Homemade Eggnog Jam Recipe
Imagine the warm flavors of the holidays in a jar. That is exactly what this Homemade Eggnog Jam Recipe offers. It is sweet, creamy and packed with festive spices.
Ingredients
- 2 cups thick store-bought eggnog
- 3 cups white granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 box 1.75 oz powdered fruit pectin
Instructions
Mix the Base
- Pour your eggnog and fresh lemon juice into a large saucepan. Stir in the ground nutmeg and ground cinnamon. Whisk in the powdered pectin until the mixture is completely smooth.
Heat the Mixture
- Place the large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir the liquid constantly with your wooden spoon. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Watch closely so the bottom does not burn.
Add the Sugar
- Pour all the white sugar into the hot pan at once. Stir very quickly to dissolve the sugar completely. Keep stirring until the mixture reaches a full, rolling boil.
Boil and Set
- Let the sweet jam boil hard for exactly one minute. This step is very important for the pectin to work. Take the pan off the heat and stir in vanilla.
Test the Texture
- Drop a small spoonful of jam onto a cold plate. Wait one minute for it to cool down. Push the jam with your finger. If it wrinkles, it is ready.
Fill the Jars
- Carefully ladle the hot eggnog jam into your clean glass jars. Leave a little bit of empty space at the top. Wipe the jar rims clean and tightly screw lids.
Notes
- Use thick, full-fat eggnog for the absolute best creamy texture.
- Do not skip adding the lemon juice. It helps the fruit pectin set up properly.
- Watch the hot pot very closely. Dairy mixtures can bubble over very quickly.
- Keep a small plate in the freezer. This makes testing the jam's thickness much easier.
- Freshly grated nutmeg gives the jam a much stronger and better flavor.
- Always sterilize your glass jars before filling them with hot jam.