Recipe Collection: Fig Jam

Written by Beth

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that you can make jam in a bread machine!  I found this to be pretty exciting since I have a bread machine, which, coincidentally, sits unused a good part of the time since I have found I prefer to make my bread in the oven.  There’s just one catch: your bread machine must have a jam setting.  I have owned mine for about 7 years and had never noticed that it does have a jam setting!  Since I can’t seem to find any store-bought jam (even organic) that doesn’t contain sugar, I decided it was time to try making my own.

I set out to find some fruit to make my jam out of.  I knew I wanted something pretty sweet since I wouldn’t use sugar but only a little honey.  I decided to hit up my local farmer’s market, considering buying enough fresh, organic fruit at the grocery store to make a batch of jam would be costly.  I decided whatever fruit I could find at the farmer’s market would suffice and hoped there might still be some peaches around.

Instead, I found figs (un-sprayed!).  My kids and I love figs, so this was a good plan.  Plus, I asked for a deal since I would buy a bunch and got her to give me 15 bags for $10 instead of the usual $1 a piece.

Fig Jam

This recipe will make one batch in a 2-quart bread machine.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups of finely chopped figs, stems removed
• 1 cup filtered water
• 1 cup honey
• 4 tbsp. gelatin
• 1 lime

Directions:

Step 1: Rinse figs and cut off stems.  Remove any moldy, excessively squishy spots, although some squish is fine.

Step 2: Chop figs into small pieces (you don’t have to peel them).

Step 3: Add chopped figs, water, honey, and gelatin into the container of your bread machine.  Roll the lime on the counter for a minute, then chop the end off.  Use a knife to scoop the juice and pulp into the jam mixture.  Briefly stir all of the ingredients to begin the mixing process.

Step 4: Turn the bread machine to the jam setting and walk away.  🙂

My bread machine takes about an hour to complete the jam cycle.  It thoroughly mixes and cooks the jam (while I fold laundry… or nap!).

Step 5: When the cycle is complete, let it cool for a few minutes before using or storing.

Once the jam is cooled to a comfortable temperature, you scoop it into whatever jars you like.  Feel free to can it using the water bath method or store it in the refrigerator or freezer-safe containers for later.

What’s your favorite kind of jam?  Have you ever made jam in a bread machine before?