Jam making is a fun, hands-on way to spend an afternoon and a brilliant activity to get kids involved! From picking the fruit to cooking and finally tasting their creation, it’s not just about learning basic kitchen skills. It also weaves in maths and science, encourages patience, sparks creativity with jar label designs, and builds a deeper connection to nature along the way!
Making Jam isn’t as hard as it seems. Have a look at our super simple strawberry jam recipe from our Ultimate Cookery Programme perfect as a thoughtful gift for teachers, friends, family, or even the neighbour who fed your cats while you were away. Or keep it all for yourself... we won’t judge!
Ultimate Cookery Strawberry Jam Recipe
(Makes 1 jar)
Ingredients
- 250g Strawberries (Frozen)
- 250g Sugar
- 1/2 Juice of a Lemon
- 1/4 tsp Butter
- Splash of Water (if required)
Method
- Tip the strawberries into a pan. Pop it on your hob and turn the heat on to a medium heat. Let the strawberries warm for a few minutes, and add a splash of water to help defrost the strawberries
- Once softened, mash the strawberries with a potato masher until you have a nice strawberry pulp. Leave them to cook for a further 5 minutes.
- Stir in the sugar and lemon juice, and then bring it all to a boil.
- Boil the strawberry jam for 5-10 minutes, then remove it from the heat and test it to see if it’s ready.
- With a kitchen thermometer check whether the jam is ready. Its setting point is when it reaches 105C. **
- When your jam is ready, melt a little knob of butter on the top to give it a nice shine.
- Leave to cool for 5 - 10 minutes
- Carefully, pour the jam into your jars via the funnel. Put the lid on while warm and leave them to cool fully
**Alternatively if you’re making jam at home, before you start making the jam put a small plate in the freezer. Then when it gets to this stage to check the jam is ready, spoon a little of the hot jam onto the chilled saucer. Let it cool for a moment, then gently push it with your finger. If the surface wrinkles, your jam is ready and has reached its setting point. If it stays runny and doesn’t wrinkle, return the pan to the heat and boil for another 2–3 minutes. Then test again, removing the pan from the heat each time until you see those telltale wrinkles!
While strawberry jam is a classic, it’s easy and fun to mix things up. This time, the strawberries were swapped for juicy blackberries picked straight from the garden! The only change to the recipe above was the type of fruit, which also meant the splash of water wasn’t needed. If blackberries aren’t growing nearby, try foraging in local hedgerows, woodlands, or along canal paths where wild berries often thrive. Just be sure to avoid picking any fruit too close to the ground or near busy roads, as they may be exposed to contamination. Whether using garden-grown or foraged fruit, homemade jam is always a treat!
Want to find more exciting child freindly recipes like the ultimate strwaberry jam, or scones to go with them? Or if you fancy more savoury favourites such as bean chilli or vegetable samosas? Check out our Ultimate Cookery programme for children 8-12 during the summer holidays!