inspired by the canning traditions of Western Ukraine, where homemade jam recipes often feature nuts, this plum jam pays homage to our Eastern European heritage. The experimentation part comes from our desire to break free from our once-unhealthy Nutella obsession. The result is a luscious jam that is tastier and healthier than other sugary spreads out there. Farewell, Nutella! We don’t miss you in the slightest.

Plums in this plum jam canning recipe

You may have read about our recent fruit adventure: we couldn’t resist the temptation and got ourselves a huge crate of perfectly ripe Santa Rosa plums from our local farmers’ market. All for an unbeatable price of $10! We ended up with a whopping 12 kg (26.5 lb) of plums that needed our attention. The outcome was four delicious Santa Rosa plum jam recipes for canning that we’re excited to share with you!

Feel free to use any red plums you find; they’ll work just as well. This recipe will be great if not better if you use black plums instead. You don’t have to wait for your plums to become overly ripe, but if you’re like us and have a surplus of overripe plums, making this plum jam, is a fantastic way to rescue the fruit from going to waste.

Chocolate Plum Jam

A unique blend of fruit and nut flavors sets this plum jam canning recipe apart from traditional jams, making it a perfect alternative to store bought chocolate spreads and sugary jam. Meant for a morning toast, this luscious homemade spread can be used on a variety of pastries, as a topping for desserts, or even as a unique filling for pastries.

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes minutes

Resting time 2 hours hours

Equipment

• large pot with a heavy bottom
• potholders, oven mitts, trivets for hot dishes
• wooden spoon or silicone spatula

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Ingredients

• 7 lbs. red or black plums (3.2 kg)
• 2.5 cup sugar
• ½ cup cacao powder
• 1 cup walnuts

Instructions

Preparing Ingredients for Plum Jam:

• Start by thoroughly washing the plums and removing any stems, keeping the skin on but discarding any bruised areas.
• Remove the pits from the plums and slice them into larger pieces.
• Wash the walnuts, transfer them into an appropriate pan, and set aside

How to Cook Plum Jam:

• In a wide, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the sliced plums with sugar.
• Allow the plums to macerate for 2 hours or overnight to dissolve the sugar and let the plums release their juices.
• Place the pot over medium heat, bringing the plums to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer your plum jam for 30 minutes.
• Simultaneously, as your jam cooks, start with the walnuts. Pour hot water over the walnuts and place the pan over medium heat. Lower the heat once the water boils and simmer the walnuts for 20 minutes.
• Drain the walnuts and add them to the plum jam mixture along with the measured cocoa powder. Stir everything together and continue cooking your plum jam for an additional 20 minutes, for a total cooking time of 50 minutes.
• Stir your jam regularly to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
• Ensure the jam is boiling as you proceed to the next step, and have your Mason jars ready for immediate canning of your delicious plum jam preserve.

Yield

The specified in this jam recipe quantity of ingredients should yield enough jam to fill four 8 oz. (250 ml.) mason jars. The final yield may vary based on your preferred level of doneness.

Preserve Type Jam

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Frequently asked questions

Does plum and chocolate go together?

Indeed, the natural sweetness and tartness of plums complements the rich and slightly bitter flavors of chocolate exceptionally well. This pairing is often found in various desserts, such as plum and chocolate tarts, cakes, and now in our chocolate plum jam. The result is a well-balanced contrast of flavors that many people find appealing.

It’s worth trying for yourself to see if you enjoy the combination.

What are other plum jam combinations available?

There are many plum jam recipes to choose from. Some stick to the traditional plums, sugar, or pectin, while others get creative with spices and different fruits. Check out recipes like spiced plum jam with brandy, which includes raisins, or our plum jam recipe with brandy and walnuts for some interesting options

Is plum jam good for you?

Plum jam, like other fruit jams, can offer both benefits and drawbacks, depending on how it’s consumed and the specific ingredients used. Benefits of plum jam include antioxidants and fiber. The drawbacks, especially in store bought jams include a significant amount of added sugar. If you’re concerned about the sugar content, consider making your own jam. Additionally, pairing plum jam with whole, nutrient-dense foods can be a way to enjoy its flavor without overindulging in sugar. Plum jam can make healthier foods like plain yogurt or whole-grain toast more palatable, potentially encouraging consumption of these nutritious items. This is where plum jam canning recipe can be of great help.

How long should I cook plum jam?

The answer depends on your recipe. However, you can use 40 minutes as an average time guide to make a plum recipe.

Can I scale this plum jam canning recipe up or down?

Yes, you can scale up or down this plum jam recipe. Take great care to keep the ratios of ingredients the same. Make sure to use a larger and wider pot for cooking a larger batch of jam. The pot should allow you to maintain a jam layer no deeper than 5 inches. The cooking time of your jam may vary slightly due to the increased volume, but it should remain relatively consistent with the original recipe. Keep an eye on the consistency and follow the set test (usually a spoon test) to determine when the jam is ready.