Caramel Apple Jam Recipe: A Sweet Fall Spread You’ll Want on Everything
This delightful Caramel Apple Jam combines the tartness of fresh apples with rich caramel flavors and warm spices, creating a sweet fall spread perfect for toast, pancakes, or as a topping for desserts. Made with simple ingredients and cooked to a thick, luscious consistency, it’s a cozy seasonal treat you’ll want to enjoy all year round.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: About 3 cups of jam 1x
- Category: Spread
- Method: Stovetop cooking and optional canning
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 3 cups peeled and finely chopped apples (about 4 medium apples, preferably Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Sweeteners and Flavorings
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Other Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Prep the Apples: Peel, core, and finely chop the apples. Toss them in lemon juice to prevent browning and maintain brightness, ensuring the apples retain their natural pectin for better consistency.
- Begin the Caramel Base: In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, butter, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugars melt and the mixture starts bubbling and caramelizing, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add Apples and Spices: Stir chopped apples, cinnamon, and salt into the caramel mixture. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for about 30 to 35 minutes until the apples break down and the jam thickens significantly.
- Finish with Vanilla: Stir in the vanilla extract and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. For a smoother jam, blend the mixture with an immersion blender or mash the apples to your desired consistency.
- Store or Can: Ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars. Seal tightly and let cool. Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks or process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to preserve for long-term storage or gifting.
Notes
- Choose firm apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for better texture and natural pectin.
- Use sterilized jars and proper canning techniques to ensure shelf stability if storing long term.
- Adjust cinnamon and salt to taste for personal preference.
- For a chunkier jam, avoid blending at the end.
- Store refrigerated jam for up to 3 weeks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (30g)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 2.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 7mg
Keywords: Caramel apple jam, fall jam recipe, apple spread, homemade jam, caramel spread, autumn recipe, apple preserves
