Make the most of in-season produce by turning into simple and delicious strawberry jam- using a bread machine! It only takes 3 simple ingredients and tastes incredible!
Confession: I own a lot of kitchen gadgets. The majority of them have been generously gifted to us over the years and I’ll admit, they’ve been a lot of fun to use. We have the basic slow cooker and a $5 toaster that we love, but somehow we’ve also accumulated an , a , aand an .
Then there is the mac daddy of all the gadgets- our !
It’s the machine I said I’d never use, but now use once or twice a week at least. I’ve used it to make fresh, fluffy loaves of bread, dough for pizza, hamburger buns and most recently, I’ve ventured into its JAM setting.
After all, what else are you supposed to do with gallons of freshly picked strawberries?
Yes, this machine can make both bread and fresh jam and thinking about that kind of snack combo is enough to transform me into a heart-eye emoji.
The awesome thing is- it’s ridiculously easy. In fact, this post is much more of a COOL YOU CAN MAKE JAM IN A BREADMAKER post than a recipe because it only takes 3 ingredients.
Simple Strawberry Jam in the Bread Machine
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 mins
- Yield: 4 (4 oz) jars 1x
Description
Make the most of in-season produce, like fresh strawberries, by turning into simple and delicious jam- using a bread machine! It only takes 3 simple ingredients and tastes incredible!
Ingredients
- 3 cups of diced strawberries (or fruit of choice)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice.
- 2 Tbsp pectin (optional)
Instructions
- Cut strawberries in half and gently mash with a potato masher or fork.
- Add strawberries to the bread maker with sugar, lemon juice and pectin (if using).
- Hit jam setting.
- Once the cycle has ended, use baking mitts to pour contents into a bowl and pulse once or twice with a immersion blender.
- Pour into jars and let cool before putting on lids and transferring to the fridge.
- Usually the jam will thicken in the fridge, but if you prefer a thicker consistency, use the pectin.
Load it into the bread maker and set it to jam.
The jam cycle takes an hour and 20 minutes, but I love that after the 10 minute prep, it’s all hands off.
Now there are a few ways to get your ideal jam texture. You can mash the strawberries a bit before hitting go on the bread maker or you can use an immersion blender afterwards (briefly- just a few pulses) to make it a bit more smooth.
The jam will thicken overnight in the fridge, but will still be somewhat fluid, like a super thick strawberry syrup, perfect for topping biscuits, mixing in with peanut butter for a delicious sandwich or drizzling over yogurt or ice cream.
If you prefer your jam even thicker, you can add 2-3 Tbsp of fruit.
Fruit contains natural pectic (under ripe fruit contains more, so you may want to use a mix of ripe and slightly under ripe strawberries), but if you like your finished product stickier, you can certainly add pectin.
This fresh jam will last up to 3 weeks in the fridge, but I know it won’t last that long in our house. I’ve already pulled a Joey (any fellow FRIENDS lovers?) and have been eating it with a spoon.
I’m hoping to make a few more batches (each batch makes 2 cups of jam) before strawberry season slips away and can jars for future use/gifts.
And now I’m super excited about all the jam possibilities- blackberry… peach… hot pepper?!
What’s your favorite flavor of jam?
Sherry says
You make it look so easy and delicious! I love the picture you have of washing the strawberries.
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
I love making jam! Love this idea!!!
Jessica says
Apparently, I need to upgrade my bread machine. Mine is about 15 years old. 🙂 I love the idea of making our own jam…my boys would love that!
Brynn says
What a great use of the bread machine! I need to pull mine out and use it more. I was on a big kick then packed it away and it has been collecting dust. But it really is such an awesome kitchen item.
Jodi says
What kind of bread machine do you own? Can the jam be put in the freezer? I make freezer jam using the fruit pectin. It’s super easy too but your recipe calls for way less sugar-which is wonderful! Your pictures are beautiful!
Brittany Dixon says
Hey Jodi! I have a zojirushi bread machine (linked to above). You can put the jam in the freezer (just make sure the jars are freezer safe). If you try it, please let me know what you think! 🙂
Heather says
Yum! I definitely need to try this setting on our bread machine. This would be a fun project to do with the kids since everything tastes better when you’ve gotten to do it yourself. 😉
Erin says
Have you used the sous vide stick much more? Looks interesting but kind of spendy and slow… But yet I use a crockpot and love it, ha!
Brittany Dixon says
We have used it about 6-7 times. It actually is really awesome for chicken (keeps it super juicy!). Sometimes I forget about using it until last minute though. It’s certainly not a kitchen staple by any means, but if you enjoy cooking and gadgets, it’s pretty cool. I have enjoyed it mostly for steaks and chicken but hope to try it soon for veggies, like carrots. I’ve heard it works great!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
This looks awesome! I’ve never seen something like this! We give my son strawberry jelly every morning and I’ve been waiting for strawberry season patiently to make our own!
Danica @ It's Progression says
I had no idea there were bread machines that could make jam?! This makes me want a bread machine even more now.
Strawberry and raspberry are my favorite kinds of jam – my grandma always makes some from her garden produce every year and it’s the absolute best.
Rose says
I bought a WestBend breadmaker and it’s great. Makes jam really good
Joanne says
Cusinart makes an awesome bread maker that makes pizza dough, foccacia, so many breads and pretzels and yes JAM.
Heather@hungryforbalance says
Jam in the bread machine, WHAT?!? That is awesome!
Blueberry jam, hands down is my favorite!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
And now I need a bread machine… 😉
Lauren @ Oh Hey I Like That! says
Are you kidding me?! We’re going strawberry picking on Saturday in order to make jam, and there’s an easier way???? I’m sharing this with my mother RIGHT NOW!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Strawberry jam, particularly homemade, is my FAVORITE!!! Now I just need a bread maker… 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Mind BLOWN! I have a bread machine….which I’ve never used….and now I know what I’ll be using it for and it’s not bread 😉
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
Oh man this jam is my jam! It looks so yummy!
Jacklyn says
I share your love of the breadmaker but I think this new knowledge takes it to the next level. So excited to try this sometime this summer! I find that the ideas you share I often would never have thought of but they’re always also really practical. Just one of the reasons I got hooked to your blog!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
I am such a wannabe minimalist as well. It helped to live in a tiny dorm for a year- when I cam back, I got rid of boxes of things that I no longer used. It was seriously eye-opening. We have a bread machine as well, but I could not tell you the last time anyone in my family used it. I should take it out of the corner of the highest cabinet and put it to use! You are inspiring me Brittany.
Kristine says
anyone tried this without pectin… bread machine is running now with the berries sugar and lemon juice only…. I’m curious while I wait
Rebecca says
You inspired me to get a bread maker recently and I’m looking forward to using it for the first time! What’s your favourite bread recipe?
Brittany Dixon says
I actually don’t have a favorite bread recipe yet! I play around with different versions almost every time I make some. I will report back when I perfect it 😉
Chris says
Do you know what setting to use if your bread machine does not have jam setting?
Brittany Dixon says
Unfortunately it is not recommended to make jam in a bread machine that does not have the specific setting. The paddle movement and temperature needed for jam is difficult to replicate with any other setting. I wish I could help more!
Jeff says
I just made a calamatta olive loaf, substitute part of the water for brine from the jar. loved it.
Laura @FitMamaLove says
I had no idea you could do this!
Jen@Jpabstfitness says
Well, holy crap. I need a bread machine!
Marjorie says
Yummy! Chia seeds will thicken it up too, FYI.
Brittany Dixon says
Love that idea! I’ve seen chia jams and really want to try it. Was shooting for a purist version the first time 😉
George says
Pectin works well to thicken the jam. I always sprinkle a bit of it in the bread machine pan before I load the pan with all the ingredients.
Kathy C says
I think you mean tablespoons, not ounces, of pectin? My rather large jar is 4.5 ounces, I don’t think you want me to put that much in. I used 3 tablespoons and it came out pretty thick, but still spreadable. Will try 2 next time to see the difference. Thanks for the recipe!
Brittany Dixon says
Oh yes, thank you for catching the typo- I changed it! Thank you for the feedback as well- so helpful for other wanting to try it.
Stephanie says
I made this with kids and everyone loves it. We are going to pick raspberries next can the same recipe be used ?
Brittany Dixon says
I have not tried it with raspberries, but I would think it would work. Please let me know if you try it!
Stephanie says
I did try it…sort of and they only thing I would say is that it is very seedy other than that very tasty. I kept the amount of sugar and lemon juice the same but for the fruit I did 1/2 cup mango
1 cup strawberries
1 1/2 cups raspberries
This was a hit at my house but I can’t tell my oldest about the mango or he won’t eat it
Brittany Dixon says
Oh that’s good to know- thank you for telling me how it went!
Nadia says
I just tried this recipe last night. I love the fact that it uses less sugar than any other recipes I’ve found. I’m actually tasting the fruit and not just the sugar!
I must say it turned out not as thick as I was hoping for (comparing to a store-bought jam). What can I do to thicken it a bit?
Also, has anybody tried this recipe with honey, stevia, agave, etc?
Brittany Dixon says
So glad you liked it Nadia! Did you add gelatin? That will help thicken it. Try adding 2-3 Tbsp and adjusting from there.
Grammacat says
Excellent easy recipe! I love using my my bread machine for so many things. I used frozen strawberries. Used 2.5 tablespoons of liquid pectin and the jam came out good. The smell of cooking berries was making my mouth water. Will use this recipe again with other fruit. Thanks!
Rebecca Helms says
Thank you for this! So excited to try it. Do you know after we let it set in the refrigerator, do we have to keep it refrigerated or can it stay out until opened? Thank you
Brittany Dixon says
It should be stored in the fridge to keep it fresh. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Fatima says
Made this last night and it turned out great!! Soooo good
Brittany Dixon says
Wonderful!! Thank you for the feedback 🙂
Sue says
Wow! I just made this and it was delish. Thank you.
Brittany Dixon says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
Janet says
Hi..
I Have been making jam a long time now.. has always turned out yummy..never a problem.
My last 4 or 5 batches has all boiled over into the bread machine..even though now I’m only using 400gm of fruit.. and only makes 1 jar… the spillage wouldn’t fill a second jar .. I used to be able to use 550gm of fruit and make 3 jars of jam.
Only had my bread machine 2yrs..
And ideas would be welcome. Thanks
Linda Kay says
Janet, I have had this same thing happen. First time I tried making jam in our Cuisinart bread machine I made three cups which made three jars, a bit too much for my needs. Today I tried cutting the recipe in half for grape jelly. What a mess! It went all over the bread machine and burned on the elements. I have cleaned it the best I can. I can only assume the smaller batch is a problem. With so little ingredients the paddle throws the ingredients everywhere. Got only 2/3 of a small jar for all that effort. We are probably smarter to make the full size batches. I do wonder if we couldn’t put a piece of foil with holes over the top of the tub to keep this from happening?
Amy says
This is the best recipe for strawberry jam in a bread maker that I have found. I think my search is over! My family and I picked strawberries and we needed to figure out what to do with all of them. It was the perfect consistency and sweetness but still flavorful from the fruit. I highly recommend this recipe if you are searching for one.
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you, Amy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Cat says
Awesome strawberry jam recipe! My father loves strawberry jam and has had to cut back on his sugar consumption due to a mild stroke so I used monkfruit instead of sugar. He loved it! So do I. It’s wonderful on peanut butter sandwiches!!!!
Angela says
I was wondering, after making this in the bread machine, can this be made shelf stable with a water canner?
Brittany Dixon says
Unfortunately I don’t know enough about canning to answer that. I have kept jars in the freezer though and it’s fabulous.
Nadia says
No luck with making good jam with the bread machines. But yes, you can can it after that. I ended up making an actual jam maker. The results are better, and my bread machine is not a complete mess (it splashes outside the bread pan).
Nadia says
I meant I ended up buying an actual jam-maker by Ball. I absolutely love it.
Nadia says
I meant I ended up buying an actual jam-maker by Ball.
Steven Jackson says
Brittany,
Made my first batch tonight in the bread machine and it came out great! Thanks for the recipe!
Brittany Dixon says
So glad you like it! 🙂 Thanks for the review!
Kendall says
hello, is the pectin that is listed ingredients the low to no sugar pectin, liquid pectin or the regular pectin. thanks
Brittany Dixon says
Regular pectin 🙂
Iveta Upeniece says
Amazing I made with tangerines and it came out really nice. Thank you for sharing.
kevin VanKirk says
Hi, I have been canning jams and jelly for a last two. I just received a Hamilton Beach Bread maker with a jam setting. The question I have is after processing the jam or jelly in the bread maker. I like to know after putting the jam or jelly in 8oz. jars, would I be able to hot water bath them.
Brittany Dixon says
I have only kept this jam in the freezer (which works great!), so unfortunately I am not familiar enough with the canning process to answer your question. I don’t see why not, as the ingredients are the same as canning jams, but don’t want to claim authority in the topic, as I’m not sure.
Question says
Has anyone actually tried the recipe?
Diane Pedrosa says
Strawberry Rhubarb:)
TAMMY TRITT says
Can you use frozen fruit?
Brittany Dixon says
I have not tried it with frozen fruit so I can’t say, but if you try it, please let me know how it turns out.
Jessica says
This didn’t set for me. I even used pectin in the amount listed. It has a nice taste but super runny. :-/.
Judith says
How long does the jam usually? Thank you für the great recipe!!
Tonya Henderson says
Can you water bath for shelf storage?
Karen Third says
My bread machine dies not have a jam setting. What is the time?
Brittany Dixon says
1 hour and 20 minute on my machine.
Nancy Marino says
I received my first bread machine in the 80’s for Christmas. It sat on the shelf for 6 months- I was convinced that there was no possible way this could make an awesome loaf of bread- after all I’d been baking since I was a kid when our local power company, which had a test kitchen- taught many little kids from the projects how to make a complete meal including Parker House rolls. Wow was I surprised, Years later, but still decades ago I made my first strawberry jam. The first thing I learned was to put aluminum foil over the top so that I didn’t have to clean the whole inside of the bread machine. The second was that the jam was awesome and was so much easier than making it from scratch!
Kelly Rose says
can I can this recipe? any tips on how to do that?
Brittany Dixon says
You can can it using the water bath method. I recommend Ball’s Canning Book! https://amzn.to/3yeem9E
Kathy says
Can I hot water bath the jam right away when it’s hot?
Brittany Dixon says
You can! It’s called hot packing and is the preferred method. Just make sure the jars aren’t cold. Both should be hot.
Jenn says
very easy and turned out great!