Apricot Jam Recipe

INSIDE : Check out this awesome Apricot Jam recipe made from fruit picked from our backyard! You can elevate your breakfast with this simple jam recipe. Enjoy the rich, fruity flavor of homemade goodness – it’s simpler than you think!

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This post has been updated since it’s original June 2014 publish date.

Capture summer’s sweetness! Learn how to make vibrant, fresh apricot jam from scratch. A simple recipe for a delightful homemade treat.

You know the saying, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade”?  Well, that’s exactly how I feel about our Apricot tree!  

In theory having fruit trees in your backyard sounds so dreamy.  In reality, they are a pain and as they drop their fruit, a huge mess.  

So after living in this house for eight years, when our apricots started to ripen on the tree, I gathered them up and made jam!  Folks, when life hands you apricots, make apricot jam!

Picking fresh Apricots

Apricots are typically ready to pick from the tree from late spring to early summer.  You can tell they are ripe when they turn a vibrant color (yellow to deep orange), they feel slightly soft when gently squeezed and have a sweet, fragrant aroma. 

On Saturday, I handed each of my kid’s a paper bag and off to the apricot tree we went.  We collected two full bags and there are pleeeenty still to gather and collect.

Dicing fresh apricots

Start by peeling your apricots and then cutting and dicing them into at least quarters. You will want about 4 cups of fresh apricots, pitted and chopped in total.

Add sugar and lemon juice

After dicing the apricots, it’s time to add in your sugar as well as the juice of a lemon. Add this mixture to a pan and stir well to combine. The sugar will start to draw out the juices from the apricots.

Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.

Reduce the heat to medium-low, maintaining a strong simmer.

Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for 25-35 minutes, or until the jam thickens.

Jam consistency

For a chunkier jam, simply mash the apricots with a potato masher directly in the pot as they cook.

For a smoother jam, use an immersion blender carefully in the pot or transfer the hot jam to a regular blender (in batches) and process until smooth. Be careful as the jam is very hot!

Jam and Bread

I’m not quite sure why it’s taken me eight years to do something more with all those apricots than just eat them plain.  I was always intimidated by the sound of “making jam” but honestly it was so simple!

My kids and I have been loving this apricot jam spread on toast rectangles. And especially since they helped pick the ripe fruit and helped me making the jam, it all feels a bit more special.

Do you make fruit jams?  I’ve got about 2,000 more apricots sitting on our tree, so please pass along any other ideas for an overflow of apricots.  

Fresh Apricot Jam recipe

Yield: 3-4 half-pint jars

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Additional Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Check out this awesome Apricot Jam recipe made from fruit picked from our backyard! You can elevate your breakfast with this simple jam recipe. Enjoy the rich, fruity flavor of homemade goodness – it’s simpler than you think!

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Ingredients

• 4 cups (about 2 lbs) fresh apricots, pitted and chopped
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1 medium lemon)

Instructions

1. In your large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine the chopped apricots, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine. The sugar will start to draw out the juices from the apricots.
2. Place the pot over medium-high heat.
3. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
4. Reduce the heat to medium-low, maintaining a strong simmer.
5. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, for 25-35 minutes.
6. For a chunkier jam, simply mash the apricots with a potato masher directly in the pot as they cook. For a smoother jam, use an immersion blender carefully in the pot, or transfer the hot jam to a regular blender (in batches) and process until smooth. Be careful as the jam is very hot!
7. Enjoy your homemade apricot jam!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 48 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 50Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 0gSugar: 13gProtein: 0g

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