Equipment
Large pot (15- 19 Liters or16–20 quart)
Water bath canner
Knife
Cutting board
Mandolin (Optional)
Large spoon or ladle
Canning funnel
Jar lifter
Lid lifter
Half-pint canning jars with lids and rings
Fine sieve or cheesecloth
Dishwasher or boiling water for jar sterilization
Ingredients
Plums (Damson, Gage, Pluot, or other ripe plums):
1.4 kg (3 lb) whole fruit
Yields approx. 2 litres / 8 cups prepared fruit
Water: 120 ml (½ cup)
Lemon juice (bottled or fresh): 60 ml (¼ cup)
Granulated sugar: 900 g (4½ cups)
No-sugar-needed pectin:
1¼ boxes (approx. 70 g / 2½ oz total)
Preparation
1. Prepare the fruit
Wash plums thoroughly. Remove stems, damaged fruit, and pits. Chop plums into halves or quarters.
2. Cook the plums
Place plums and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fruit is soft and releasing juice.
3. Extract the juice
Pour cooked fruit into a jelly bag or cheesecloth-lined sieve set over a bowl. Allow juice to drain naturally for at least 20 minutes. Do not press the solids if you want a clear jelly.
4. Prepare for canning
Wash jars and keep hot until ready to use. Place lids in hot (not boiling) water.
5. Heat the juice
Measure 1.5 litres / 6 cups of plum juice into a clean pot. Stir in lemon juice.
6. Add pectin
Mix pectin with 60 ml (¼ cup) of the sugar. Stir into the juice. Bring to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down.
7. Add sugar
Add remaining sugar all at once. Return to a full boil and boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
8. Test the set
Remove from heat. Test using the chilled spoon or plate method. If too loose, add additional pectin (1–2 tbsp), return to boil for 1 minute, and retest.
9. Jar the jelly
Ladle hot jelly into hot jars, leaving 6 mm (¼ inch) headspace. Wipe rims, apply lids, and screw bands fingertip-tight.
10. Process
Process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjust for altitude as required).
11. Cool and store
Remove jars and let cool undisturbed for 12–24 hours. Check seals. Store in a cool, dark place.
A clear, jewel-toned jelly made from ripe plums with a bright, clean fruit flavour. Perfect for toast, pastries, or cheese boards.